Purpose
Pursuant to Article IV of the Bylaws of Case Western Reserve University, the purpose of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) shall be to give counsel and assist the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and officers of the university in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to:
- the integrity of the university's financial statements,
- the systems of internal control,
- the performance of the university's independent auditors and internal audit function, the independent auditors' qualifications and independence,
- and the university's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
In so doing, it is the responsibility of the Committee to maintain free and open communication among the Committee members, independent auditors, the internal auditors, and management of the university. The Committee shall take all appropriate actions to set the overall university tone for quality financial reporting, sound business risk practices, and ethical behavior. In recognition of the university in striving to be the most efficiently run research university in the world, the Committee will guide the university in achieving the best financial accounting and reporting as compared to peer institutions or organizations of similar size.
Composition of Committee and Selection of Members
The Committee shall be established and operate as set forth in and pursuant to Article IV of the university’s Bylaws[1]. A majority of Committee members shall be “financially literate,” and at least one member shall be a “financial expert.” Financial literacy is defined as being able to read and understand fundamental financial statements. Financial expert means a person who has: an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements, experience applying such principles, experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements, experience with internal controls, and an understanding of audit committee functions.
The Committee shall consist of members who are independent of management and the university in fact and appearance. Members of the Committee shall be considered independent as long as they do not accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the university and are not affiliated persons of the university, its subsidiaries, or management.
[1] In the event of any conflict between this Charter and the Bylaws, the provisions of the Bylaws shall govern.
Meetings
A majority of the members of the Committee will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Committee shall maintain written minutes of its meetings, which will be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. Reports of all meetings will be made to the Board of Trustees.
The Committee may request any trustee, officer, employee, outside counsel, or independent auditor to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee.
As part of its responsibility to foster open communication, the Committee shall provide sufficient opportunity for the internal and independent auditors to meet privately with the Committee. At least annually, the Committee shall meet separately with the independent auditor, the internal auditor and management.
Responsibilities
While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the Committee's duty to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the university's financial statements are complete, accurate, and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the university's financial statements and for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting policies used by the university. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the university's financial statements.
The duties of the Committee are set forth in the university’s Bylaws, and are further described in this Charter. The following shall be the principal responsibilities of the Committee. The following are set forth as a guide with the understanding that the Committee may modify or supplement them as appropriate.
General
- Review and assess the adequacy of this Charter on a five-year basis or more frequently if deemed necessary.
- Meet with the certified public accountant annually or as often as deemed necessary to be assured that the university is using proper financial procedures, has satisfactory financial personnel and keeps financial records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
- Meet with university financial, accounting, legal, and external and internal audit personnel annually or as often as deemed necessary to assess performance of the auditing and risk management activities.
- Review with management, the independent auditors, and the internal auditors their judgments about: the quality -- not just the acceptability -- of the university's accounting principles, the consistency in the application of accounting policies, the reasonableness of significant judgments, the degree of aggressiveness or conservatism in applying the accounting principles, and the clarity and completeness of the financial statements and related disclosures.
- Review new and significant accounting pronouncements, and understand their impact on the university's financial statements.
- The Committee or its Chair shall pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. Services approved by the Chair should be reported to the entire Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The independent auditor is prohibited from performing any non-audit services that may impact independence and objectivity, including:
- Bookkeeping
- Financial information systems design, implementation, or operation
- Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports
- Actuarial Services
- Internal audit outsourcing services
- Management functions or human resources
- Broker or dealer, investment advisor, or investment banking services
- Legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit
- Preparing the indirect cost proposal or cost allocation plan
- Other services that would violate the U.S. General Accounting Office Independence Standard
External Audit
- Be directly responsible for the selection, appointment, and retention of the university's independent auditor. Evaluate annually the qualifications and performance of the independent auditor. Ensure that the independent auditor assigns the appropriate industry experts to the audit engagement. The independent auditor shall have direct access to the Committee.
- Confirm with management and the independent auditor that the annual financial statements disclose all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations, and other relationships of the university with unconsolidated entities or other persons that may have a material current or future effect on: financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses.
- Review the annual financial statements of the university and the audit report on Federal Awards received by the university as required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance and make recommendations for its approval to the Board.
- On an annual basis, assess the independence of the independent auditor and discuss any relationships disclosed that may impact auditor objectivity and independence.
- On an annual basis, obtain a report from the independent auditor regarding required communications. Review with the independent auditor:
a. Any significant difficulties encountered during the course of the audit, any restrictions on the scope of work or access to required information, and any significant disagreements among management and the independent auditor in connection with the preparation of the financial statements.
b. Any formal communications between the audit team and the auditor's national office regarding auditing or accounting issues.
c. Any letters issued addressing internal controls, business process improvements, or other recommendations, and the schedule of unadjusted differences (if any) prepared by the auditor.
d. Important accounting policies and practices used by the university, all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles, the ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor.
e. Developments and emerging issues in the higher education industry including ways to improve operations or business practices.
- The Committee shall ensure proper rotation of the lead and concurring audit partners on the university's engagement.
Internal Audit
- Review and appraise the organizational structure, adequacy of resources, qualifications, independence, and activities of the university's internal audit function.
- Review and concur with the appointment, reassignment, or termination of the Director of Internal Audit or its equivalent or successor position.
- Review and approve the annual internal audit plan.
- Receive a summary of findings from completed internal audits and the status of implementing related recommendations.
- Receive a progress report on the internal audit plan with explanations for any deviations from the original plan.
Risk Management
- Inquire of management, the internal auditor, and the independent auditor about significant financial, operational, compliance, and reputational risks facing the university. These risks include:
- Financial – Loss of assets or resources. Also includes the reliability of the university's internal and external reporting
- Operational – Effectiveness and efficiency of the university's operations and use of resources
- Compliance – Compliance with laws and regulations as well as compliance with university policies and procedures
- Reputational – Risks that affect the university's reputation or brand. Public relation matters.
- Assess the steps management has taken to mitigate such risks or exposures.
- Review reports on information security --including cyber threats, data systems, and disaster recovery.
- Obtain reports concerning any financial fraud resulting in losses in excess of $10,000 or involving university Officers, Deans, or Vice Presidents.
- Review exceptions on university policies and procedures regarding executive expense accounts and procurement cards and consider the results of any work in these areas by the internal or independent auditor.
Compliance
- Review compliance with governmental laws and regulations.
- Review the IRS Form 990 and all of its disclosures.
- Establish and maintain policies and procedures related to complaints received by the university involving financial accounting and financial reporting, as well as the university’s internal control, risk management, and compliance matters -- including procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. Review reports, prepared by the internal audit, on complaints and disposition of actions taken.
- Recommend courses of action to the Executive Committee on matters referred to the Audit Committee in accordance with the university's conflict of interest and code of conduct policies and related procedures.
- Review and approve the annual compliance work plan and receive progress reports on compliance.
Resources and Authority
The Committee is empowered to investigate any matter brought to its attention with full access to all books, records, facilities, and personnel of the university and with the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors if deemed necessary to carry out its duties at university expense.
Adoption of Charter
The Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees adopted this charter on May 13, 2005, amended May 31, 2019, amended October 24, 2024.