1. | In consultation with the independent accountant discuss the integrity and quality of the organizations financial reporting process, both internal and external. | ||
2. | Consider the independent accountants judgments about the quality and appropriateness of the Companys accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting. Consider alternative accounting principles and estimates. |
3. | Annually review major issues regarding the Companys accounting principles and practices and its presentation of financial statements, including the adequacy of internal controls and plans by management to address any material internal control deficiencies. | ||
4. | Discuss with management and legal counsel the status of pending litigation, taxation matters, compliance policies, and other areas of oversight applicable to the legal and compliance area as may be appropriate. | ||
5. | Meet at least annually with the chief financial officer and the independent accountant in separate executive sessions. | ||
6. | Review analyses prepared by management and the independent accountant of significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Companys financial statements, including any analysis of the effect of alternative methods under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) on the Companys financial statements and a description of any transactions as to which management obtained Statement on Auditing Standards No. 50 letters. | ||
7. | Review with management and the independent accountant the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on the Companys financial statements. |
1. | Review and discuss with management the Companys annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements (including disclosures under the section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation) and any reports or other financial information submitted to any governmental body, or the public, including any certification, report, opinion, or review rendered by the independent accountant, considering, as appropriate, whether the information contained in these documents is consistent with the information contained in the financial statements and whether the independent accountant and legal counsel are satisfied with the disclosure and content of such documents. | ||
2. | Review and discuss with management and the independent accountant earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. The Committee need not discuss in advance each earnings release but should generally discuss the types of information to be disclosed and the type of presentation to be made in any earnings release or guidance. | ||
3. | Review reports from management and the independent accountant on the Companys subsidiaries and affiliates, compliance with the Companys code(s) of conduct, applicable law, and insider and related party transactions. | ||
4. | Review with management and the independent accountant any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding the Companys financial statements or accounting policies. |
5. | Assist management in preparing and approving the report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement. | ||
6. | Submit the minutes of all meetings of the Committee to, or discuss the matters discussed at each Committee meeting with, the Board. | ||
7. | Review the audited financial statements and discuss them with management and the independent accountant. These discussions shall include consideration of the quality of the Companys accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting, including review of audit adjustments, whether or not recorded, and any such other inquiries as may be appropriate. Based on the review, the Committee shall make its recommendation to the Board as to the inclusion of the Companys audited consolidated financial statements in the Companys annual report on Form 10-K. | ||
8. | Review any restatements of financial statements that have occurred or were recommended. |
1. | Interview and retain the Companys independent accountant, consider the accounting firms independence and effectiveness, and approve the engagement fee and other compensation to be paid to the independent accountant. | ||
2. | On an annual basis, the Committee shall evaluate the independent accountants qualifications, performance, and independence. To assist in this undertaking, the Committee may request that the independent accountant submit a report (which report shall be reviewed by the Committee) describing (a) the independent accountants internal quality-control procedures, (b) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the accounting firm or by any inquiry or investigations by government or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the independent accountant, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues, and (c) all relationships the independent accountant has with the Company and relevant third parties to determine the independent accountants independence. In making its determination, the Committee shall consider auditing, consulting, tax services, information technology services, and other professional services rendered by the independent accountant and its affiliates. The committee should also consider whether the provision of any of these non-audit services is compatible with the independence standards under the guidelines of the SEC and of the Independence Standards Board and shall pre-approve the retention of the independent accountant for any non-audit services. | ||
3. | Review on an annual basis the experience and qualifications of the senior members of the audit team. Discuss the knowledge and experience of the independent accountant and the senior members of the audit team with respect to the Companys industry. The Committee shall ensure the regular rotation of the lead audit partner and audit review partner as required by law and consider whether there should be a periodic rotation of the Companys independent accountant. | ||
4. | Review the performance of the independent accountant and approve any proposed discharge of the independent accountant when circumstances warrant. |
5. | Establish and periodically review the Companys hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent accountant to ensure that no conflicts exist by virtue of the Companys employment during the previous twelve months, in a senior management position, former employees of the independent auditor. | ||
6. | Review with the independent accountant any problems or difficulties the auditor may have encountered and any management or internal control letter provided by the independent accountant and the Companys response to that letter. Such review should include: |
(a) | any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work, including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to required information and any disagreements with management; | ||
(b) | any accounting adjustments that were proposed by the independent accountant that were not agreed to by the Company; | ||
(c) | communications between the independent accountant and its national office regarding any issues on which it was consulted by the audit team and matters of audit quality and consistency; and | ||
(d) | any changes required in the planned scope of the audit. |
7. | Communicate with the independent accountant regarding critical accounting policies and practices to be used in preparing the audit report, and such other matters as the SEC and the Nasdaq stock market may direct by rule or regulation. | ||
8. | Oversee the independent accountant relationship by discussing with the independent accountant the nature and rigor of the audit process, receiving and reviewing audit reports and ensuring that the independent accountant has full access to the Committee (and the Board) to report on any and all appropriate matters. | ||
9. | Following completion of the annual audit, review separately with each of management and the independent accountant any significant difficulties encountered during the course of the audit, including any restrictions on the scope of work or access to required information | ||
10. | Discuss with the independent accountant prior to the audit the general planning and staffing of the audit. | ||
11. | Obtain a representation from the independent accountant that Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 has been followed. | ||
12. | Discuss any matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61. |
1. | Discuss with management policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. Although it is managements duty to assess and manage the Companys exposure to risk, the Committee needs to discuss guidelines and policies |
to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is handled and review the steps management has taken to monitor and control the Companys risk exposure. | ||||||||||||||||||||
2. | Establish regular and separate systems of reporting to the Committee by each of management and the independent accountant regarding any significant judgments made in managements preparation of the financial statements and the view of each as to the appropriateness of such judgments. | |||||||||||||||||||
3. | Review with the independent accountant and management the extent to which changes or improvements in financial or accounting practices have been implemented. This review should be conducted at an appropriate time subsequent to implementation of changes or improvements, as decided by the Committee. | |||||||||||||||||||
4. | Advise the Board about the Companys policies and procedures for compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the Companys code(s) of conduct. | |||||||||||||||||||
5. | Establish procedures for receiving accounting complaints and concerns and anonymous submissions from employees and others regarding questionable accounting matters. | |||||||||||||||||||
6. | Periodically discuss with the chief executive officer and chief financial officer (a) significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the internal controls that could adversely affect the Companys ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data, and (b) any fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal controls. | |||||||||||||||||||
7. | Take reasonable steps to ensure that no officer, director, or any person acting under their direction fraudulently influences, coerces, manipulates, or misleads the independent accountant for purposes of rendering the Companys financial statements materially misleading. | |||||||||||||||||||
8. | Review and approve all transactions between the Company and any related person that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, Item 404 (Item 404). Related person and transactions shall have the meanings given to such terms in Item 404, as amended from time to time. |
/s/ Ramon D. Phillips
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Ramon D. Phillips, Chairman |