Regarding available financial information
Hello Phil,
Can I suggest to the CCWG that a subgroup be formed to look at the perceived lack of accountability mechanisms within ICANN’s current financial operations and reporting. It is absolutely critical that these are enhanced within a new membership model, especially with the huge increase in revenues from TLD Registries & Registrars.
This is an area where ICANN is certainly working to improve and achieve international best practice. We are now following the practices of publicly listed companies in the USA. The annual tax filing is just one of the reports made public (https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/fy-2014-form-990-31mar15-en.pdf). There is a quarterly financial report, and also a public quarterly call. You would be welcome to join such calls and ask any questions about the finances. There are annual audited accounts that are public (e.g https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/financial-report-fye-30jun14-en....), and there are also annual reports that include financials (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/annual-report-en ). See: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/current-en for the financial reports. The budget also sets out in detail the budget allocated to each project in the plan. See: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-opplan-budget-fy15-01dec... The status of all current projects is available at: https://features.icann.org/plan/projects The staff remuneration policy is set out at: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/remuneration-practices-fy15-01no... The Board approves via public resolutions the salaries for officers of the company. See: https://features.icann.org/appointment-officer for an example. The status of all current projects is available at: https://features.icann.org/plan/projects Happy to hear from you on what additional levels of information and transparency that you are seeking. Perhaps you could provide links to organizations of a similar size to ICANN that have more detailed public reporting. Examples are always helpful. I know that the financial system is being evolved over time - its current implementation wasn't really set up for full project level reporting - ie where staff use timesheets, and assign all expenses down to the project level - but that is certainly an option going forward. Regards, Bruce Tonkin
I know that the financial system is being evolved over time - its current implementation wasn't really set up for full project level reporting...
Oh come on, Bruce, this has been the same excuse for nearly a decade now. Back in 2008 when I was on staff I asked for budget codes for translation in different languages so we could keep a proper track of expenditure. After a month of chasing, I was told that it was not possible to do that as the system ICANN ran wasn't able to do full project reporting. But ICANN's CFO Kevin Wilson said that there were introducing a new system that would make it possible next year. Four years later, at I believe Toronto in October 2012, I asked the new CFO at an open finance session a series of simple questions about ICANN's finances and was told that it wasn't possible to provide that sort of information because ICANN's finance systems were outdated and not able to provide project-based information. But Xavier Calvez assured the room ICANN was introducing a new system and in the next year it would be possible to provide that sort of information. It is now three years later and ICANN - and you - are still trotting out the same line. How long does it take to introduce a decent finance system? And why as a Board member are you prepared for ICANN to continue to run poor financial systems year after year? And not only that but actually defend the lackadaisical attitude to proper financial reporting. You have been a Board member, Bruce, for eight years now. If you think that it is fine that ICANN can't or won't introduce a half-decent financial reporting system and if you believe that the current level of financial reporting is sufficient then perhaps you are exactly why the ICANN community needs to ability to get rid of underperforming directors. Kieren On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 5:09 PM, Bruce Tonkin < Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au> wrote:
Hello Phil,
Can I suggest to the CCWG that a subgroup be formed to look at the perceived lack of accountability mechanisms within ICANN’s current financial operations and reporting. It is absolutely critical that these are enhanced within a new membership model, especially with the huge increase in revenues from TLD Registries & Registrars.
This is an area where ICANN is certainly working to improve and achieve international best practice.
We are now following the practices of publicly listed companies in the USA. The annual tax filing is just one of the reports made public ( https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/fy-2014-form-990-31mar15-en.pdf ).
There is a quarterly financial report, and also a public quarterly call. You would be welcome to join such calls and ask any questions about the finances.
There are annual audited accounts that are public (e.g https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/financial-report-fye-30jun14-en....), and there are also annual reports that include financials ( https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/annual-report-en ).
See: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/current-en for the financial reports.
The budget also sets out in detail the budget allocated to each project in the plan.
See: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-opplan-budget-fy15-01dec...
The status of all current projects is available at: https://features.icann.org/plan/projects
The staff remuneration policy is set out at: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/remuneration-practices-fy15-01no...
The Board approves via public resolutions the salaries for officers of the company. See: https://features.icann.org/appointment-officer for an example.
The status of all current projects is available at: https://features.icann.org/plan/projects
Happy to hear from you on what additional levels of information and transparency that you are seeking. Perhaps you could provide links to organizations of a similar size to ICANN that have more detailed public reporting. Examples are always helpful.
I know that the financial system is being evolved over time - its current implementation wasn't really set up for full project level reporting - ie where staff use timesheets, and assign all expenses down to the project level - but that is certainly an option going forward.
Regards, Bruce Tonkin
_______________________________________________ Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
These are not "poor financial systems" issues but accountability (and transparency) ones. What can we do in CCWG, concretely? el -- Sent from Dr Lisse's iPhone 6
On Jul 10, 2015, at 19:08, Kieren McCarthy <kieren@kierenmccarthy.com> wrote:
I know that the financial system is being evolved over time - its current implementation wasn't really set up for full project level reporting...
Oh come on, Bruce, this has been the same excuse for nearly a decade now.
Back in 2008 when I was on staff I asked for budget codes for translation in different languages so we could keep a proper track of expenditure. After a month of chasing, I was told that it was not possible to do that as the system ICANN ran wasn't able to do full project reporting.
But ICANN's CFO Kevin Wilson said that there were introducing a new system that would make it possible next year.
Four years later, at I believe Toronto in October 2012, I asked the new CFO at an open finance session a series of simple questions about ICANN's finances and was told that it wasn't possible to provide that sort of information because ICANN's finance systems were outdated and not able to provide project-based information.
But Xavier Calvez assured the room ICANN was introducing a new system and in the next year it would be possible to provide that sort of information.
It is now three years later and ICANN - and you - are still trotting out the same line. How long does it take to introduce a decent finance system?
And why as a Board member are you prepared for ICANN to continue to run poor financial systems year after year? And not only that but actually defend the lackadaisical attitude to proper financial reporting.
You have been a Board member, Bruce, for eight years now. If you think that it is fine that ICANN can't or won't introduce a half-decent financial reporting system and if you believe that the current level of financial reporting is sufficient then perhaps you are exactly why the ICANN community needs to ability to get rid of underperforming directors.
Kieren
On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 5:09 PM, Bruce Tonkin <Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au> wrote: Hello Phil,
Can I suggest to the CCWG that a subgroup be formed to look at the perceived lack of accountability mechanisms within ICANN’s current financial operations and reporting. It is absolutely critical that these are enhanced within a new membership model, especially with the huge increase in revenues from TLD Registries & Registrars.
This is an area where ICANN is certainly working to improve and achieve international best practice.
We are now following the practices of publicly listed companies in the USA. The annual tax filing is just one of the reports made public (https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/fy-2014-form-990-31mar15-en.pdf).
There is a quarterly financial report, and also a public quarterly call. You would be welcome to join such calls and ask any questions about the finances.
There are annual audited accounts that are public (e.g https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/financial-report-fye-30jun14-en....), and there are also annual reports that include financials (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/annual-report-en ).
See: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/current-en for the financial reports.
The budget also sets out in detail the budget allocated to each project in the plan.
See: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-opplan-budget-fy15-01dec...
The status of all current projects is available at: https://features.icann.org/plan/projects
The staff remuneration policy is set out at: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/remuneration-practices-fy15-01no...
The Board approves via public resolutions the salaries for officers of the company. See: https://features.icann.org/appointment-officer for an example.
The status of all current projects is available at: https://features.icann.org/plan/projects
Happy to hear from you on what additional levels of information and transparency that you are seeking. Perhaps you could provide links to organizations of a similar size to ICANN that have more detailed public reporting. Examples are always helpful.
I know that the financial system is being evolved over time - its current implementation wasn't really set up for full project level reporting - ie where staff use timesheets, and assign all expenses down to the project level - but that is certainly an option going forward.
Regards, Bruce Tonkin
_______________________________________________ Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
_______________________________________________ Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
I echo Eberhard's question. Kieran's tale seems to show one (significant) example of all the tools we seem to have at our disposal failing to deliver change. What do others think? Jordan On 11 July 2015 at 18:16, Dr Eberhard W Lisse <el@lisse.na> wrote:
These are not "poor financial systems" issues but accountability (and transparency) ones.
What can we do in CCWG, concretely?
el
-- Sent from Dr Lisse's iPhone 6
On Jul 10, 2015, at 19:08, Kieren McCarthy <kieren@kierenmccarthy.com> wrote:
I know that the financial system is being evolved over time - its current implementation wasn't really set up for full project level reporting...
Oh come on, Bruce, this has been the same excuse for nearly a decade now.
Back in 2008 when I was on staff I asked for budget codes for translation in different languages so we could keep a proper track of expenditure. After a month of chasing, I was told that it was not possible to do that as the system ICANN ran wasn't able to do full project reporting.
But ICANN's CFO Kevin Wilson said that there were introducing a new system that would make it possible next year.
Four years later, at I believe Toronto in October 2012, I asked the new CFO at an open finance session a series of simple questions about ICANN's finances and was told that it wasn't possible to provide that sort of information because ICANN's finance systems were outdated and not able to provide project-based information.
But Xavier Calvez assured the room ICANN was introducing a new system and in the next year it would be possible to provide that sort of information.
It is now three years later and ICANN - and you - are still trotting out the same line. How long does it take to introduce a decent finance system?
And why as a Board member are you prepared for ICANN to continue to run poor financial systems year after year? And not only that but actually defend the lackadaisical attitude to proper financial reporting.
You have been a Board member, Bruce, for eight years now. If you think that it is fine that ICANN can't or won't introduce a half-decent financial reporting system and if you believe that the current level of financial reporting is sufficient then perhaps you are exactly why the ICANN community needs to ability to get rid of underperforming directors.
Kieren
On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 5:09 PM, Bruce Tonkin < Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au> wrote:
Hello Phil,
Can I suggest to the CCWG that a subgroup be formed to look at the perceived lack of accountability mechanisms within ICANN’s current financial operations and reporting. It is absolutely critical that these are enhanced within a new membership model, especially with the huge increase in revenues from TLD Registries & Registrars.
This is an area where ICANN is certainly working to improve and achieve international best practice.
We are now following the practices of publicly listed companies in the USA. The annual tax filing is just one of the reports made public ( https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/fy-2014-form-990-31mar15-en.pdf ).
There is a quarterly financial report, and also a public quarterly call. You would be welcome to join such calls and ask any questions about the finances.
There are annual audited accounts that are public (e.g https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/financial-report-fye-30jun14-en....), and there are also annual reports that include financials ( https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/annual-report-en ).
See: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/current-en for the financial reports.
The budget also sets out in detail the budget allocated to each project in the plan.
See: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-opplan-budget-fy15-01dec...
The status of all current projects is available at: https://features.icann.org/plan/projects
The staff remuneration policy is set out at: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/remuneration-practices-fy15-01no...
The Board approves via public resolutions the salaries for officers of the company. See: https://features.icann.org/appointment-officer for an example.
The status of all current projects is available at: https://features.icann.org/plan/projects
Happy to hear from you on what additional levels of information and transparency that you are seeking. Perhaps you could provide links to organizations of a similar size to ICANN that have more detailed public reporting. Examples are always helpful.
I know that the financial system is being evolved over time - its current implementation wasn't really set up for full project level reporting - ie where staff use timesheets, and assign all expenses down to the project level - but that is certainly an option going forward.
Regards, Bruce Tonkin
_______________________________________________ Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
_______________________________________________ Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
_______________________________________________ Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
-- Jordan Carter Chief Executive *InternetNZ* 04 495 2118 (office) | +64 21 442 649 (mob) jordan@internetnz.net.nz Skype: jordancarter *A better world through a better Internet *
Open data Sébastien Bachollet +33 6 07 66 89 33 Blog: http://sebastien.bachollet.fr/ Mail: Sébastien Bachollet <sebastien@bachollet.com> De : <accountability-cross-community-bounces@icann.org> on behalf of Jordan Carter <jordan@internetnz.net.nz> Date : samedi 11 juillet 2015 21:27 À : Dr Eberhard W Lisse <el@lisse.na> Cc : Lisse Eberhard <directors@omadhina.net>, CCWG Accountability <accountability-cross-community@icann.org> Objet : Re: [CCWG-ACCT] Regarding available financial information
I echo Eberhard's question. Kieran's tale seems to show one (significant) example of all the tools we seem to have at our disposal failing to deliver change.
What do others think?
Jordan
On 11 July 2015 at 18:16, Dr Eberhard W Lisse <el@lisse.na> wrote:
These are not "poor financial systems" issues but accountability (and transparency) ones.
What can we do in CCWG, concretely?
el
-- Sent from Dr Lisse's iPhone 6
On Jul 10, 2015, at 19:08, Kieren McCarthy <kieren@kierenmccarthy.com> wrote:
I know that the financial system is being evolved over time - its current implementation wasn't really set up for full project level reporting...
Oh come on, Bruce, this has been the same excuse for nearly a decade now.
Back in 2008 when I was on staff I asked for budget codes for translation in different languages so we could keep a proper track of expenditure. After a month of chasing, I was told that it was not possible to do that as the system ICANN ran wasn't able to do full project reporting.
But ICANN's CFO Kevin Wilson said that there were introducing a new system that would make it possible next year.
Four years later, at I believe Toronto in October 2012, I asked the new CFO at an open finance session a series of simple questions about ICANN's finances and was told that it wasn't possible to provide that sort of information because ICANN's finance systems were outdated and not able to provide project-based information.
But Xavier Calvez assured the room ICANN was introducing a new system and in the next year it would be possible to provide that sort of information.
It is now three years later and ICANN - and you - are still trotting out the same line. How long does it take to introduce a decent finance system?
And why as a Board member are you prepared for ICANN to continue to run poor financial systems year after year? And not only that but actually defend the lackadaisical attitude to proper financial reporting.
You have been a Board member, Bruce, for eight years now. If you think that it is fine that ICANN can't or won't introduce a half-decent financial reporting system and if you believe that the current level of financial reporting is sufficient then perhaps you are exactly why the ICANN community needs to ability to get rid of underperforming directors.
Kieren
On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 5:09 PM, Bruce Tonkin <Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au> wrote:
Hello Phil,
>> Can I suggest to the CCWG that a subgroup be formed to look at the perceived lack of accountability mechanisms within ICANN¹s current financial operations and reporting. It is absolutely critical that these are enhanced within a new membership model, especially with the huge increase in revenues from TLD Registries & Registrars.
This is an area where ICANN is certainly working to improve and achieve international best practice.
We are now following the practices of publicly listed companies in the USA. The annual tax filing is just one of the reports made public (https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/fy-2014-form-990-31mar15-en.pd f).
There is a quarterly financial report, and also a public quarterly call. You would be welcome to join such calls and ask any questions about the finances.
There are annual audited accounts that are public (e.g https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/financial-report-fye-30jun14-en .pdf), and there are also annual reports that include financials (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/annual-report-en ).
See: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/current-en for the financial reports.
The budget also sets out in detail the budget allocated to each project in the plan.
See: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-opplan-budget-fy15-01de c14-en.pdf
The status of all current projects is available at: https://features.icann.org/plan/projects
The staff remuneration policy is set out at: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/remuneration-practices-fy15-01n ov14-en.pdf
The Board approves via public resolutions the salaries for officers of the company. See: https://features.icann.org/appointment-officer for an example.
The status of all current projects is available at: https://features.icann.org/plan/projects
Happy to hear from you on what additional levels of information and transparency that you are seeking. Perhaps you could provide links to organizations of a similar size to ICANN that have more detailed public reporting. Examples are always helpful.
I know that the financial system is being evolved over time - its current implementation wasn't really set up for full project level reporting - ie where staff use timesheets, and assign all expenses down to the project level - but that is certainly an option going forward.
Regards, Bruce Tonkin
_______________________________________________ Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
_______________________________________________ Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
_______________________________________________ Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
-- Jordan Carter
Chief Executive InternetNZ
04 495 2118 (office) | +64 21 442 649 (mob) jordan@internetnz.net.nz Skype: jordancarter
A better world through a better Internet
_______________________________________________ Accountability-Cross-Community mailing list Accountability-Cross-Community@icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/accountability-cross-community
participants (5)
-
Bruce Tonkin -
Dr Eberhard W Lisse -
Jordan Carter -
Kieren McCarthy -
Sébastien Bachollet