Corporate governance

8. Auditors

Duration of the mandate and term of office of the lead auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Zurich, have been the auditors of the Geberit Group and Geberit AG since 1997. Lead auditor René Rausenberger has been in charge of the auditing mandate since 2008.

Auditing fees

In 2011, PricewaterhouseCoopers invoiced the Geberit Group TCHF 1,056 for services in connection with the audit of the financial statements of Group companies as well as the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Geberit Group.

Additional fees

For additional services PricewaterhouseCoopers invoiced TCHF 429 relating to tax consultancy and support as well as TCHF 138 for other services.

Supervisory and control instruments pertaining to the auditors

Prior to every meeting, the external auditor informs the Audit Committee in writing about relevant auditing activities and other important facts and figures related to the company. Representatives of the external and internal auditors attend the meeting of the Audit Committee for specific agenda items, and to comment on their activities and answer questions.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors makes an annual assessment of the performance, remuneration and independence of the auditors and submits a proposal to the General Meeting for the appointment of the Group auditors. Every year, the Audit Committee determines the scope and planning of the internal audit, coordinates them with those of the external audit and discusses audit results with the external and internal auditors. For more details on the Audit Committee, see  item 3, “Group Executive Board, Audit Committee”.