Audit Committee

Ulla Litzén (chairman), Eva Karlsson, Karsten Slotte, Jan Söderberg and Per-Olof Söderberg are members of the Committee. The Audit Committee has both an advisory and preparatory function for decision matters prior to review and decision by Ratos's Board.

Work of the Audit Committee

Each year, the Audit Committee adopts a fiscal cycle for its working duties and areas for which the Audit Committee is responsible. In 2019, adjustments were made to the Audit Committee’s fiscal cycle and formal work plan. The Audit Committee is responsible for and monitors according to an adopted schedule, among other things, accounting and reporting, audit, internal control, corporate governance, risk management, purchases of non-audit-related services, tax payment, the parent company’s guarantee and equity commitments, IT security, insurance, disputes and strategic accounting matters as well as compliance with rules and regulations and certain policy documents adopted by Ratos’s Board. Furthermore, the Audit Committee oversees Ratos’s externally operated whistleblowing system. The Audit Committee’s work follows Ratos’s interim reporting and Ratos’s work on valuation matters and impairment testing, with five regular meetings held every year where the auditor participates in all Committee meetings. Specific matters addressed in 2019 included valuation and impairment matters, follow-up of bank terms, commitments concerning capital contributions and disputes. The CEO and senior executives normally attend the meetings of the Committee to present specific matters.

The main duties of the Audit Committee are as follow:

• monitor the financial reporting and submit recommendations and proposals to secure the accuracy of the reports
• with regard to the financial reporting, monitor the efficiency of the company’s internal control, internal audit and risk management
• consider valuation issues and assessments in closing accounts
• keep itself informed about the audit of the annual accounts and consolidated financial statements and the Supervisory Board of Public Accountants’ quality control as well as review the audit process
• review and monitor the auditor’s impartiality and independence and thereby give particular attention as to whether the auditor provides the company with other services than audit services
• issue guidelines for services other than audits that are provided by the auditor and, when applicable, approve such services in accordance with such guidelines
• assist with preparation of a proposal for a general meeting resolution on election of auditors as well as decision relating to fees to auditors
• ensure that the Group’s six-month report is reviewed by the Group’s auditor
• discuss and prepare Board decisions regarding risk and internal control

The Audit Committee submits proposals on matters that require a Board decision and the minutes are made available to all members of the Board. The Chairman of the Committee maintains regular contact with the company’s auditor.