Main navigation INVESTORS COMPANY BRANDS NEWS CAREERS SEARCH Audit/Finance Committee Charter Conagra Brands, Inc. Committee Structure, Composition and Processes The Audit / Finance Committee (the “Committee”) is appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing (1) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, (2) the qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditors and internal auditing department, (3) the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements, and (4) the Company’s perspectives on financing strategies and capital structure, in light of its strategic long range plans. The Committee shall be comprised of at least three directors appointed by the Board, each of whom shall meet the independence and experience requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, as such requirements are interpreted by the Board in its business judgment, and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each member of the Committee shall be financially literate or must become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after appointment to the Committee, as determined by the Board in its business judgment. In addition, at least one member of the Committee shall be an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Members of the Committee shall not simultaneously serve on the audit committees of more than three public companies (including the Company) unless the Board (i) determines that such simultaneous service would not impair the director’s ability to effectively serve on the Committee and (ii) discloses such determination in the Company’s annual proxy statement. The Committee shall have the responsibilities described in this Charter. This Charter has been adopted by the Board. The Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval. The Committee shall make regular reports to the Board and annually evaluate the Committee’s performance. The Committee shall meet at least four times a year, or more frequently as the Committee considers necessary. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for transacting business at a meeting of the Committee. The act of a majority of Committee members present at a Committee meeting at which a quorum is in attendance shall be the act of the Committee, unless a greater number is required by law, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, or its By-Laws. Any Committee member may be excused from a meeting to permit the remaining members of the Committee to act on any matter in which such member’s participation is not appropriate, and such member’s absence will not destroy the quorum for the meeting. The Committee may act by unanimous written consent. The Committee’s function is one of oversight and it recognizes that (i) the Company’s management is responsible for preparing the Company’s financial statements; for the appropriateness of the accounting and reporting policies that are used by the Company; and for establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting; (ii) the independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and (iii) the full Board retains authority to make significant capital allocation decisions on behalf of the Company. In carrying out its oversight responsibilities, the Committee is not providing any expert or special assurance as to the Company’s financial statements or internal control over financial reporting. The Committee has the authority to conduct investigations within the scope of its responsibilities. Independent Auditor Selection, Evaluation and Oversight The Committee shall have sole authority to appoint the independent auditors (subject to ratification by the stockholders). The independent auditor shall report directly to the Committee. The Committee shall be directly responsible for the compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the independent auditor. The Committee shall evaluate the performance of the lead audit partner and of the independent auditors and, if appropriate, replace the independent auditors. The Committee shall meet with the independent auditors prior to the annual audit to review the scope, planning and staffing of the audit. The Committee shall review with the independent auditors any significant problems or difficulties that the auditors may have encountered in connection with the audit (including any disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting and any restrictions on the scope of the independent auditors’ activities or on access to requested information), and review significant issues raised by the auditors and the Company’s response to those issues. The Committee shall (1) ensure the rotation of the lead audit partner and other audit partners as required by law, and (2) establish policies for the Company’s hiring of employees or former employees of the independent auditor. The Committee shall discuss with the independent auditors certain matters regarding the conduct of the annual audit as required by the applicable auditing standards adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as significant audit adjustments and significant accounting policies. The Committee shall receive periodic reports from the independent auditors regarding the auditor’s independence (including the disclosures required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board), discuss such reports with the auditors, and take appropriate action to oversee the independence of the auditors. Internal Audit Oversight The Committee shall provide oversight of the Company’s internal audit function, including reviewing the organization structure, budget, Internal Audit Charter, annual audit plan and all major changes to the plan, results of the internal audit activities, and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls. The Committee shall review the effectiveness of the internal audit function, including conformance with The Institute of Internal Auditors’ Definition of Internal Auditing, Code of Ethics and the International Standards for Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. At least once per year, review the performance of the Chief Audit Executive and concur with the annual compensation and salary adjustment of such Chief Audit Executive. The Committee shall review the appointment and replacement of the Chief Audit Executive, and review significant issues identified by the internal auditing department. Financing Strategy Actions The Committee shall annually review the Company’s financial condition (including matters such as liquidity, debt levels, credit ratings and interest rate risk exposure), capital structure (including sources and uses of capital), and long-term financing strategy. The Committee shall annually review the Company’s dividend strategy and regularly review dividend actions prior to consideration by the Board. The Committee shall annually review the Company’s plans for share repurchase prior to consideration by the full Board. The Committee shall annually review the Company’s capital expenditure budget prior to consideration by the full Board. The Committee will review and, as necessary, make recommendations to the Board regarding the continued appropriateness of standing Board-approved capital expenditure guidelines. The Committee shall periodically review actual performance of capital expenditure projects against approved authorizations. The Committee shall annually review the Company’s insurance program, including the credit quality of its insurance carriers and reinsurers, the scope and limitations of coverage. The Committee shall periodically review the performance and funding of the Company’s retirement and pension programs. The Committee shall periodically review reports from management with respect to the Company’s tax status and strategy. Oversight of Matters Required in Annual Proxy Statement Report The Committee shall meet to review and discuss the annual audited financial statements, including reviewing the specific disclosures made in management’s discussion and analysis, with management and the independent auditors. The Committee shall determine whether to recommend to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee shall prepare the audit committee report required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement. Additional Committee Action The Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by the independent auditor. The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members the authority to grant such pre-approvals. The Committee shall consider whether the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independent auditor’s independence. The Committee shall establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. The Committee shall discuss with management the Company’s earnings press releases, including the use of any non-GAAP information, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. Such discussion may be done generally (consisting of discussing the types of information to be disclosed and the types of presentations to be made). The Committee shall meet to review and discuss the Company’s quarterly financial statements, including reviewing the specific disclosures made in management’s discussion and analysis, with management and the independent auditors. The Committee shall review disclosures made by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during their certification process for the Form 10-K and Form 10‑Q about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls. The Committee shall, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties, have the authority to engage and obtain advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting, or other advisors. The Company shall provide funding, as determined by the Committee, for such Committee actions and for compensation of any external auditor or any other advisor engaged by the Committee and for ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee. The Committee shall conduct a reasonable prior review and provide oversight of all related party transactions for potential conflicts of interests in accordance with its written policy regarding such transactions and, at least annually, review and assess each ongoing related party transaction to determine whether the relationship remains appropriate. Reports to the Audit / Finance Committee The Committee shall review reports from the independent auditors on (1) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used, (2) all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor, and (3) other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences. The Committee shall review a report from the independent auditor at least annually regarding (1) the independent auditor’s internal quality-control procedures, (2) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, (3) any steps taken by the independent auditor to deal with such issues, and (4) all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company. The Committee shall review reports from management and/or the independent auditor with respect to (1) major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles, and major issues as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies, (2) analyses setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements, and (3) the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the Company. The Committee shall review reports from management and discuss policies with respect to significant enterprise-wide risks facing the Company, including, but not limited to financial risks such as derivative and treasury risks and associated regulatory requirements, cybersecurity and information technology risks, and operational risks, and how such risks are being identified, assessed and managed by the Company and management. At least annually the Committee will review and recommend for approval of the full Board the membership of the company’s Enterprise Risk Management Committee and its Risk Oversight Committee. The Committee shall obtain reports from management, the Company’s internal auditing department, and/or the Company’s general counsel with respect to (1) the Company’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations, (2) compliance with the Company’s Code of Conduct and the Company’s Code of Ethics for Senior Corporate Officers, (3) the results of Internal Audit reviews, and (4) the status of significant legal matters. The Committee shall meet separately, periodically, with management, including the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller, the Chief Audit Executive. The Committee shall also meet separately, periodically, with the independent auditors, and the individuals responsible for the Company’s internal audit function. The Committee may request any member of management to attend a meeting of the Committee. INVESTORS Stock Information Financial Reports & Filings Financial News Events & Presentations Shareholder Services Corporate Governance Principles Code of Conduct (PDF) Code of Ethics for Senior Corporate Officers Board Committees Audit/Finance Human Resources Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Political Activity Disclosure Contact the Audit/Finance Committee Contact the Board Investor Contacts Get a taste of how we innovate. CONAGRA INNOVATION Footer menu PRIVACY POLICY LEGAL POLICY SUPPLY CHAIN DISCLOSURE FRAUD NOTICE SITE MAP FAQ CONTACT US DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT Footer Navigation INVESTORS Stock Information Financial Reports Shareholder Services NEWS News Releases CAREERS Search Jobs INTERNATIONAL SITES Canada Mexico OUR OTHER SITES Conagra Foodservice Conagra Nutrition Ready Set Eat ©Conagra Brands, Inc. All Rights Reserved. We store your consent for 13 months with 18 partners for Analytics Provider, Marketing & Advertising, Strictly Necessary, Functional, and Social Media. Read our policy Accept All