In accordance with its terms of reference, the Audit Committee (“the AC”) of Eco World Development Group Berhad (“the Company”) is responsible for the assessment of the suitability, objectivity, independence and overall performance of the External Auditors to safeguard the quality and reliability of audited financial statements. The External Auditors Assessment Policy (“this Policy”) sets out the guidelines and procedures to be undertaken by the AC in discharging this responsibility.
Pursuant to Section 271 of the Companies Act 2016, the Company shall at each annual general meeting appoint or re-appoint External Auditors, and the External Auditors so appointed or re-appointed shall hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting.
Should there be a need to fill a casual vacancy or should the AC determine a need to change External Auditors, the AC shall follow the following procedures for the selection and appointment of the new firm of External Auditors:-
Procedures
The AC shall undertake the following procedures for the selection and appointment of the new External Auditors:-
Upon the endorsement of the Board, a resolution for the appointment of the new External Auditors and/or removal of the existing External Auditors shall be tabled for the approval of shareholders in general meeting.
Selection guidelines
When assessing the suitability of a potential firm of External Auditors for recommendation to the Board, the AC shall consider, inter-alia:-
The independence of the External Auditors is essential to the provision of an objective opinion on the financial statements.
Pursuant to Practice 9.3 of Principle B of the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance, the AC is mandated to ensure continuing suitability, objectivity and independence of the External Auditors.
The External Auditors are precluded from providing any services that may impair their independence or conflict with their role as External Auditors.
The AC shall obtain a written assurance from the External Auditors confirming that they are, and have been, independent throughout the conduct of the audit engagement in accordance with the terms of all relevant professional and regulatory requirements.
The External Auditors or its affiliates can be engaged to perform non-audit services that are not perceived to be in conflict with their role as External Auditors. Non-audit services do not include audit related work performed in compliance with statutory requirements.
Before appointing the External Auditors to undertake a non-audit service, considerations should be given to whether this would create a threat to the external auditors’ independence or objectivity. The External Auditors should not be appointed unless appropriate safeguards are present to eliminate or reduce the threat to an acceptable level.
The provision of non-audit services by the External Auditors shall be based on the following 3 basic principles:-
The External Auditors shall observe and comply with the By-Laws of the MIA in relation to the provision of non-audit services.
All engagements for non-audit services shall be approved by the AC prior to commencement considering the nature and extent of the non-audit services and the appropriateness of the level of fees. For each engagement, Management shall obtain written confirmation from the External Auditors that their independence as External Auditors would not be impaired by virtue of the non-audit engagement.
Management shall provide an update to the AC at its quarterly meetings of all non-audit services rendered by the External Auditors since the date of the last AC meeting (including the amount of fees charged).
The Group recognises that there exists a threat to the External Auditors’ independence if there was no limit to the number of consecutive years that key audit partners may serve in the same role in the annual audits of the Group’s financial statements.
The By-Laws of the MIA sets out the maximum number of years key audit partners can serve in the same role, as well as the number of “cooling-off” years.
The AC shall ensure that the firm of External Auditors meets or exceeds the requirements of the ByLaws of the MIA relating to the rotation of key audit partners.
No former partner of the external audit firm of the Company shall be appointed as a member of the AC before first observing a cooling-off period of at least 3 years. This applies to all former partners of the audit firm and/or the affiliate firm (including those providing advisory services, tax consulting etc).
The AC shall carry out an annual assessment and to undertake follow-up measures, where required, on the performance, independence and capabilities of the External Auditors as well as the effectiveness of the audit process and may request the Chief Financial Officer and Group Financial Controller to assist in the assessment, by taking into consideration the following:-
quality of audit services:-
The AC shall, from time to time and at any time as it deems necessary, review this Policy to ensure that it continues to remain relevant and appropriate.
This Policy was adopted by the Board on 19 September 2019 and was revised on 26 October 2022.