AKS » Topics » AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

This excerpt taken from the AKS DEF 14A filed Apr 17, 2008.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company. During 2007, the Committee met eight times and discussed the interim quarterly financial results with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and its independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, (the “independent auditors”) prior to public release.

In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Committee obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company that might bear on the independent auditors’ independence consistent with Independence Standard Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussion with Audit Committees,” discussed with the independent auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. In addition, the Committee has received written material addressing Deloitte & Touche LLP’s internal quality control procedures and other matters, as required by the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Committee also discussed with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and the organization, responsibilities and staffing of the internal audit function. The Committee reviewed with the Company’s independent auditors and its internal auditors their respective audit plans, audit scope and identification of audit risks. The Committee has implemented a formal pre-approval process for non-audit fee spending and it seeks to limit this spending to a level that keeps the core relationship with the independent auditors focused on financial statement review and evaluation.

The Committee discussed and reviewed with the Company’s independent auditors all communications required by auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, including those described in Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 “Communication with Audit Committees” as amended and, with and without management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements. In addition, the Committee has discussed various matters with the independent auditors related to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, including all critical accounting policies and practices used, all alternative treatments for material items that have been discussed with Company management, and all other material written communications between the independent auditors and management.

The Committee has discussed and reviewed with management and the Company’s independent auditors the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007, managements’ assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and the independent auditors’ evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Management has the responsibility for the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and the independent auditors have the responsibility for expressing opinions on the conformity of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with management and the Company’s independent auditors, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee also retained Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2008. As a matter of good corporate governance, the Committee is seeking ratification by the Company’s stockholders of that appointment.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

    Daniel J. Meyer, Chair

    William K. Gerber

    Shirley D. Peterson

    Dr. James A. Thomson

 

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Table of Contents
This excerpt taken from the AKS DEF 14A filed Apr 16, 2007.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company. During 2006, the Committee met eight times and discussed the interim quarterly financial results with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and its independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, (the “independent auditors”) prior to public release.

In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Committee obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company that might bear on the independent auditors’ independence consistent with Independence Standard Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussion with Audit Committees,” discussed with the independent auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. In addition, the Committee has received written material addressing Deloitte & Touche LLP’s internal quality control procedures and other matters, as required by the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Committee also discussed with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and the organization, responsibilities and staffing of the internal audit function. The Committee reviewed with the Company’s independent auditors and its internal auditors their respective audit plans, audit scope and identification of audit risks. The Committee has implemented a formal pre-approval process for non-audit fee spending and it seeks to limit this spending to a level that keeps the core relationship with the independent auditors focused on financial statement review and evaluation.

The Committee discussed and reviewed with the Company’s independent auditors all communications required by auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, including those described in Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 “Communication with Audit Committees” as amended and, with and without management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements. In addition, the Committee has discussed various matters with the independent auditors related to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, including all critical accounting policies and practices used, all alternative treatments for material items that have been discussed with Company management, and all other material written communications between the independent auditors and management.

The Committee has discussed and reviewed with management and the Company’s independent auditors the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006, managements’ assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and the independent auditors’ evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Management has the responsibility for the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and the independent auditors have the responsibility for expressing opinions on the conformity of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as well as their own opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with management and the Company’s independent auditors, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee also approved Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2007.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

    Lawrence A. Leser, Chair

    William K. Gerber

    Daniel J. Meyer

    Shirley D. Peterson

    Dr. James A. Thomson

 

50


Table of Contents
This excerpt taken from the AKS DEF 14A filed Apr 17, 2006.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company. During 2005, the Committee met eight times and discussed the interim quarterly financial results with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and its independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, (the “independent auditors”) prior to public release.

 

In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Committee obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company that might bear on the independent auditors’ independence consistent with Independence Standard Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussion with Audit Committees,” discussed with the independent auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. In addition, the Committee has received written material addressing Deloitte & Touche LLP’s internal quality control procedures and other matters, as required by the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Committee also discussed with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and the internal audit function’s organization, responsibilities and staffing. The Committee reviewed with the Company’s independent auditors and its internal auditors their respective audit plans, audit scope and identification of audit risks. The Committee has implemented a formal pre-approval process for non-audit fee spending and it seeks to limit this spending to a level that keeps the core relationship with the independent auditors focused on financial statement review and evaluation.

 

The Committee discussed and reviewed with the Company’s independent auditors all communications required by auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, including those described in Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 “Communication with Audit Committees” as amended and, with and without management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements. In addition, the Committee has discussed various matters with the independent auditors related to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, including all critical accounting policies and practices used, all alternative treatments for material items that have been discussed with Company management, and all other material written communications between the independent auditors and management.

 

The Committee has discussed and reviewed with management and the Company’s independent auditors the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2005, managements’ assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and the independent auditors’ evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Management has the responsibility for the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and the independent auditors have the responsibility for expressing opinions on the conformity of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as well as their own opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with management and the Company’s independent auditors, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee also approved Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2006.

 

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

        Lawrence A. Leser, Chair

        Daniel J. Meyer

        Shirley D. Peterson

        Dr. James A. Thomson

 

27


This excerpt taken from the AKS DEF 14A filed Apr 22, 2005.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company. During 2004, the Committee met eight times and discussed the interim quarterly financial results with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and its independent auditors prior to public release.

 

In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Committee obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditors and the Company that might bear on the auditors’ independence consistent with Independence Standard Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussion with Audit Committees,” discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. The Committee also discussed with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and the internal audit function’s organization, responsibilities and staffing. The Committee reviewed with the Company’s independent auditors and its internal auditors their respective audit plans, audit scope and identification of audit risks.

 

The Committee discussed and reviewed with the Company’s independent auditors all communications required by auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, including those described in Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 “Communication with Audit Committees” as amended and, with and without management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements. In addition, the Committee has discussed various matters with Deloitte & Touche LLP related to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, including all critical accounting policies and practices used, all alternative treatments for material items that have been discussed with Company management, and all other material written communications between Deloitte & Touche LLP and management.

 

In January 2005, the Committee discussed and reviewed with management and the Company’s independent auditors the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004. Management has the responsibility for the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and the independent auditors have the responsibility for the examination of those statements.

 

Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with management and the Company’s independent auditors, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee also approved Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for 2005.

 

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

        Lawrence A. Leser, Chair

        Daniel J. Meyer

        Shirley D. Peterson

        Dr. James A. Thomson

 

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