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Audit Committee Charter

Free audit committee charter template — defines the purpose, composition, and responsibilities of a board's audit committee.

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This free audit committee charter covers Purpose, Composition, Responsibilities, Meetings, Authority with 5 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for individuals and small businesses handling a straightforward legal document themselves needing a clear, professional document without commissioning custom legal drafting for a routine situation. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.

Template — click to edit

Audit Committee Charter — [Company Name]

Purpose

The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in overseeing the integrity of the Company's financial statements, internal controls, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Composition

The Committee consists of at least [Number] members of the Board, [each of whom must be independent, per [applicable listing/governance standard]].

Responsibilities

Oversee the financial reporting process and review financial statements before release
Oversee the internal audit function, if any
Recommend the appointment (and, if needed, removal) of the external auditor
Review the scope and results of the external audit
Oversee compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
Review related-party transactions

Meetings

The Committee meets at least [Frequency], and may meet in executive session with the external auditor without management present.

Authority

The Committee has authority to engage independent advisors as needed, at the Company's expense.

Reporting

The Committee reports to the full Board after each meeting.

Adopted by the Board on [Date].

*This document is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Publicly traded companies have specific audit committee independence and composition requirements under securities exchange listing rules and Sarbanes-Oxley — this general template doesn't substitute for those specific compliance requirements if they apply to you.*

Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.

What's included

Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
6 standard sections: Purpose, Composition, Responsibilities, Meetings, Authority, Reporting
5 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
Free to use — no account or signup required
Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)

Who this template is for

Freelancers & solo founders

Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.

Small businesses

Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.

Anyone reviewing before signing

Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.

Before involving a lawyer

A solid starting draft to review with counsel, or to use directly for a low-stakes situation.

FAQ

Is this audit committee charter template really free?

Yes, completely free — view, edit, and download this audit committee charter as a PDF without creating an account.

What does this audit committee charter cover?

This legal template includes Purpose, Composition, Responsibilities, Meetings. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.

Is this legal advice?

No. Legal documents are exactly where a generic template is most likely to miss something that matters — the right structure, required disclosures, and even which clauses are enforceable all vary by state and situation. Use this as a starting point for a conversation with a licensed attorney, not a substitute for one.

Can I edit the wording?

Yes — edit directly on the page, adjust any section or clause, and re-fill the 5 placeholder fields to match your situation before downloading a PDF. It's a starting structure, not a rigid script.

Where can I find more free templates like this?

Browse more free legal and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.

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