The Center For Political Accountability

The Center for Political Accountability (CPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that was created to bring transparency and accountability to corporate political spending and to give companies a framework for handling political spending and the risks posed by it. Founded in 2003, CPA has become the recognized national leader that has made corporate political disclosure and accountability the norm. To circumvent a dysfunctional political system, CPA uses corporate governance to directly engage companies to improve disclosure and oversight of their political spending and look broadly at the impact of their spending. This includes soft money contributions and payments to 527 committees, super PACs and trade associations and other tax-exempt organizations, such as non-profit “social welfare” 501(c)(4) organizations, that are used for political purposes. It also issues groundbreaking reports on corporate political spending, its impact and risks. CPA’s goals are to encourage responsible corporate political activity, help companies navigate the risks posed by political spending, protect shareholders, and strengthen the integrity of the political process and democracy. Today, the Center publishes the annual CPA-Zicklin Index which benchmarks the Russell 1000 publicly traded companies in the United States. Using 24 metrics, or “indicators,” it assesses companies’ disclosure practices and political spending and accountability policies. In addition, the Center has the CPA-Zicklin Model Code of Conduct for Corporate Political Spending. It is the next step for companies and provides them with a framework for approaching, governing and assessing their political spending. Its provisions and policies give companies much greater control over their spending. CPA is working with companies on adopting or following the Model Code.