Proposal 2 — Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed BKD to be the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019, subject to ratification by shareholders. A representative of BKD expected to be present at the annual meeting to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders and will have the opportunity to make a statement should he or she desire to do so.
If the ratification of the appointment of BKD is not approved by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the annual meeting, other independent registered public accounting firms may be considered by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Even if the selection of BKD is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such change is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of BKD, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019.
Set forth below is certain information concerning aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by BKD during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
| | | 2018 | | | 2017 | |
Audit Fees | | | | $ | 101,712 | | | | | $ | 92,663 | | |
Audit-Related Fees | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 125,810 | | |
Tax Fees | | | | $ | 8,900 | | | | | $ | 19,400 | | |
All Other Fees | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | — | | |
Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed to us for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, review of the consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided in connection with our engagement were $101,712 and $92,663 during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Audit Related Fees. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, audit-related fees of $0 and $125,810 were billed, respectively. In 2017, all of such fees consisted of fees for services related to the mutual-to-stock conversion of Eagle Savings Bank and our stock offering, including review of the registration statement and prospectus, the issuance of consents, participation in drafting sessions, the preparation of accounting opinions, assistance with responses to regulatory accounting comments and the preparation of a comfort letter.
Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed to us for professional services rendered for tax preparation, tax consultation and tax compliance were $8,900 and $19,400 during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
All Other Fees. There were no other fees billed during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services, which relate primarily to tax compliance services and tax advice rendered and services performed in connection with the mutual-to-stock conversion of Eagle Savings Bank and our related stock offering, was compatible with maintaining the independence of BKD, LLP. The Audit Committee concluded that performing such services did not affect the independence of BKD, LLP in performing its function as our independent registered public accounting firm.