Title: An analysis of Canadian Audit Committee charters

Authors: Chris Bart

Addresses: DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M4, Canada

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a content analysis of Audit Committee (AC) charters for the 60 largest publicly traded companies on the Toronto Stock Exchange as measured by market capitalisation (S&P/TSX 60) as at February 28, 2008. The research found that not all AC activities (as defined by regulation and |best practice|) were included in the committees| charters. As a result, it appears that not all AC charter components are considered equal. The findings also vary by industry classification. The paper speculates on the possible reasons for these results and proposes additional avenues for research.

Keywords: audit committees; corporate governance; boards of directors; audit committee charters; audit committee mandates; firm performance; Canada; Toronto Stock Exchange; market capitalisation; business governance; business ethics; economic crime prevention.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBGE.2010.029559

International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, 2010 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.98 - 111

Published online: 30 Nov 2009 *

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