6.
To ensure the regular rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law and consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, it is appropriate to adopt a policy of rotating the independent accounting firm on a regular basis.
7.
To recommend to the Board of Directors policies for the Company’s hiring of employees or former employees of the independent accountants who participated in any capacity in the audit of the Company.
8.
To discuss with the national office of the independent accountants, if appropriate, issues on which they were consulted by the Company’s audit team and matters of audit quality and consistency.
9.
To consider the effect on the Company of:
(a)
any changes in accounting principles or practices proposed by management or the independent accountants;
(b)
any changes in service providers, such as the Company’s accountants or administrators, that could impact the Company’s internal controls; and
(c)
any changes in schedules (such as fiscal or tax year-end changes) or structures or transactions that require special accounting activities or resources.
10.
To review a presentation by the independent accountants with respect to the Company’s qualification under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and amounts distributed and reported to stockholders for federal tax purposes.
11.
To annually review a formal written statement from the independent accountants delineating all relationships between the independent accountants and the Company, consistent with applicable standards of the Independence Standards Board, and discussing with the independent accountants their methods and procedures for insuring independence.
12.
To interact with the Company’s independent accountants, including reviewing and, where necessary, assisting in resolution of disagreements that have arisen between management and the independent accountants regarding financial reporting.
Financial Statements and Disclosure Matters
13.
To review and discuss with management and the independent accountants the annual audited financial statements, including disclosures made in management’s discussion and analysis, and recommend to the Board of Directors whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
14.
To review and discuss with management and the independent accountants the Company’s earnings releases and quarterly financial statements prior to the filing of its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including the results of the independent accountants’ reviews of the quarterly financial statements.
15.
To meet with the Company’s independent accountants periodically during each fiscal year, including private meetings, and review written materials prepared by the independent accountants, and, as appropriate:
(a)
to review the arrangements for and the scope of the annual audit and any special audits or other special permissible services;
(b)
to review the Company’s financial statements and to discuss any matters of concern arising in connection with audits of such financial statements, including any adjustments to such statements recommended by the independent accountants or any other results of the audits;
(c)
to consider and review, as appropriate and in consultation with the independent accountants, the appropriateness and adequacy of the Company’s financial and accounting policies, procedures and internal accounting controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of key service providers, and to review management’s responses to the independent accountants’