TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
I.
PURPOSE
The Audit Committee (Audit Committee or Committee) is a committee of the
Board of Directors (the Board) of Goldcorp Inc. (Goldcorp or the Company).
The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its statutory
responsibilities in relation to internal control and financial reporting, and carries out
certain oversight functions on behalf of the Board, including the oversight of:
II.
A.
the integrity of the Companys financial statements and other financial
information provided by the Company to securities regulators, governmental
bodies or the public;
B.
the Companys compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
C.
assessing the independence, qualifications, performance and recommending
the appointment of the Companys independent auditor to the Companys
Board of directors and overseeing the non-audit services provided by the
independent auditor,
D.
the performance of the Companys internal audit function;
E.
standards of business conduct and ethics for directors, senior management
and employees; &
F.
management responsibility for assessing reporting the effectiveness of
internal controls; and
G.
the Companys enterprise risk management processes.
COMPOSITION AND OPERATIONS
A.
The Committee shall operate under the guidelines applicable to all Board
committees, which are located in item 31(vii) of Tab A-8, Board Guidelines.
B.
The Audit Committee shall be comprised of at least three directors, all of
whom are independent as such term is defined in Appendix A of the Board
Guidelines (Tab A-8).
C.
In addition, unless otherwise authorized by the Board, no director shall be
qualified to be a member of the Audit Committee if such director (i) is an
affiliated person, as defined in Appendix One, or (ii) receives (or his/her
immediate family member or the entity for which such director is a director,
member, partner or principal and which provides consulting, legal,
Amended by the Audit Committee on July 26, 2016, approved by the Board of Directors on July 27, 2016
page 1
investment banking, financial or other similar services to the Company
receives), directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other
compensation from the Company other than compensation for serving in his
or her capacity as member of the Board and as a member of Board
committees.
D.
All members shall, to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors, be
financially literate as defined in Appendix One, and at least one member
shall have accounting or related financial management expertise to qualify
as a financial expert as defined in Appendix One.
E.
If a Committee member simultaneously serves on the audit committees of
more than three public companies, the Committee shall seek the Boards
determination as to whether such simultaneous service would impair the
ability of such member to effectively serve on the Companys audit
committee and ensure that such determination is disclosed.
F.
The Committee shall meet at least four times annually, or more frequently
as circumstances require. The Committee shall meet within 45 days
following the end of each of the first three financial quarters to review and
discuss the unaudited financial results for the preceding quarter and the
related MD&A and shall meet within 90 days following the end of the fiscal
year end to review and discuss the audited financial results for the year and
related MD&A prior to their publishing.
G.
The Committee may ask members of management or others to attend
meetings and provide pertinent information as necessary. For purposes of
performing their audit related duties, members of the Committee shall have
full access to all corporate information and shall be permitted to discuss
such information and any other matters relating to the financial position of
the Company with senior employees, officers and independent auditors of
the Company.
H.
As part of its job to foster open communication, the Committee should meet
at least annually with management and the independent auditor in separate
executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Committee or each of
these groups believe should be discussed privately. In addition, the
Committee or at least its Chair should meet with the independent auditor
and management quarterly to review the Companys financial statements.
I.
Each of the Chairman of the Committee, members of the Committee,
Chairman of the Board, independent auditors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer or Secretary shall be entitled to request that the Chairman
of the Audit Committee call a meeting which shall be held within 48 hours of
receipt of such request.
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III.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
To fulfill its responsibilities and duties the Audit Committee shall:
A.
Approve an agenda for the ensuing year.
B.
Review and update these Terms of Reference at least annually, as conditions
dictate.
C.
Describe briefly in the Companys Management Information Circular the
Committees composition and responsibilities and how they were
discharged.
D.
Review Significant and Material Financial Documents and support related
thereto to be released by the Company and other documents as outlined
herein:
i)
Review with management and the independent auditors, the
Companys interim and annual financial statements, management
discussion and analysis, earnings releases and any reports or other
financial information to be submitted to any governmental and/or
regulatory body, or the public, including any certification, report,
opinion, or review rendered by the independent auditor for the
purpose of recommending their approval to the Board prior to their
filing, issue or publication. The Chair of the Committee may
represent the entire Committee for purposes of this review in
circumstances where time does not allow the full Committee to be
available.
ii)
Review analyses prepared by management and/or the independent
auditor 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 and
IFRS methods on the financial statements.
iii)
Review the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as
off balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the
Company. For example, application of SECs S1504 Dodd Frank
legislation.
iv)
Ensure that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the
Companys public disclosure of financial information extracted or
derived from the issuers financial statements, as well as review any
financial information, non-GAAP metrics contained in the MDA and
basis of presentation and earnings guidance provided to analysts and
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rating agencies, and periodically assess the adequacy of those
procedures.
E.
v)
Review policies and procedures with respect to directors and
officers expense accounts and management perquisites and
benefits, including their use of corporate assets and expenditures
related to executive travel and entertainment, and review the results
of the procedures performed in these areas by the independent
auditor, based on terms of reference agreed upon by the
independent auditor and the Audit Committee.
vi)
Review expenses of the Non-Executive Board Chair and of the CEO
annually.
vii)
Review the Companys aircraft flight record annually.
Interaction with the Independent Auditor (The Auditor) will be as follows:
i)
The external auditors will report directly to the Audit Committee as
representatives of the shareholders. They are to be available to the
Audit Committee and the full Board as needed.
ii)
Recommend to the Board and approve the selection of the auditor,
consider their independence and effectiveness, and approve the fees
and other compensation to be paid.
iii)
Continuously monitor the relationship between management and
the Auditor including reviewing any management letters or other
reports issued and discussing any material differences of opinion
between management and the auditor.
iv)
Review and discuss, on an annual basis, with the Auditor all
significant relationships they have with the Company to determine
their independence and report to the Board of Directors.
v)
Review and approve requests for any non-audit services to be
performed by the Auditor and be advised of any other study
undertaken at the request of management that is beyond the scope
of the audit engagement letter and related fees. Pre-approval of
non-audit services is satisfied if:
a)
the aggregate amount of non-audit services not preapproved are expected to constitute no more than 5% of
total fees paid by issuer and subsidiaries to external auditor
during fiscal year in which the services are provided;
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b)
the Company or a subsidiary did not recognize services as
non-audit at the time of the engagement; and
c)
the services are promptly brought to Committees attention
and approved prior to completion of the audit.
vi)
Ensure disclosure of any specific policies or procedures adopted by
the Committee to satisfy pre-approval requirements for non-audit
services by the Auditor.
vii)
Review the relationship of non-audit fees to audit fees paid to the
Auditor, to ensure that auditor independence is maintained.
viii)
Ensure that both the audit and non-audit fees are disclosed to
shareholders by category.
ix)
Review the performance of the Auditor and approve any proposed
discharge and replacement when circumstances warrant. Consider
with management and the Auditor the rationale for employing
accounting/auditing firms other than the principal independent
auditor. Present the results to the Board.
x)
At least annually, consult with the Auditor, out of the presence of
management, about significant risks or exposures, internal controls
and other steps that management has taken to control such risks,
and the fullness and accuracy of the organizations financial
statements. Particular emphasis should be given to the adequacy of
internal controls to expose any payments, transactions, or
procedures that might be deemed illegal or otherwise improper.
xi)
At least annually, receive input from the CEO and/or the CFO on
audit quality, quality of engagement team, and relationship with the
auditor.
xii)
Oversee the work of the Auditors engaged for the purpose of
preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit,
review or attest services.
xiii)
Ensure that the Auditors are prohibited from providing the following
non-audit services and determining which other non-audit services
the independent auditors are prohibited from providing:
a)
bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting
records or financial statements of the Company;
b)
financial information systems design and implementation;
Amended by the Audit Committee on July 26, 2016, approved by the Board of Directors on July 27, 2016
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F.
G.
c)
appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or
contribution-in-kind reports;
d)
actuarial services;
e)
internal audit outsourcing services;
f)
management functions or human resources;
g)
broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking
services;
h)
legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and
i)
any other services which the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board determines to be impermissible.
xiv)
Approve any permissible non-audit engagements of the Auditors, in
accordance with applicable legislation.
xv)
At least every 5 years, perform a comprehensive review of the
Auditor, including a comprehensive review of the firms history with
the Auditor.
Provide oversight of Internal Audit as follows:
i)
Review and approve the mandate, risk assessment, audit coverage,
planned areas of focus, budget and staffing of internal audit;
ii)
Review the independence of the internal audit function;
iii)
Review the quarterly report of the leader of internal audit regarding
internal audit findings, and the Companys progress in remedying
any audit findings;
iv)
Quarterly, meet with the leader of internal audit to discuss the
adequacy of the Companys internal controls, significant risks and
other matters; and
v)
Annually assess the performance of the leader of internal audit,
including the role and effectiveness of internal audit in the overall
context of the Companys risk management and control system.
Financial Reporting Processes
Amended by the Audit Committee on July 26, 2016, approved by the Board of Directors on July 27, 2016
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H.
i)
In consultation with the Auditor, review the integrity of the
organizations financial and accounting controls and reporting
processes, both internal and external.
ii)
Consider the Auditors judgments about the quality and
appropriateness, not just the acceptability, of the Companys
accounting principles and financial disclosure practices, as applied in
its financial reporting, particularly about the degree of
aggressiveness or conservatism of its accounting principles and
underlying estimates and whether those principles are common
practices or are minority practices.
iii)
Consider and approve, if appropriate, major changes to the
Companys accounting principles and practices as suggested by
management with the concurrence of the Auditor and ensure that
the accountants' reasoning is described in determining the
appropriateness of changes in accounting principles and disclosure.
Review of Results related to External and Internal Audits
i)
Discuss with Auditors (i) the auditors internal quality-control
procedures; and (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent
internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the auditors, or by
any inquiry of investigation by governmental or professional
authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more
independent audits carried out by the auditors, and any steps taken
to deal with any such issues.
ii)
Review and approve hiring for employees or former employees of
the past and present independent auditors for significant financial
positions.
iii)
Establish regular and separate systems of reporting to the Audit
Committee by each of management and the Auditor regarding any
significant judgments made in managements preparation of the
financial statements and the view of each as to appropriateness of
such judgments.
iv)
Review the scope and plans of the Auditor's audit and reviews prior
to the audit and reviews being conducted. The Committee may
authorize the independent auditor to perform supplemental reviews
or audits as the Committee may deem desirable.
Amended by the Audit Committee on July 26, 2016, approved by the Board of Directors on July 27, 2016
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I.
v)
Following completion of the annual audit and quarterly reviews,
review separately with each of management and the Auditor any
significant changes to planned procedures, any difficulties
encountered during the course of the audit and reviews, including
any restrictions on the scope of work or access to required
information and the cooperation that the independent auditor
received during the course of the audit and reviews.
vi)
Review any significant disagreements among management and the
independent auditor in connection with the preparation of the
financial statements.
vii)
Where there are significant unsettled issues the Committee shall
ensure that there is an agreed course of action for the resolution of
such matters.
viii)
Review with the Auditor and management significant findings during
the year and the extent to which changes or improvements in
financial or accounting practices, as approved by the Audit
Committee, have been implemented. This review should be
conducted at an appropriate time subsequent to implementation of
changes or improvements, as decided by the Committee.
ix)
Review activities, organizational structure, and qualifications of the
CFO and the staff in the financial reporting area and see to it that
matters related to succession planning within the Company are
raised for consideration at the full Board.
Review processes to ensure Ethical and Legal Compliance is achieved in
conjunction with the Companys General Counsel as follows:
i)
Managements monitoring of the Companys system to ensure that
the Companys financial statements, reports and other financial
information disseminated to governmental organizations and the
public satisfy legal requirements.
ii)
Legal and regulatory compliance matters, including corporate
securities trading policies, and matters that could have a significant
impact on the organizations financial statements.
iii)
Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Ontario Securities
Commission requirements and other legal requirements.
iv)
Ensure that the CEO and CFO provide written certification with
annual and interim financial statements and MD&A and the Annual
Information Form.
Amended by the Audit Committee on July 26, 2016, approved by the Board of Directors on July 27, 2016
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v)
J.
Conduct an annual review of the Companys compliance program.
Oversight of Risk Management (Enterprise Risk Management)
In overseeing the Companys risk management function, the Committee
shall review, monitor, report and, where appropriate, provide
recommendations to the Board on the following:
K.
i)
Managements program of risk assessment and steps taken to
address significant risks or exposures, including insurance coverage;
ii)
The Companys [privacy] and cyber security risk exposures and
measures taken to protect the security and integrity of its
management information systems and company data;
iii)
Make inquires of management and the internal auditors and the
Auditors to identify significant business, political, financial and
control risks and exposures and assess the steps management has
taken to minimize such risk to the Company;
iv)
Ensure that the disclosure of the process followed by the Board and
its committees, in the oversight of the Companys management of
principal business risks, is complete and fairly presented; and
v)
The Corporations business continuity plans, including work stoppage
and disaster recovery plans.
General
i)
Conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within the
Committees scope of responsibilities. The Committee shall be
empowered to retain independent counsel, accountants and other
professionals to assist it in the conduct of any investigation.
ii)
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.
iii)
Ensure disclosure in the Annual Information Form if, at any time
since the commencement of most recently completed financial year,
the issuer has relied on any possible exemptions for Audit
Committees.
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IV.
V.
iv)
Perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the
Companys Articles and By-laws and governing law, as the
Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.
v)
Conduct a Committee annual self-evaluation and report to the Board
of Directors.
ACCOUNTABILITY
A.
The Committee Chair has the responsibility to make periodic reports to the
Board, as requested, on audit and financial matters relative to the Company.
B.
The Committee shall report its discussions to the Board by maintaining
minutes of its meetings and providing an oral report at the next Board
meeting.
C.
The minutes of the Audit Committee should be filed with the Corporate
Secretary.
COMMITTEE TIMETABLE
The timetable on the following pages outlines the Committees schedule of
activities during the year.
Amended by the Audit Committee on July 26, 2016, approved by the Board of Directors on July 27, 2016
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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Appendix One: Definitions Related to Audit Committee Composition
Affiliated Person under SEC Rules
An affiliated person, in accordance with the rules of the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, means a person who
directly or indirectly controls the Company, or a director, executive officer, partner,
member, principal or designee of an entity that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company.
Financial Literacy Under Multilateral Instrument 52-110
Financially literate, in accordance with MI 52-110, means that the director has the ability
to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of
complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and
complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Companys
financial statements.
Financial Expert Under SEC Regulation S-K
A person will qualify as financial expert if he or she possesses the following attributes:
a)
an understanding of financial statements and generally accepted accounting
principles;
b)
the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the
accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves;
c)
experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that
present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally
comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be
expected to be raised by the Companys financial statements, or experience actively
supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;
d)
an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and
e)
an understanding of audit committee functions.
A person shall have acquired such attributes through:
a) education and experience as a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer,
controller, public accountant or auditor or experience in one or more positions that
involve the performance of similar functions;
Amended by the Audit Committee on July 26, 2016, approved by the Board of Directors on July 27, 2016
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b) experience actively supervising a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer,
controller, public accountant, auditor or person performing similar functions;
c) experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants
with respect to the preparation, auditing or evaluation of financial statements; or
d) other relevant experience.
Amended by the Audit Committee on July 26, 2016, approved by the Board of Directors on July 27, 2016
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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Appendix Two: Disclosure Items Under Audit Committee Responsibility under
CSA NI 52-110 and NYSE Rule 303A
Item
CSA*
NYSE/SEC
Ensure that the CEOs Terms of Reference include
responsibility to ensure that annual and interim written
affirmations are submitted as required.
Disclose the text of the Audit Committees charter.
Disclose names of committee members and state whether or
not each is (i) independent and (ii) financially literate.
Describe each members education and experience relevant
to responsibilities.
Disclosure whether, at any time since the commencement of
most recently completed financial year, the Company has
relied on any possible exemptions for Audit Committees.
If, at any time since the commencement of the issuers most
recently completed financial year, a recommendation of the
audit committee to nominate or compensate an external
auditor was not adopted by the board of directors, state that
fact and why.
Disclose by category how much the auditor is paid for audit,
audit-related, tax and other services.
Disclose any specific policies or procedures adopted by the
Audit Committee for pre-approval of non-audit services by
the external auditor.
Prepare and disclose any Audit Committee reports required
by applicable regulators.
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