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About
Fedders:
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Fedders Corporation
Audit Committee Charter
I.
Statement of Purpose
The
Audit Committee is an arm of the Board of Directors and
must diligently fulfill its objectives for the Board while
meeting its responsibilities to the stockholders by maintaining
a close working relationship with the Board of Directors,
executive management, independent auditors and Vice President,
Internal Audit. Its primary purpose is to assist the Board
of Directors in its oversight of: the integrity of the Corporation's
financial statements; the Corporation's compliance with
legal and regulatory requirements; the independent auditor's
qualifications and independence; and the performance of
the Corporation's internal audit function and independent
auditors; and to prepare any required report(s) that must
be included in the Corporation's annual proxy statement,
in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
II.
Structure
and Compensation
- The
Audit Committee shall be comprised of three or more directors
appointed by the Board of Directors, one of whom shall
be Chairperson, each free from any association with the
Corporation that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere
with the exercise of his or her independent judgment as
a member of the Committee and meeting the definition of
"independent" contained in the Listing Standards
of the New York Stock Exchange or in any other applicable
law, rule or regulation.
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The Board of Directors shall determine the compensation
for members of the Audit Committee. A member of the Audit
Committee may not, other than in his or her capacity as
a member of the Audit Committee, Board of Directors, or
any other Board committee (1) accept any consulting, advisory
or other compensatory fee from the Corporation or (2)
be an affiliated person of the Corporation or any subsidiary.
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The Audit Committee shall include at least one member
who is a financial expert, as that term is defined by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
III.
Meetings
- The
Audit Committee shall meet at least four times per year.
One meeting shall be held prior to the start of the independent
audit to review the audit plan and planned audit scope
of the independent auditor. One meeting shall be held
upon completion of the year-end audit to discuss the management
letter prepared by the independent auditor, at which time
a decision should be made by the Audit Committee, regarding
the retention of the independent auditors for the ensuing
year. Matters considered at these and other meetings will
include: approval of the Annual Internal Audit Plan, review
of the Internal Audit Activity Reports, review of recent
Internal Audit Reports, and presentations by management
on key business processes. Additional meetings will be
called as required.
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Except for meetings held separately with management, the
independent auditors or the internal auditor, the Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President,
Internal Audit and Corporate Controller will be invited
to attend meetings of the Audit Committee.
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As a matter of sound business practice and to provide
a record that the Committee has appropriately discharged
its responsibilities, minutes will be taken of all Audit
Committee meetings.
IV.
Responsibilities and Duties
The
Committee is an agent for the Board of Directors to help
ensure the integrity of management, the independence of
the Company's independent auditors, the effectiveness of
the internal audit function, and the adequacy of disclosures
to stockholders. The Audit Committee's primary duties and
responsibilities are to:
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Retain, oversee and terminate, if necessary, the Corporation's
independent auditors (subject, if applicable, to shareholder
ratification), including prior approval of all audit engagement
fees, as well as significant, non-prohibited, non-audit
engagements.
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Obtain and review, at least annually, a report by the
independent auditor describing: the firm's internal quality-control
procedures; any material issues raised by the most recent
internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the
firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by government
or professional authorities, within the preceding five
(5) years, respecting one or more independent audits carried
out by the firm, and any steps taken to deal with any
such issues, and (to assess the auditor's independence)
all relationships between the independent auditor and
the Corporation.
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Discuss the annual audited financial statements and quarterly
financial statements with management and the independent
auditor, including the Corporation's disclosures under
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
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Discuss earnings press releases, as well as financial
information and earnings guidance provided to analysts
and rating agencies.
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As appropriate, obtain advice and assistance from outside
legal, accounting or other advisors.
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Discuss policies with respect to risk assessment and risk
management.
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Meet separately, periodically, with management, with internal
auditors (or other personnel responsible for the internal
audit function) and with independent auditors.
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Review with the independent auditor any audit problems
or difficulties and management's response.
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Establish clear hiring policies for employees or former
employees of the independent auditors.
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Report regularly to the Board of Directors.
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Review and appraise the audit practices of the Corporation's
internal audit department.
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Establish and maintain procedures for the receipt, retention,
and treatment of complaints received by the Corporation
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or
auditing matters, and for the confidential, anonymous
submission by employees of the Corporation of concerns
regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
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In conjunction with the Board of Directors and executive
management, review and update this Charter as conditions
dictate.
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Review and act upon the regular reports prepared by the
internal audit department and management's response.
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Periodically consult with the independent auditors about
internal controls and the fullness and accuracy of the
Corporation's financial statements.
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Consider such other matters in relation to the financial
affairs of the Corporation and its accounts, and in relation
to internal and external auditors of the Corporation as
the Audit Committee may deem advisable.
The
Audit Committee must distinguish its oversight responsibility
from any involvement in the day-to-day management of the
Corporation and the conduct of the audit. The Committee
must not be considered an adversary of management; rather,
it is part of the Corporation's governance and oversight
process.
The
most important key to success for an Audit Committee is
effective communication between the Committee, executive
management, the Board of Directors, independent public accountants
and the Vice President, Internal Audit.
V.
Annual Performance Evaluation
The
Committee shall review (i) major issues regarding accounting
principles and financial statement presentations, (ii) analyses
prepared by management and/or the independent auditor setting
forth significant reporting issues and judgments made in
connection with the preparation of the financial statements,
and (iii) the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives,
as well as off-balance sheet structures, on the financial
statements of the Corporation.
VI.
Internal Audit Function
The
Committee shall review the Internal Audit function responsible
for reviewing and monitoring administrative controls in
the accounting, financial and operating functions of the
Corporation, and shall make recommendations for improvements
to the quality of the overall internal control system. The
Internal Audit function shall operate with maximum objectivity
and have direct and unrestricted access to the Committee.
The Vice President, Internal Audit shall report directly
to the Audit Committee Chairperson and have dotted-line
reporting responsibility to the Chief Financial Officer
of the Corporation.
VII.
Reporting
At
the Board of Directors meeting next following each Audit
Committee meeting, the Committee Chairperson shall make
a report to the Board of Directors.
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