What is an Audit Committee?

An audit committee is a section of a company's board of directors in charge of ensuring that there are transparency and accuracy in financial reporting and disclosure. It is regarded as one of the company's major operating committees on the board of directors. It is a requirement in the United States, for all publicly traded companies to maintain a competent and qualified audit committee to be able to qualify for listing on the stock exchange. The audit committee members should comprise of independent outside directors, and at least one person should be a financial expert with proven qualifications.

What Does an Audit Committee Do?

In the corporate world, the audit committee plays a major role in any given organization as far as controlling, directing, and accountability are concerned. It represents the board of directors and the major part of the corporate governance mechanism. Its involvement in the organization also touches on:

• Both external and internal audits
• Accounting
• Internal control
• Financial reporting
• Regulatory compliance
• Risk management

Audit committees are generally known for their effectiveness in corporate governance when it comes to reducing deceitful financial reports. They have the obligation of protecting and preserving the equity and interest of the shareholders. To achieve this, they have to oversee the activities of the management of the organization as well as external and internal auditors. To ensure transparency in the financial reports and statements, the audit committee report has to be part of the firms proxy statement. The reports should say if the audit committee conducted a discussion and review of the financial statements with the internal auditors and management. Note that the audit committee has the authority to acquire any expertise and consulting resources they may need to execute their duties and responsibility. Generally, it is the responsibility of the audit committee to monitor and share financial information that is correct, complete, accurate, and reliable with the public. There should be no gaps in the report that may lead to uninformed expectations or predictions.

How the Audit Committee Works with Example

To verify if their financial analysts and managers are using the right procedure in financial reports and statements, organizations usually engage the audit committee. Some of the financial procedure it observes includes business regulations, risk management, and accounting policies. The committee also assists organizations in creating financial reporting procedures.

Example

Lets assume the company ABC is nearing the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. So, it decides to engage an audit committee, to review its financial reporting and figures if they are accurate. The company then approaches a panel of 5-7 people from outside to form the official committee. The committee is brought before the board of directors for approval, and they then proceed to start the auditing process. The committee uses federal regulatory policies and guidelines to analyze the adherence and efficacy of the said standards by different company departments. The committee confirms that the financial regulations were followed and that the company's financial reports and statements are correct. While wrapping up the audit process, the committee will give the company recommendations to help it improve on the financial reporting and operation.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Audit Committee

The audit committees typical duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Maintaining communication with the company's controller and chief financial officer
• Oversight of financial reporting to ensure that it is accurate
• Monitoring of accounting policies to ensure that they comply with the set regulations
• Discussing risk management policies with the company's management
• Whistleblowing in case of any irregularities in the financial reports and statements
• Communication with the company's shareholders on their activities
• Initiating investigation in case there is a problem with the accounts

Qualifications for the Audit Committee Members

Knowledge and Skills - The members that form the audit committee should possess the necessary experience as well as skills. Any member of the audit committee should be knowledgeable in the following:

• The external and internal audit process
• The internal financial control
• Corporate law and regulations
• Risk management policies
• The integrated reporting especially financial reporting
• The general process of governance within an organization
• Information and technology governance
• Education qualifications

Education Qualifications - According to the companies act, it is a requirement for one third of the audit committee members to have any of the following academic qualifications or work experience:

• Economics
• Law
• Corporate governance
• Finance
• Accounting
• Commerce public affairs
• Industry
• Human resource management

Key Factors to Enhance Audit Committee Effectiveness

To enhance the effectiveness of an audit committee, the following factors should be put into consideration: 

Audit Committee transparency Transparency is key for enhancing the effectiveness of an audit committee. The committees disclosure is one of the important aspects when it comes to transparency, as it makes reporting more meaningful. The disclosure should revolve around the work and other key areas of the audit committees operations. The disclosure should give insights issues that the committee can put into consideration as far as the financial statements and reports are concerned. It should also show how the committee was able to address the issues. Generally, determining how the committee discharges the audit process is essential. It enables the organizations board of directors to assess its performance and effectiveness for transparency purposes. 

Effective Communication Effective communication is also another factor that enhances the effectiveness of an audit committee. When there is a good flow of information to and from the audit committee, it shows how effective it is. Effective communication should apply to the following:

• Written and oral
• Formal and informal
• Internal and external audit
• Communication with the company's management, CFO, and board

Generally, the audit committee needs to communicate with the management and board of directors and explain to them how it has been able to discharge the audit process. It needs to have a broad discussion to deliberate on key aspects of the entire audit process, highlighting issues that may require the boards input. 

Committee Composition Another factor that can enhance the effectiveness of the audit committee is the composition. The composition of the audit committee must be made up of individuals who are skilled and competent. It is a requirement that one-third of the members should have perfect knowledge in finance as well as a diversity of experience in financial reporting oversight. Members of the audit committee should also have the urge to continue learning and developing themselves. By doing this, they will keep-up-to-date on the current and emerging issues in the world of finance and accounting. 

Efficient and Effective Working Methods The audit committee should find efficient methods of executing their work, especially with the increase in risks and complexity in their workload. Clear terms and references with well spelled out duties and responsibilities is a good example of best work practices.

Related Topics

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• What is Business Governance?
• Berle-Means Thesis 
• Corporate Governance Rating Definition
• Who are the members of a corporation?
• Corporate Charter
• Shareholder Register
• Common Stock
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• Unissued Shares of Stock
• Outstanding Shares
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• What is a closely-held corporation?
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• What is a Private Company vs a Public Company?
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• What is the role & rights of Shareholders in the corporation?
  
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• Amotion
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• Chairman of the Board
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• Chief Investment Officer (CIO)
• Chief Legal Officer
• Chief Operating Officer
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• What are the primary state and federal corporate governance laws?
• What is the role of the state in corporate governance?
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