finra

2009 Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Governors of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”)


1. Appointment

 

1.1 The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) was appointed by FINRA’s Board of Governors (the “Board”) in accordance with Article VII, Section 1(c) and Article IX, Sections 1(a) and 5 of FINRA’s By-Laws (the “Corporation’s By-Laws”). 

 

1.2 This Charter and the “Preamble to the Charters of Each Committee of the Board of Governors of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”)” (see Exhibit 1) govern the operations of the Committee.   

 

2. Composition

 

2.1 The Committee shall consist of four or five members of the Board, with a majority being Public Governors,and none of whom shall be officers or employees of FINRA (see Article IX, Section 5(a) of the Corporation’s By-Laws and The Report Issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Pursuant to Section  21(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Regarding NASD and The Nasdaq Stock Market (Securities Exchange Act Release No. 37542, August 8, 1996) (the “21(a) Report”)).

 

2.2 Each member of the Committee will meet the independence and experience requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  

 

2.3 Each member of the Committee will be financially literate, as such qualification is interpreted by the Board in its business judgment, or become financially literate within a reasonable time after appointment to the Committee.  The Committee shall designate, subject to Board approval, at least one of its members as an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with applicable SEC regulations.  The designation or determination by the Board of a person as an Audit Committee Financial Expert will not impose on such person individually, on the Committee, or on the Board as a whole, any greater duties, obligations or liability than would exist in the absence of such designation or determination.

 

2.4 A Public Governor shall serve as Chair of the Committee (see Article IX, Section 5(a) of the Corporation’s By-Laws and the 21(a) Report).

 

3. Duties and Responsibilities

 

3.1 The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:  (i) discuss with management and monitor the existence of adequate controls over the integrity of the financial reporting process of the Corporation; (ii) recommend to the Board, and monitor the independence and performance of, the certified public accountants retained as outside auditors by the Corporation; (iii) direct and oversee all the activities of the Corporation’s internal audit function, including but not limited to management’s responses to the internal audit function; and (iv) review and discuss with management its policies and procedures relating to monitoring the Company’s compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and the Company’s policies, including the Company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics.  In fulfilling these responsibilities, the Committee shall perform the following recurring activities:

 

3.2.1 Oversee and Monitor the Existence of Adequate Controls and the Integrity of the Financial Reporting Process of the Corporation

 

  • Take the appropriate actions to set the overall corporate “tone” for quality financial reporting, sound business risk management practices and ethical behavior.
  • Oversee the Corporation’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board and report the results of these activities to the Board.
  • Discuss with management, the internal auditors and the independent public accountant the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and financial controls, including the Corporation’s system for monitoring and managing business risk.
  • Review and discuss with management and the independent public accountant, the audited financial statements of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, including their judgment about the quality, not just acceptability, of accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of the disclosures in the financial statements.
  • Discuss the results of the annual audit and any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent public accountant under generally accepted auditing standards.
  • Review with management and the independent public accountant (if they have reviewed unaudited financial statements), any unaudited financial statements prepared for external distribution, before distribution or publication of such financial statements.  The Chair of the Committee may represent the entire Committee for the purposes of this interim review.
  • Discuss any other matters that the independent public accountant is required to communicate to the Committee under generally accepted auditing standards, in connection with a financial statement audit.
  • Meet with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their annual audit.
  • Prepare an audit committee report, consistent with such reports required by the SEC to be included in annual proxy statements for public companies, for inclusion in the Corporation’s annual report.
  • Make a recommendation to the Board for approval of the financial statements for publication in the Corporation’s Annual Report.

 

3.2.2 Recommend to the Board, and Monitor the Independence and Performance of, the Certified Public Accountants Retained as Outside Auditors by the Corporation

 

  • Establish a clear understanding with management and the independent public accountant, that the independent public accountant is ultimately accountable to the Board and the Committee, and that the Committee has the ultimate authority and responsibility to evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the independent public accountant. 
  • Discuss the independent public accountant’s independence from management and the Corporation and the matters included in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board. 
  • Annually, review and recommend to the Board the selection of the Corporation’s independent public accountant.
  • Set clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent public accountant.
  • Set and follow policies for review and approval of all independent public accountant services and fees, where such policies meet relevant requirements set by the SEC for public traded companies.

 

3.2.3 Review and Oversee All the Activities of the Corporation’s Internal Audit Function, Including But Not Limited to Management’s Responses to the Internal Audit Function

 

  • Review and oversee the activities of the organization’s internal audit function to ensure the existence of a substantial, independent internal audit staff, which reports directly to the Committee and reviews all aspects of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, including the regulatory and the disciplinary processes, and the Corporation’s, and its subsidiaries’, systems.
  • Although the Internal Audit Department and the Chief Audit Executive shall report directly to the Committee, the Committee may, in its discretion, direct that the Internal Audit Department also report to senior management of the Corporation on matters the Committee deems appropriate and may request that senior management perform such operational oversight as necessary and proper, consistent with preservation of the independence of the internal audit function (see Article IX, Section 5(d) of the Corporation’s By-Laws).
  • Review and approve, at least annually, the Internal Audit Charter and the authority provided to the Internal Audit Department.
  • Review and approve, at least annually, proposed internal audit plans for the coming year, the department budget and staff, significant interim changes to the plans, budget or staffing and the coordination of such plans with those of the independent auditors.
  • Maintain exclusive authority to:  (i) hire or terminate the Chief Audit Executive; (ii) determine the compensation of the Chief Audit Executive; and (iii) determine the budget for the Internal Audit Department (see Article IX, Section 5(d) of the Corporation’s By-Laws).
  • Oversee and monitor the internal audit function’s compliance with the Institute of Internal Auditors’ (“IIA”) Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing through discussion with the Chief Audit Executive, with management and through obtaining independent reviews as required by IIA Standards.
  • Meet separately with the internal auditors, at least quarterly, to discuss matters as necessary to ensure that Internal Audit has the resources and management support necessary to effectively perform its duties.
  • Receive and review periodic reports from management on the quality of internal controls in key risk and control areas (e.g., information technology environment, insurable risk management).
  • Receive and review summary reports from the internal auditors on the results of internal audits and management’s progress in responding to issues identified, and discuss with management any disagreements on the issues or delays in taking corrective actions.

 

3.2.4 Oversee and Monitoring Compliance with Legal and Regulatory Programs, and Ethics Programs Established by Management and the Board

 

  • Discuss with management, the internal auditors and the independent public accountant the adequacy and effectiveness of programs for ensuring legal and ethical compliance.
  • Review the activities of and consult with the Corporation’s Ombudsman, particularly in circumstances in which management does not adequately respond to actions suggested by the Ombudsman.
  • Receive from, and discuss with, management and internal audit, at least quarterly, a report of regulatory examination activities and the results reported from such activities, including management’s proposed corrective actions.
  • Receive reports from the internal auditors on the results of monitoring and follow-up on implementation of management’s corrective actions in response to regulatory examination reports.
  • Receive from management, at least annually, a report on ethics programs, to include administration of the programs, proposed changes to policy for the Committee’s approval and a summary of violations and corrective actions.
  • Conduct an appropriate review of all related-party transactions and business relationships — particularly those types of transactions identified in SEC Regulation S-K, Item 404 — for potential conflict of interest situations and approve all such transactions before FINRA enters into the transaction.
  • Establish procedures for handling complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and ensure that any such complaints are appropriately investigated.

 

3.3 It is the responsibility of the Committee to maintain free and open communication among the Committee, independent auditors, internal auditors and management of the Corporation. 

 

3.4 In discharging its oversight role, the Committee is empowered to investigate any matter brought to its attention with full access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Corporation.

 

4. Limitation of Powers and Allocation of Responsibilities

 

4.1 While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, the role of the Committee is assisting the Board in its oversight responsibilities. Management of the Company is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company's financial statements and for the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. Management also is responsible for maintaining appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles and policies, as well as internal controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance of compliance with accounting standards and related laws and regulations. The Internal Audit department is responsible for providing reliable and timely information to the Committee and senior management concerning the quality and effectiveness of, and the level of adherence to, the Company's control and compliance procedures and risk management systems.  The independent auditor is responsible for planning and carrying out an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, reviewing the Company's quarterly financial statements prior to the filing of each quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and attesting to management's assertion of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

 

4.2 In fulfilling their duties and responsibilities set forth herein, it is recognized that members of the Committee are not full-time employees of the Company and even though one or more may be designated as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined in rules of the SEC, members of the Committee are not, and do not represent themselves to be, performing the functions of accountants or auditors, or providing expert or special assurance as to the Company’s financial statements. Moreover, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Committee or its members to plan or conduct audits, to conduct "field work" or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures, to determine that the Corporation’s financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) or international financial reporting standards (“IFRS”) and applicable rules and regulations, or to set auditor independence standards.  Likewise, it is not the Committee’s responsibility to conduct investigations or to assure that the Corporation complies with specific legal requirements or the Corporation’s code of conduct.  Each member of the Committee will be entitled to rely, to the fullest extent permitted by law, upon the integrity of those persons or organizations within and outside the Corporation from whom it receives information, and the accuracy of the information.

 

4.3 No member of the Committee shall participate in the consideration or decision of any matter relating to a particular member, company or individual if such Audit Committee member has a material interest in, or a professional, business or personal relationship with, that member, company or individual, or if such participation shall create an appearance of impropriety.  An Audit Committee member shall consult with the General Counsel of the Corporation to determine if recusal is necessary.  If a member of the Committee is recused from consideration of a matter, any decision on the matter shall be by a vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Committee (see Article IX, Section 5(c)).

 

 

Amended February 2009.