13.07.2015 Views

Allergan Audit Committee Charter

Allergan Audit Committee Charter

Allergan Audit Committee Charter

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

CHARTERAUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEEALLERGANAs revised at the September 23, 2013 Board of Directors’ MeetingPURPOSEThe <strong>Audit</strong> and Finance <strong>Committee</strong> (“AFC”) is appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”)to assist the Board (1) in fulfilling its audit oversight responsibilities and (2) in the review andapproval of corporate financial policy and strategy.Although it is not the function of the AFC to act as an auditor, in its audit role the AFC shall beresponsible for the oversight of the financial reporting process. In its audit oversight role, theAFC shall have the following primary duties and responsibilities:To review the integrity of the Corporation’s financial statements, financial reporting processand systems of internal controls regarding finance and accounting;To assist the Board in its oversight of the Corporation’s compliance with legal and regulatoryrequirements that relate principally to financial matters;To review the independence, qualifications and performance of the Corporation’sindependent auditor and internal auditing department;To provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditor, management, theinternal auditing department, and the Board; andTo prepare the report that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rulesrequire to be included in the Corporation’s annual proxy statement.In its role overseeing financial policy and strategy, the AFC shall be responsible for the reviewand oversight of the following areas:Capital Structure;Financial Operations;Banking;Employee Benefit Plan Assets and Investment Strategy; andFinancial Organization.The AFC shall have the authority to conduct any investigation appropriate to fulfilling itsresponsibilities and it shall have direct access to the independent auditor as well as to anyone inthe Corporation. In fulfilling its audit oversight responsibilities, the AFC shall have the ability toretain, at the Corporation’s expense, special legal, accounting, or other consultants or experts itdeems necessary in the performance of its duties.AFC 09-23-2013 Page 1


CHARTERAUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEEALLERGANAUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE COMPOSITION AND MEETINGSThe AFC shall be composed of three or more directors as determined by the Board, each ofwhom shall be independent nonemployee directors, free from any relationship that wouldinterfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment, and as required by theindependence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and Securities Exchange Act of1934 (the “Exchange Act”) Rule 10-A3(b)(1). All members of the AFC shall have a basicunderstanding of finance and accounting and be able to read and understand fundamentalfinancial statements within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the AFC,and at least one member of the AFC shall have accounting or related financial managementexpertise as determined by the Board in its business judgment. In addition, either at least onemember of the AFC shall be an “audit committee financial expert” within the definition adoptedby the SEC or the Corporation shall disclose in its periodic reports required pursuant to theExchange Act the reasons why at least one member of the AFC is not an “audit committeefinancial expert.” No AFC member may simultaneously serve on the audit committee of morethan three public companies, unless the Board determines that such simultaneous servicewould not impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the AFC and suchdetermination is disclosed in the Corporation’s annual proxy statement. AFC members shall beappointed by the Board, which shall also elect one AFC member as Chairman of the AFC. AFCmembers may be removed from the AFC, with or without cause, by the Board.The AFC shall meet at least four times annually, or more frequently as circumstances dictate.An agenda shall be circulated in advance of each meeting. The AFC should meet regularly andprivately in executive session and separately with management, the director of the internal auditdepartment, the independent auditor and as a committee to discuss any matters that the AFC orany of these groups believe should be discussed. In addition, the Chairman of the AFC shouldcommunicate with management and the independent auditor quarterly to review theCorporation’s financial statements and significant findings based upon the auditor’s limitedreview procedures.All non-management directors that are not members of the AFC may attend and observemeetings of the AFC, but shall not participate in any discussion or deliberation unless invited todo so by the AFC, and in any event shall not be entitled to vote. The AFC may, at its discretion,include in its meetings members of the Corporation’s management, representatives of theindependent auditor, the internal auditor, any other financial personnel employed or retained bythe Corporation or any other persons whose presence the AFC believes to be necessary orappropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the AFC may also exclude from its meetings anypersons it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, any non-management director that isnot a member of the AFC.AFC 09-23-2013 Page 2


CHARTERAUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEEALLERGANAUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIESA. <strong>Audit</strong> Oversight. In its audit oversight role, the AFC shall have the followingresponsibilities and duties:Review Procedures1. Review and reassess the adequacy of this <strong>Charter</strong> at least annually. Submit anychanges to the <strong>Charter</strong> to the Board for approval and have the document published atleast every three years in accordance with SEC regulations.2. Perform an evaluation of the AFC and its members, including an evaluation of the AFC’scompliance with this <strong>Charter</strong>.3. In consultation with management, the independent auditor and the internal auditors,consider the integrity of the Corporation’s financial reporting processes and controls.Discuss significant financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken tomonitor, control and report such exposures. Review significant findings prepared by theindependent auditor and the internal auditing department, together with management’sresponses thereto.4. Review and discuss the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financialstatements with management and the independent auditor, including the Corporation’sdisclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition andResults of Operations.” Review should include discussion with management and theindependent auditor of significant issues regarding accounting principles, practices andjudgments. Discuss any significant changes to the Corporation’s accounting principlesand any items required to be communicated by the independent auditor in accordancewith SAS 61. The Chairman of the AFC may represent the entire AFC for purposes ofthis review. It is management’s responsibility to prepare financial statements inaccordance with GAAP and to ensure that financial statements filed with the SEC fairlyand accurately represent the financial condition of the Corporation. Furthermore,management is charged with fully briefing the AFC on significant issues regardingaccounting principles, practices and judgments.5. Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor: (a) any materialarrangements or transactions that are not reflected on the Corporation’s financialstatements and (b) any material related party transactions involving terms that differ fromthose that would typically be negotiated with independent parties.6. On a yearly basis, the AFC shall review the process by which the CEO and CFO engagein a due diligence for and execute the quarterly financial statement certifications requiredby the Sarbanes Oxley Act.Independent <strong>Audit</strong>or7. Exercise oversight of the independent auditor. Exercise sole authority and responsibilityfor the appointment and termination of the independent auditor and to annually reconfirmits appointment. Review the independence and performance of the independent auditor.The AFC should present its conclusions with respect to the independence of theAFC 09-23-2013 Page 3


CHARTERAUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEECorporation’s independent auditor to the full Board.ultimately accountable to the AFC and the Board.ALLERGANThe independent auditor is8. Approve the fees and other significant compensation to be paid to the independentauditor (subject, if applicable, to stockholder ratification). The AFC is directlyresponsible for the oversight of the independent auditor and has sole authority andresponsibility for their appointment, termination and compensation (subject, if applicable,to stockholder ratification). The independent auditor will report directly to the AFC andthe AFC will be responsible for the resolution of any disagreements betweenmanagement and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting.The AFC shall approve all audit fees and terms and all non-audit services provided bythe independent auditor, and shall consider whether these services are compatible withthe auditor's independence. The AFC may develop a streamlined process for approvingnon-audit and audit services between AFC meetings. In connection with the annualproxy statement, the AFC will consider and report whether the provision of non-auditservices is compatible with the auditor's independence.In evaluating non-audit services, the AFC will weigh such factors as the benefitsprovided by the auditor's familiarity with the Corporation, its controls, processes, taxposition, and overall business strategy, and the extent to which the services may provideinsight to the accounting firm in performing the audit of the Corporation.The AFC will establish policies and procedures for the engagement of the independentauditor to provide non-audit services.9. The AFC shall, at least annually, obtain and review a report by the independent auditorsdescribing: (a) the outside auditors’ internal quality control procedures and (b) anymaterial issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review or peer review ofthe outside auditors, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professionalauthorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent auditscarried out by the outside auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues.10. On an annual basis, review and discuss with the independent auditor all significantrelationships it has with the Corporation.11. Review the independent auditor’s audit plan. Discuss scope, staffing, locations, relianceupon management and internal audit and general audit approach.12. Consider the independent auditor’s judgments about the quality and appropriateness ofthe Corporation’s accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting, including anyaudit problems or difficulties and management’s response.13. Discuss earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidanceprovided to analysts and rating agencies.14. Set clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the Corporation’sindependent auditor.15. Review the Corporation’s compliance with the Corporation’s hiring policy for employeesor former employees of the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm.AFC 09-23-2013 Page 4


CHARTERAUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEEALLERGAN16. At least every third year, evaluate whether to request proposals for engagement frombetween two and five independent audit firms, other than the independent audit firm thenserving as the Corporation’s independent auditor. If the AFC deems appropriate, theAFC shall solicit input from the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief FinancialOfficer, Principal Accounting Officer, Controller, and any other appropriate individuals(collectively, the “Evaluation Officers”) as part of this evaluation process. Suchevaluation shall consider switchover costs, the quality of service being provided by thecurrent independent auditor, the reasonableness of the current independent auditor’scost, the Corporation’s ability to access the necessary expertise within the currentindependent auditor and the independence of the current independent auditor as well as,if received, the input provided by the Evaluation Officers.Internal <strong>Audit</strong> Department17. Review the budget, plan, changes in plan, activities, organizational structure, andqualifications of the internal audit department, as needed.18. Review the appointment, performance and when necessary replacement of the seniorinternal audit executive.19. Review significant reports prepared by the internal audit department, together withmanagement’s response and follow-up to these reports.20. Periodically review with the Corporation’s counsel any legal matters that could have asignificant impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.Other AFC <strong>Audit</strong> Oversight Responsibilities21. Annually prepare a report to stockholders as required by the SEC. The report should beincluded in the Corporation’s annual proxy statement.22. Perform any other activities consistent with this <strong>Charter</strong>, the Corporation’s Bylaws andgoverning law, as the AFC or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.23. Maintain minutes of meetings and regularly report to the Board on significant results ofthe foregoing activities.24. The AFC shall establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment ofcomplaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting, internal accountingcontrols or auditing matters. The AFC shall also establish procedures for theconfidential and anonymous submission by employees regarding questionableaccounting or auditing matters.25. Periodically review audit results associated with directors’ and officers’ expenseaccounts and perquisites. Annually review a summary of directors’ and officers’ relatedparty transactions and potential conflicts of interest.AFC 09-23-2013 Page 5


CHARTERAUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEEALLERGAN26 Annually evaluate the AFC’s performance in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities underthis <strong>Charter</strong>, and review and reassess the adequacy of this <strong>Charter</strong> and recommend anyproposed changes to the Board for approval.B. Finance Oversight. In its finance oversight role, the AFC shall have the followingresponsibilities and duties:Capital Structure1. Review and recommend to the Board approval of the capital structure and the financingplan for the year including approval of short-term and long-term debt programs.2. Review dividend strategy.3. Review financing strategies for transactions in excess of $20 million.4. Review interest rate and currency exposure management and hedging strategies andmonitor performance.5. Review and evaluate financial management strategies designed to enhance stockholdervalue.6. Review cash flow forecasts on a periodic basis.7. Review strategy for investment of corporate funds and monitor performance.8. Review balance sheet performance.9. Review recommendations regarding stock splits and treasury share purchases.10. Review periodically the geographical source of the Corporation's earning power and thelocation of the Corporation's principal assets.11. As necessary, review current developments in accounting.12. Periodically review IT systems and security to ensure accurate and timely financialreporting, forecasting and planning.Financial Operations13. Review long-term tax strategy, the annual tax rate calculation and the repatriation ofCorporation earnings. Monitor effects of U.S. and international tax regulations.14. Review risk assessment and risk management, including enterprise risk managementand insurance programs.Banking15. Review the major commercial banking, financial consulting and other financial relationsof the Corporation to assure adequacy of coverage.AFC 09-23-2013 Page 6


CHARTERAUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEEALLERGAN16. Review on an annual basis with the Finance Department the fees paid to theCorporation’s bankers and banking advisors.Employee Benefit Plans17. Review the performance of the ECOM Global Investment and Benefits Subcommitteewith respect to plan actuarial assumptions, accounting determinations, funding levels,asset investment and allocation strategies, manager and trustee selection and overalloperations.Financial Organization18. Review and evaluate the Corporation's financial organization, staffing thereof, andsuccession planning.AFC 09-23-2013 Page 7

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!