Oversee the independent auditor's qualifications, independence and performance,
and preapprove all audit and allowable non-audit services to be provided by the
independent auditor;
Assist Board oversight of (i) the integrity of the Company's financial statements
and other financial information; (ii) the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure
controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; (iii)
the performance of the Company's internal auditors; and (iv) the Company's compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements; and
Prepare the audit committee report required to be included in the Company's
annual proxy statement.
Membership
The Audit Committee shall consist of such number of members of the Board of Directors
as shall be appointed by the Board from time to time, but in no event shall the Committee
consist of fewer than three members. The Board of Directors shall designate the Chairperson
of the Committee. The Board of Directors may change the membership of the Committee at any
time.
The members of the Committee shall meet the applicable independence and qualification
requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including
all rules and regulations thereunder, as well as any other legal requirements applicable to
Committee members.
Functions, Powers and Responsibilities
The Audit Committee shall:
Independent Auditor
1.
Be directly responsible for, and have the sole authority with respect to, the
appointment, retention, replacement, compensation, evaluation and oversight of
the Company's independent auditor (including resolution of any disagreements
between management and the independent auditor), which will report directly to
the Committee. The Committee may consult with management, but shall not delegate
these responsibilities.
2.
Preapprove, in accordance with applicable law, all audit and allowable non-audit
services to be provided by the independent auditor, and oversee the disclosure of
information related to the categories of services provided by, and fees paid to,
the independent auditor. The Committee shall approve any audit or non-audit service
to be provided by the independent auditor within one year prior to the commencement
of such service.
3.
Review and discuss, prior to the filing of an audit report with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, a report from the independent auditor regarding (i) all critical
accounting policies and practices to be used; (ii) all alternative treatments of
financial information within GAAP for policies and practices related to material
items that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such
alternative disclosures and treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent
auditor; and (iii) other material written communications between the independent auditor
and management.
4.
Receive and review, at least annually, a report from the independent auditor describing
(i) the independent auditor's internal quality-control procedures; (ii) any material
issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review or peer review, or by
any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the
preceding five years, respecting one or more audits performed by the independent auditor,
and any steps taken to address any such issues; and (iii) all relationships between the
independent auditor and the Company.
5.
Annually evaluate, and report to the Board of Directors with respect to, the qualifications,
performance and independence of the independent auditor and the lead audit partner.
6.
Review and discuss with the independent auditor (i) the scope and results of each independent
audit of the Company (including any difficulties encountered by the auditor and any significant
disagreements with management), (ii) any related management letter, and (iii) management's responses
to recommendations made or difficulties encountered by the independent auditor in connection with
the audit.
Internal Auditors
7.
Review the appointment and replacement, and annually review the performance, of the senior
internal auditing executive.
8.
Periodically review and discuss with the independent auditor the organizational structure,
responsibilities, budget and staffing of the internal audit department.
9.
Review the annual audit plan of the internal audit department and the results of any audits
that are significant to the Company's system of internal controls and management's responses
to such reports.
Financial Reporting
10.
Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the Company's quarterly and
annual financial reports, including management's discussion and analysis of financial condition
and results of operations, any certification, report, opinion or review rendered by the
independent auditor in connection with such reports and any communications required by professional
standards between the independent auditor and the Committee prior to the public release of such
information.
11.
Recommend to the Board of Directors whether the audited annual financial statements should be
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
12.
Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor (i) significant accounting and
financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company's
financial statements and other public reports, including the Company's selection and application
of significant accounting principles; (ii) any major issues as to the adequacy of the Company's
internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies;
(iii) the development, selection and disclosure of critical accounting policies and estimates; (iv)
the effect of financial reporting and accounting initiatives and any related party or off-balance
sheet transactions on the Company's financial statements; and (v) any analyses prepared by management
or the independent auditor of the effect of alternative assumptions, estimates or GAAP methods on the
Company's financial statements.
13.
Review and discuss generally with management the types of information to be disclosed and the
types of presentations to be made in the Company's earnings press releases and in any financial
information and earnings guidance provided by the Company to analysts and rating agencies.
Internal Control Structure
14.
Review, and discuss with management, the independent auditor and the senior internal
auditing executive, the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company's (i) financial
reporting procedures, and (ii) internal control structure, including its disclosure
controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (including any
material weaknesses, significant deficiencies or significant changes to internal controls).
15.
Review and discuss with management, the independent auditor and the senior internal auditing
executive the Company's annual internal control report and the independent auditor's attestation
to such report.
Risk Assessment and Risk Management
16.
Review and discuss with management (i) the guidelines and policies that govern the processes by
which the Company assesses and manages its exposure to risk, and (ii) the Company's major financial
risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.
Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
17.
Periodically review the accounting- and auditing-related portions of the Company's
Code of Business Conduct & Ethics and recommend any proposed
changes to the Nominating & Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.
Other
18.
Prepare the audit committee report required to be included in the Company's annual proxy
statement.
19.
Periodically review the Company's policy for hiring employees and former employees of the
Company's current and former independent auditors.
20.
Periodically review the Company's procedures for (i) the receipt, retention
and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or
auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by Company employees
of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
21.
Meet separately, periodically, with management, with the senior internal audit executive
(and other members of the internal audit staff, as appropriate) and with the independent
auditor.
22.
Discuss with the Company's General Counsel or his or her designees any legal matters that may have a
material impact on the Company's financial statements or compliance policies relating to
accounting or auditing matters.
23.
Have the authority, to the extent the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its
duties, to retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors and to approve each such advisor's
fees and other retention terms.
24.
Determine the appropriate funding for and direct the payment by the Company of (i) compensation to
the independent auditor, (ii) compensation to any independent legal, accounting or other advisors
retained by the Committee and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are
necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.
25.
Annually review the Committee's own performance, and report the results of such review to the Board
of Directors.
26.
Annually review and reassess the adequacy of this charter and recommend any proposed changes
to the Board of Directors for approval.
27.
Report regularly to the Board of Directors on matters within the scope of the Committee, as well
as any special issues that merit the attention of the Board.
28.
Perform such other duties required by law or otherwise as are necessary or appropriate to oversee the
integrity of the Company's accounting and financial reporting practices, or as the Board of Directors
may from time to time direct.
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