HPE has a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for generally overseeing HPE’s financial reporting processes and the audit of HPE’s financial statements, including the integrity of HPE’s financial statements, HPE’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm, the performance of HPE’s internal audit function, and risk assessment and risk management. Among other things, the Audit Committee prepares the Audit Committee report for inclusion in the annual proxy statement; annually reviews its charter and performance; appoints, evaluates and determines the compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm; reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit, the audit fee and the financial statements; reviews HPE’s disclosure controls and procedures, internal controls, information security policies, internal audit function, and corporate policies with respect to financial information and earnings guidance; reviews regulatory and accounting initiatives and off-balance sheet structures; oversees HPE’s compliance programs with respect to legal and regulatory requirements; oversees investigations into complaints concerning financial matters; and reviews risks facing HPE and management’s approach to addressing these risks, including significant risks or exposures relating to litigation and other proceedings and regulatory matters that may have a significant impact on HPE’s financial statements, and discusses policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The Audit Committee works closely with management as well as the independent registered public accounting firm.
The Board determined that Audit Committee members Ms. Carter, Mr. D’Amelio, Ms. Hobby, and Ms. Mayer are independent within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") standards of independence for directors and audit committee members and has satisfied the NYSE financial literacy requirements. The Board also determined that each of Ms. Hobby, Mr. D’Amelio and Ms. Mayer is an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by SEC rules for Audit Committee members.
