A company officer who is not a director is authorized to perform which of the following duties?
a. Terminate the company’s external audit firm.
b. Remove a director for failure to exercise reasonable supervision.
c. Declare dividends to shareholders.
d. Enter into a contract with a vendor of computers for the company.
Answer:D
Choice “d” is correct. A corporate officer has the authority to enter into contracts (e.g., with computer vendors) and act on behalf of the corporation in the ordinary course of business.
Choice “a” is incorrect. The audit committee may terminate or recommend termination of the company’s external auditors to the board of directors and its shareholders.
Choice “b” is incorrect. The board of directors may remove a director with cause (e.g., failure to exercise reasonable supervision) or without cause.
Choice “c” is incorrect. The board of directors of a company has the sole discretion to declare dividends for its shareholders.