What Is A Corporate Secretary And Why Am I A Panelist At Their Annual Meeting?

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been traveling a lot and speaking when I stop. The invitations have been flowing in and I’ve had more than one event, it seems, each and every month since January.

I usually point to the beginning of my column for American Banker last October as the inflection point. What was a steady stream of occasional speaking engagements prior has now become something I must constantly juggle with writing and other commitments. I’m not complaining. I like getting out once and a while even if my Rottweiler Rosie does not seem to like the extended absences.

The Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance professionals will gather for its 66^th annual National Conference at JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC from July 11-14. Conference Chairman Douglas Chia, Corporate Secretary for Johnson & Johnson, and his team are planning an exciting mix of sessions on “The Shape of Things to Come” in governance for public, private and non-profit companies of all sizes.

I have been asked to join a panel, “Auditors, the Board and Shareholders: An Evolving Relationship,” scheduled for Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 10:30 – 11:45 am. I’m joined by Kayla Gillan of PwC, Guy Jubb of Standard Life, a UK based investment advisor and Marilyn Mooney of Fulbright & Jaworski. The panel will be moderated by Ken Bertsch, President of the Society. Some of the topics we’ll be talking about:

The Auditor’s Responsibility to Report Illegal Acts Up and Out

Comments on US and European Audit Reform

Auditor Independence – The KPMG and GE Tax Work Case

US Auditor Rotation Proposals

Audit Reform Going In Circles

Auditor Independence and the OCC/FED Foreclosure Reviews

Auditor Independence and the Social Media IPOs

Auditors and their Role In Corporate Investigations – The Lehman Case