Audit Committees
Provision C.3.1 of the UK Corporate Governance Code provides that listed company boards in the UK should establish an audit committee of at least three, or in the case of smaller companies two, independent non-executive directors. In smaller companies the company chairman may be a member of, but not chair, the audit committee in addition to the independent non-executive directors, provided he or she was considered independent on appointment as chairman.
UK Corporate Governance Code
Full text of the code
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The board should satisfy itself that at least one member of the audit committee has recent and relevant financial experience.
A smaller company is one that is below the FTSE 350 throughout the year immediately prior to the reporting year.
The main role and responsibilities of the audit committee should include:
monitoring the integrity of the financial statements and any formal announcements relating to financial performance;
reviewing internal financial controls and, unless there is a separate board risk committee, reviewing the company’s internal control and risk management systems;
monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the internal audit function;
making recommendations to the board in relation to the appointment, re-appointment and removal of the external auditor and approve the remuneration and terms of engagement of the auditor;
reviewing the auditor’s independence and objectivity;
developing and implementing the non-audit services policy.
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