<div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">> <span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">I know that the financial system is being evolved over time - its current implementation wasn't really set up for full project level reporting...</span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><br></span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">Oh come on, <span class="">Bruce</span>, this has been the same excuse for nearly a decade now.</span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><br></span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">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.</span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><br></span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">But ICANN's CFO Kevin Wilson said that there were introducing a new system that would make it possible next year.</span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><br></span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">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finances and was told that it wasn't possible to provide that sort of information because ICANN's finance systems were outdated and not able to provide project-based information.</span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><br></span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">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.</span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><span style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><br></span></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">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?</div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><br></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">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. </div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><br></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">You have been a Board member, <span class="">Bruce</span>, 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.</div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><br></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><br></div><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px">Kieren</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 5:09 PM, Bruce Tonkin <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au" target="_blank">Bruce.Tonkin@melbourneit.com.au</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Hello Phil,<br>
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>> 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.<br>
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This is an area where ICANN is certainly working to improve and achieve international best practice.<br>
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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 (<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/fy-2014-form-990-31mar15-en.pdf" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/fy-2014-form-990-31mar15-en.pdf</a>).<br>
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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.<br>
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There are annual audited accounts that are public (e.g <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/financial-report-fye-30jun14-en.pdf" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/financial-report-fye-30jun14-en.pdf</a>), and there are also annual reports that include financials (<a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/annual-report-en" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/annual-report-en</a> ).<br>
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See: <a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/current-en" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/current-en</a> for the financial reports.<br>
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The budget also sets out in detail the budget allocated to each project in the plan.<br>
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See: <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-opplan-budget-fy15-01dec14-en.pdf" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-opplan-budget-fy15-01dec14-en.pdf</a><br>
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The status of all current projects is available at: <a href="https://features.icann.org/plan/projects" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://features.icann.org/plan/projects</a><br>
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The staff remuneration policy is set out at: <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/remuneration-practices-fy15-01nov14-en.pdf" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/remuneration-practices-fy15-01nov14-en.pdf</a><br>
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The Board approves via public resolutions the salaries for officers of the company. See: <a href="https://features.icann.org/appointment-officer" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://features.icann.org/appointment-officer</a> for an example.<br>
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The status of all current projects is available at: <a href="https://features.icann.org/plan/projects" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://features.icann.org/plan/projects</a><br>
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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.<br>
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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.<br>
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Regards,<br>
Bruce Tonkin<br>
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