2.1
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The Committee shall monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the company, including its annual and half yearly reports, interim management statements, preliminary results' announcements and any other formal announcement relating to its financial performance, reviewing significant financial reporting issues and judgements which they contain.
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2.2
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The Committee shall review and challenge where necessary:
2.2.1
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the consistency of, and any changes to, accounting policies both on a year on year basis and across the company;
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2.2.2
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the methods used to account for significant or unusual transactions where different approaches are possible;
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2.2.3
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whether the company has followed appropriate accounting standards and made appropriate estimates and judgements, taking into account the views of the external auditor;
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2.2.4
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the clarity of disclosure in the company’s financial reports and the context in which statements are made; and
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2.2.5
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all material information presented with the financial statements, such as the business review/operating and financial review and any corporate governance statement insofar as it relates to the audit and risk management.
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2.3
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The Committee shall:
2.3.1
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keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of the company’s internal financial controls and internal control and risk management systems; and
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2.3.2
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review and approve the statements to be included in the annual report concerning internal controls and risk management.
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2.4
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The Committee shall:
2.4.1
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review the adequacy and security of the company's arrangements for its employees and contractors to raise concerns, in confidence, about possible wrongdoing in financial reporting or other matters. The Committee shall ensure that these arrangements allow proportionate and independent investigation of such matters and appropriate follow up action;
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2.4.2
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review the company's procedures for detecting fraud; and
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2.4.3
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review the company's systems and controls for the prevention of bribery and receive reports on non-compliance.
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2.5
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The Committee shall:
2.5.1
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monitor and review the effectiveness of the company’s internal audit function in the context of the company’s overall risk management system;
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2.5.2
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approve the appointment and removal of the head of the internal audit function;
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2.5.3
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consider and approve the remit of the internal audit function and ensure it has adequate resources and appropriate access to information to enable it to perform its function effectively and in accordance with the relevant professional standards. The Committee shall also ensure the function has adequate standing and is free from management or other restrictions;
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2.5.4
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review and assess the annual internal audit plan;
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2.5.5
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review promptly all reports on the company from the internal auditors;
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2.5.6
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review and monitor management’s responsiveness to the findings and recommendations of the internal auditor; and
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2.5.7
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meet the head of internal audit at least once a year, without management being present, to discuss their remit and any issues arising from the internal audits carried out. In addition, the head of internal audit shall be given the right of direct access to the Chairman of the board of directors and to the Committee.
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2.6
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The Committee shall:
2.6.1
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consider and make recommendations to the board, to be put to shareholders for approval at the Annual General Meeting, in relation to the appointment, re-appointment and removal of the company’s external auditor. The Committee shall oversee the selection process for new auditors and if an auditor resigns the Committee shall investigate the issues leading to this and decide whether any action is required;
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2.6.2
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oversee the relationship with the external auditor including but not limited to:
(a)
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approval of their remuneration, whether fees for audit or non-audit services and that the level of fees is appropriate to enable an adequate audit to be conducted;
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(b)
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approval of their terms of engagement, including any engagement letter issued at the start of each audit and the scope of the audit;
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(c)
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assessing annually their independence and objectivity taking into account relevant professional and regulatory requirements and the relationship with the auditor as a whole, including the provision of any non-audit services;
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(d)
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satisfying itself that there are no relationships (such as family, employment, investment, financial or business) between the auditor and the company other than in the ordinary course of business;
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(e)
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agreeing with the board a policy on the employment of former employees of the company's auditor, then monitoring the implementation of this policy;
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(f)
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monitoring the auditor's compliance with relevant ethical and professional guidance on the rotation of audit partners, the level of fees paid by the company compared to the overall fee income of the firm, office and partner and other related requirements;
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(g)
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assessing annually their qualifications, expertise and resources and the effectiveness of the audit process which shall include a report from the external auditor on their own internal quality procedures; and
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(h)
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seeking to ensure co-ordination with the activities of the financial control function.
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2.7
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Meet regularly with the external auditor, including once at the planning stage before the audit and once after the audit at the reporting stage. The Committee shall meet the external auditor at least once a year, without management being present, to discuss their remit and any issues arising from the audit.
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2.8
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Review and approve the annual audit plan and ensure that it is consistent with the scope of the audit engagement.
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2.9
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Review the findings of the audit with the external auditor. This shall include but not be limited to, the following:
2.9.1
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a discussion of any major issues which arose during the audit,
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2.9.2
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any accounting and audit judgements,
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2.9.3
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levels of errors identified during the audit, and
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2.9.4
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the effectiveness of the audit.
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2.10
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Review any representation letter(s) requested by the external auditor before they are signed by management.
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2.11
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Review the management letter and management’s response to the auditor’s findings and recommendations.
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2.12
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Develop and implement a policy on the supply of non-audit services by the external auditor, taking into account any relevant ethical guidance on the matter.
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2.13
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The Chairman of the Committee shall report formally to the board on its proceedings after each meeting on all matters within its duties and responsibilities.
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2.14
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The Committee shall make whatever recommendations to the board it deems appropriate on any area within its remit where action or improvement is needed.
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2.15
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The Committee shall compile a report to shareholders on its activities to be included in the company’s annual report.
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2.16
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The Committee shall:
2.16.1
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have access to sufficient resources in order to carry out its duties, including access to the company secretary for assistance as required;
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2.16.2
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be provided with appropriate and timely training, both in the form of an induction programme for new members and on an ongoing basis for all members;
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2.16.3
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give due consideration to applicable laws and regulations, the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the requirements of the London Stock Exchange's rules for official list companies as appropriate;
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2.16.4
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be responsible for co-ordination of the financial controller and external auditors;
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2.16.5
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oversee any investigation of activities which are within its terms of reference; and
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2.16.6
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arrange for periodic review of its own performance and, at least once a year, review its constitution and terms of reference to ensure it is operating at maximum effectiveness and recommend any changes it considers necessary to the board for approval.
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2.17
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To consider such other matters as may be requested by the board of directors.
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