Board Committees

Finance, Audit and Administration Committee Charter

PURPOSE
To assist the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities for accounting and financial reporting processes, the system of internal controls, the audit processes and systems for monitoring compliance with laws, regulations and the CapMetro Code of Conduct.  

Executive management is responsible for preparing complete and accurate financial statements; managing business and financial risk; and for monitoring internal controls and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies and procedures. The board of directors has oversight responsibility in these areas and is charged with establishing and supporting an adequate control environment within the organization for ensuring accountability and demonstrating proper stewardship over public funds.  

AUTHORITY
The Finance, Audit and Administration Committee has authority to conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within its scope of responsibility. It is empowered to:  

  • Ensure the independence of any registered public accounting firm employed by CapMetro. 
  • Resolve any disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting. 
  • Provide oversight and direction of the internal audit function. 
  • Use independent counsel, accountants, auditors or others to advise the committee or to assist in the conduct of an investigation. 
  • Seek any information it requires from employees - all of whom are directed to cooperate with the committee's requests - or external parties. 

MEMBERSHIP
The Finance, Audit and Administration Committee shall consist of at least 3 members of the board of directors. The board will appoint committee members and the committee chairperson. Each member of the committee must be financially literate, as the board interprets such qualification in its business judgment, or must become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment. In addition, 1 member of the committee must be a metropolitan planning organization appointee with at least 10 years of experience as a financial or accounting professional. 

Committee members shall be free of any relationship that would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment.  

EDUCATION
CapMetro executive management is responsible for providing the committee with educational resources related to accounting principles and procedures, risk management, ethics and other information that may be requested by the committee. CapMetro executive management shall assist the committee in maintaining appropriate financial and compliance literacy.  

MEETINGS
The committee will meet at least 4 times a year, with authority to convene additional meetings, as circumstances require. All meetings will be conducted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Committee members are expected to attend each meeting. The committee may direct members of management, auditors or others to attend meetings and provide pertinent information, as necessary.  

RESPONSIBILITIES
The committee will carry out the following responsibilities:  

Financial and other reporting: The Finance, Audit and Administration Committee shall provide reasonable assurance to the board that financial information reported by management substantively portrays CapMetro's financial condition, results of operations, plans and long-term commitments. Members of the committee may review other reports requiring board approval prior to submission to public sector entities. The Committee will:  

  • Review fiscal, investment and other financial management policies and practices including but not limited to:  
    • Operating and capital budgeting 
    • Procurement and contracting 
    • Revenue (e.g., grants, fare structure and new revenue opportunities, including partnerships with external entities) 
    • Debt and investments 
    • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program 
    • Insurance and risk management 
  • Review financial statements, including interim financial statements, auditor's opinions and management letters and consider whether they are complete, consistent with information known to committee members and reflect appropriate accounting principles. 

Internal Control: The Finance, Audit and Administration Committee shall understand CapMetro's key financial reporting risk areas and the internal control structure. The committee will:  

  • Consider the effectiveness of CapMetro's internal control systems, including information technology security and control. 
  • Understand the scope of internal and external auditors' review of internal controls over financial reporting, and obtain reports on significant findings and recommendations, together with management's responses. 
  • Review the reports and results of internal and external audits. 

Internal Audit: The Finance, Audit and Administration Committee shall provide direct oversight of CapMetro's internal audit function. To facilitate its effectiveness and independence, the internal audit function is ultimately accountable to the board of directors and the Finance, Audit and Administration Committee. The committee will:  

  • Make recommendations to the full board of directors regarding the appointment and removal of the chief audit executive. 
  • Review with management and the chief audit executive the charter, audit plans, activities, staffing and organizational structure of the internal audit function. 
  • Ensure there are no unjustified restrictions or limitations on the internal audit function review audit results, reports and recommendations and ensure adequate management follow-up and resolution. 
  • Meet with the chief audit executive to discuss any matters that the committee or internal audit believes should be discussed. 
  • Request internal auditors to perform special studies, investigations, or other services in matters of interest or concern to the committee or board that may be outside the scope of the approved Audit Services Plan. Such projects could include investigation of areas of high control risk, potential or suspected fraud or other irregularities, compliance with laws, regulations, policies and procedures, or evaluation of external auditors. 
  • Conduct an annual performance review and evaluation of the chief audit executive. 
  • Review the effectiveness of the internal audit function through periodic external quality assurance reviews. 

External Audit: The Finance, Audit and Administration Committee shall assure independence in fact and in appearance of all external financial assurance services. External auditors are ultimately accountable to the board of directors and Finance, Audit and Administration Committee. The committee will:  

  • Consider the facts and circumstances of each case in order to determine if firm or audit partner rotation is needed in order to ensure an independent financial audit. 
  • Approve in advance any non-audit services by external auditors or their consulting practice/affiliates. 
  • External auditors shall not (1) provide non-audit services that involve performing management functions or making management decisions, and (2) audit their own work or provide non-audit services that are significant or material to the subject matter of the audits. 
  • Meet with the external auditors to discuss any matters that the committee or auditors believe should be discussed in detail. 
  • Review with management and the external auditors the results of the audit, including any serious difficulties or disputes with management encountered during assurance work. 

Compliance: The Finance, Audit and Administration Committee shall provide reasonable assurance to the board of directors that its policies are being carried out and that systems are in place to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. The committee will:  

  • Review the effectiveness of the system for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations and the results of management's investigation and follow-up (including disciplinary action) of any instances of noncompliance. 
  • Review the findings of any examinations by regulatory agencies, and any auditor observations. 
  • Review the process for communicating the Code of Conduct to company personnel and for monitoring compliance therewith. 
  • Obtain regular updates from the board ethics officer and the staff ethics officer regarding ethics and compliance matters. 

Reporting Responsibilities: The Finance, Audit and Administration Committee will:  

  • Report and recommend action, as appropriate to the board of directors about committee activities, issues and related recommendations. 
  • Provide an open avenue of communication between internal audit, the external auditors and the board of directors. 
  • Review any other reports CapMetro issues that relate to committee responsibilities. 

Other Responsibilities: The Finance, Audit and Administration Committee will:  

  • Perform other activities related to this charter as requested by the CapMetro board of directors. 
  • Review and assess the adequacy of the committee charter annually, requesting board approval for proposed changes, and ensure appropriate disclosure as may be required by law or regulation. 
  • Confirm annually that all responsibilities outlined in this charter have been carried out. 

Operations, Planning and Safety Committee Charter

Approved by board of directors (Aug. 23, 2010) 

The role of the Operations, Planning and Safety Committee shall be to review and make recommendations to the full board of directors on policies and practices related to the efficient, safe, and reliable operation of the CapMetro system and effective short and long-range planning for a sustainable CapMetro. 

The committee shall be responsible for:  

  • Overseeing short-range service planning and modification.
  • Developing and making recommendations to the board of directors on long-range system planning and coordinating with external partners on regional planning initiatives.
  • Reviewing and making recommendations to the board of directors on route standards and service standards.
  • Monitoring performance indicators for service and operations, including but not limited to ridership, customer service and satisfaction, passenger and employee safety and security standards, and facility and vehicle maintenance.
  • Making recommendations to the board of directors on vehicle purchase and fleet management plans and other capital purchases related to operations.
  • Overseeing facility and capital project design and construction programs.
  • Reviewing and making recommendations to the board of directors on land use related to the agency and property acquisition and disposal.
  • Ensuring compliance with Title VI requirements.
  • Overseeing the implementation of system start-ups.

The Operations, Planning and Safety Committee shall take up and consider any other items as directed by the chair of the board of directors. 

All committees are advisory to the board of directors which has the legal responsibility to make decisions and policies for CapMetro.