Exhibit 99.1
ZANITE ACQUISITION CORP.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Effective [ ], 2020
I. | PURPOSES |
The Audit Committee (the Committee) is appointed by the Board of Directors (the Board) of Zanite Acquisition Corp. (the Company) to assist the Board in its oversight of the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the Companys compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. To assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities, the Committee shall (A) oversee (i) audits of the financial statements of the Company, (ii) the integrity of the Companys financial statements, (iii) the Companys processes relating to risk management and the conduct and systems of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, (iv) the qualifications, engagement, compensation, independence and performance of the Companys independent auditor and the independent auditors conduct of the annual audit of the Companys financial statements and any other services provided to the Company, and (v) the performance of the Companys internal audit function, if any, and (B) produce the annual report of the Committee required by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
II. | COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP |
A. | Composition |
The Committee shall consist of at least three members of the Board, subject to applicable phase-in rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market (the Nasdaq). Except as otherwise directed by the Board, a director selected as a member of the Committee shall continue to be a member for as long as he or she remains a director or until his or her earlier resignation or removal from the Committee. Any member may be removed from the Committee by the Board, with or without cause, at any time. Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by majority vote of the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by majority vote of the Board.
B. | Chairperson |
The Chairperson of the Committee shall be appointed from among the Committee members by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board, shall preside at meetings of the Committee and shall have authority to convene meetings, set agendas for meetings, and determine the Committees information needs, except as otherwise provided by the Board or the Committee, provided that if the Board does not so designate a chairperson, the members of the Committee, by a majority vote, may designate a chairperson. In the absence of the Chairperson at a duly convened meeting, the Committee shall select a temporary substitute from among its members to serve as chairperson of the meeting.
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C. | Independence |
Each member of the Committee shall be an independent director in accordance with applicable listing standards of the Nasdaq and Rule 10A-3 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), as well as the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines, subject to any exceptions or cure periods that are applicable pursuant to the foregoing requirements and the phase-in periods permitted under the rules of the Nasdaq under which the Committee is required to have only one independent member at the time of listing, a majority of independent members within ninety (90) days of listing and all independent members within one (1) year of listing. Any action duly taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not the members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership provided herein.
D. | Financial Literacy |
Each member of the Committee shall, in the judgment of the Board, have the ability to read and understand fundamental financial statements and otherwise meet the financial literacy requirements of the Nasdaq. At least one member shall be an audit committee financial expert as such term is defined under applicable SEC rules.
E. | Service on Multiple Audit Committees |
No member of the Committee may serve on the audit committee of more than three (3) public companies, including the Company, unless the Board has determined that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the Committee.
III. | AUTHORITY |
In discharging its role, the Committee is empowered to inquire into any matter that it considers appropriate to carry out its responsibilities, with access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company, and, subject to the direction of the Board, the Committee is authorized and delegated the authority to act on behalf of the Board with respect to any matter it determines to be necessary or appropriate to the accomplishment of its purposes.
The Committee shall have the authority to retain, direct and oversee the activities, and to terminate the engagement, of the Companys independent auditor and any other accounting firm retained by the Committee to prepare or issue any other audit report or to perform any other audit, review or attest services and any legal counsel, accounting or other advisor or consultant hired to assist the Committee, all of whom shall be accountable to the Committee.
The Company shall provide the Committee with appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for the payment of (A) compensation to any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest
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services for the Company, (B) compensation to any independent counsel or other advisers retained by the Committee in carrying out its duties and (C) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.
IV. | COMMITTEE MEETINGS |
The Committee shall meet on a regularly scheduled basis at least four (4) times per year and additionally as circumstances dictate.
The Committee shall establish its own schedule of meetings. The Committee may also act by unanimous written consent of its members.
Notice of meetings shall be given to all members of the Committee or may be waived, in the same manner as required for meetings of the Board. Meetings of the Committee may be held by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear and speak with each other. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for a meeting and the affirmative vote of a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute the action of the Committee. The Committee shall otherwise establish its own rules of procedure.
The Committee shall meet in executive session separately with each of the independent auditor, the internal auditor, if any, and with senior management, at least quarterly. At the end of each of the Committees regularly scheduled meetings, and more frequently as deemed necessary, the Committee shall meet in private session with only the members of the Committee.
V. | DELEGATION |
The Committee, by resolution approved by a majority of the Committee, may form and delegate any of its responsibilities to a subcommittee so long as such subcommittee is solely comprised of one or more members of the Committee and such delegation is not otherwise inconsistent with law and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq.
VI. | KEY RESPONSIBILITIES |
The Committee relies on the expertise and knowledge of management, the internal auditors, if any, and the independent auditor in carrying out its oversight responsibilities. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Companys financial statements, the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting policies that are used by the Company and establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. The independent auditor is responsible for auditing the Companys financial statements and, if applicable, the Companys internal control over financial reporting and reviewing the Companys unaudited interim financial statements.
The responsibilities set forth in this charter do not reflect or create any duty or obligation of the Committee to plan or conduct any audit, to determine or certify that the Companys financial statements are complete, accurate, fairly presented or in accordance with generally accepted
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accounting principles (GAAP) or applicable law, to guarantee or otherwise certify as to the independent auditors reports, to conduct investigations or to assure compliance with laws and regulations or the Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, internal policies, procedures and controls. The following responsibilities are set forth as a guide for fulfilling the Committees purposes in such manner as the Committee determines is appropriate.
A. | Oversight of the Independent Auditor |
(i) | Independent Auditor Retention. The Committee is solely and directly responsible for the appointment, evaluation, compensation, retention and, if appropriate, replacement of the independent auditor. The Committee may, in its discretion, seek stockholder ratification of the public accounting firm selected to be the Companys independent auditor. |
(ii) | Independence. The Committee shall assess at least annually the independent auditors independence. In connection with this assessment, the Committee shall ensure the receipt of and review formal written statements from the independent auditor delineating all relationships between the auditor and the Company, consistent with applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) regarding the independent auditors communications with the Committee concerning independence. The Committee shall engage in an active dialogue with the independent auditor concerning any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditor and take, or recommend that the Board takes, appropriate action to oversee and ensure the independence of the auditor. |
(iii) | Quality and Performance. The Committee shall evaluate at least annually the qualifications and performance of the independent auditor, including the lead partner. The evaluation will include obtaining a written report from the independent auditor describing the firms internal quality control procedures, any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review, PCAOB inspection or other PCAOB review of the firm, by a peer review of the firm or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the past five (5) years, concerning an independent audit or audits carried out by the firm, and any steps taken to address any such issues. |
(iv) | General Oversight. The independent auditor reports directly to the Committee. The Committee is responsible for oversight of the work of the independent auditor, including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting. In connection with its oversight responsibility, the Committee shall consider the independent auditors communications regarding, among other things, critical accounting policies and practices, all alternative accounting treatments within GAAP related to items material to the financial statements that have been discussed with management, including the ramifications of the alternative treatments and |
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the treatment preferred by the independent auditor, and all material written communications between the independent auditor and management, and shall review the effect or potential effect of any regulatory regime, accounting initiatives or off-balance sheet structures on the Companys financial statements. |
(v) | Audit Oversight. The Committee shall establish with the independent auditor an understanding of the terms of the audit engagement, the role of the auditor with respect to the Companys financial statements and coordination of audit efforts to ensure completeness of coverage, reduction of redundant efforts, the effective use of audit resources and the use of accounting firms other than the appointed auditors of the Company. The Committee shall review the scope of the annual audit or interim review (including the level of involvement with unaudited quarterly or other interim-period information) and discuss the results, including, without limitation, the independent auditors report and all matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent auditor in accordance with applicable auditing standards. |
The Committee shall discuss with the independent auditor, before the issuance of the audit report, the overall audit strategy, including the timing of the audit, significant risks the auditor identified and significant changes to the planned audit strategy or identified risks. The Committee shall review with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties encountered during the course of the audit work and managements response, including any restrictions on the scope of the independent auditors activities or access to required records, data and information, any difficult or contentious matters for which the auditor consulted outside the engagement team (for example, the audit firms national office), any significant disagreements with management and any other matters arising from the audit that are significant to the oversight of the Companys financial reporting process.
(vi) | Auditor Rotation. The Committee shall consider whether, in addition to assuring the regular rotation of the lead audit partner as required by law, in the interest of assuring continuing independence of an independent auditor, the Company should regularly rotate the firm appointed as the Companys independent auditor. |
(vii) | Pre-Approval of Auditor Services. The Committee is exclusively authorized and directed to consider and, in its discretion, approve in advance any services (including the fees and material terms thereof) proposed to be carried out for the Company by the independent auditor or by any other firm proposed to be engaged by the Company as its independent auditor. In connection with approval of any permissible tax services and services related to internal control over financial reporting, the Committee shall discuss with the independent auditor the potential effects of such services on the independence of the auditor. |
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B. | Financial Statements and Other Financial Disclosures |
(i) | Quality and Integrity of Financial Statements. The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor (A) the critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company, and any significant changes in the selection or application of the Companys accounting and auditing principles and practices as suggested by the Companys independent auditor, internal auditors, if any, or management, (B) the accounting treatment to be applied in respect of significant new transactions or other significant events not in the ordinary course of the Companys business, (C) other policies and procedures adopted by the Company to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the presentation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including the proper explanation and reconciliation of any non-GAAP measures presented, and (D) any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Companys financial statements. |
(ii) | Audited Financial Statements. The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor, before the issuance of the audit report, the financial statements and related notes and the Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations proposed to be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K. In this connection, the Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the analyses prepared by management setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements (including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements), and such other matters for which discussion shall be required by applicable auditing and related PCAOB standards. The Committee shall make a recommendation to the Board as to whether such financial statements should be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
(iii) | Audit Committee Report. The Committee shall annually prepare an audit committee report for inclusion where necessary in the proxy statement relating to the annual meeting of stockholders and/or annual report of the Company. |
(iv) | Quarterly Financial Statements. The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the quarterly financial statements and related notes and the Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations proposed to be included in the Companys Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, together with the analyses prepared by management setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements and such other matters for which discussion shall be required by applicable auditing standards and related PCAOB standards. |
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(v) | Earnings Releases and Other Financial Information. The Committee shall discuss with management and the independent auditor and, prior to issuance, review and approve the Companys earnings releases, including the financial information, use of any pro forma or adjusted non-GAAP information and earnings guidance (if such is provided) to be disclosed in such releases. The Committee shall also discuss with management other significant financial information to be provided to analysts or rating agencies. |
(vi) | Payments. The Committee shall review on a quarterly basis all payments made to the Companys sponsor, officers or directors or to the Companys or their respective affiliates. |
C. | Controls and Procedures |
(i) | Oversight. The Committee shall provide oversight of managements design and maintenance of the Companys internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Prior to the filing of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Committee shall review with the independent auditor, management and the head of the internal audit function, if any, (A) the Companys annual assessment and report and the independent auditors report on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting, to the extent then applicable, (B) any material weakness or significant deficiency in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting, any steps taken to resolve any such control deficiencies and the adequacy of disclosures about changes in internal control over financial reporting and (C) any related significant findings and recommendations of the independent auditor or internal audit function, if any, together with managements responses (including, in the case of the independent auditor, any concerns regarding matters within the scope of, and compliance with, Section 10A of the Exchange Act). |
(ii) | Certifications. The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the certifications and any related disclosures made by the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer in the Companys periodic reports about the results of their evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures and any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting, and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal control over financial reporting, prior to the filing of the Companys Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. |
(iii) | Internal Audit Function. At least annually, the Committee shall review with the independent auditor the responsibilities, budget, staffing, effectiveness and performance of the internal audit function, if any, including the structure, qualification and activities of the internal audit function and the scope of |
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internal audit responsibilities in relation to the independent auditors duties. The Committee shall review and assess the annual internal audit plan, if any, the process used to develop the plan, and the status of activities, significant findings, recommendations and managements response. The Committee shall recommend for approval of the Board all matters related to responsibilities, budget and staffing of the internal audit function, if any. The Committee shall recommend for approval of the Board the appointment and, if appropriate, replacement of the senior internal audit executive. |
(iv) | Hiring Policies. The Committee shall establish clear policies regarding the hiring of employees and former employees of the Companys independent auditor. |
D. | Risk Management, Compliance and Ethics |
(i) | Risk Management. The Committee shall review and discuss with management, the head of the internal audit function, if any, and the independent auditor any significant risks or exposures and the Companys policies and processes with respect to risk assessment and risk management and shall assess the steps management has taken to monitor and control such risks, except with respect to those risks for which oversight has been assigned to other committees of the Board or retained by the Board. The Committee shall review the Companys annual disclosures concerning the role of the Board in the risk oversight of the Company. |
(ii) | Legal and Regulatory Compliance. The Committee shall review and assess with the Chairman, the Co-Chairman or the Co-Executive Chairman of the Board or outside counsel, as appropriate, legal and regulatory matters that may have a material impact on the Companys financial statements. The Committee shall also review and recommend for approval of the Board the Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and any other appropriate compliance policies, and will review requests for waivers under the Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sought with respect to any executive officer or director. The Committee shall review annually with the Chairman, the Co-Chairman or the Co-Executive Chairman of the Board or outside counsel, as appropriate, the scope, implementation and effectiveness of the ethics and compliance program, and any significant deviations by officers and employees from the Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or other compliance policies, and other matters pertaining to the integrity of management. |
(iii) | Procedures for Complaints. The Committee shall establish whistleblowing procedures for (A) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and (B) the confidential, anonymous submission by the Companys employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. The Committee shall review any such significant complaints or concerns. |
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(iv) | Review and Approval of Swap Transactions. The Committee shall at least annually review and approve the Companys decision to enter into swaps and other derivative transactions that are exempt from exchange-execution and clearance requirements under end-user exception regulations and review and discuss with management applicable Company policies governing the Companys use of swaps subject to the end-user exception. |
(v) | Related Person Transactions. The Committee shall review and, if appropriate, approve or ratify any related person transactions and other significant conflicts of interest, in each case, in accordance with the Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Related Party Transactions Policy. |
E. | Self-Evaluation and Reporting |
(i) | Self-Evaluation and Charter Review. The Committee shall conduct an annual self-evaluation of the performance of the Committee, including its effectiveness and compliance with this charter, and recommend to the Board such amendments of this charter as the Committee deems appropriate. |
(ii) | Reporting. The Committee shall report regularly to the Board on findings and recommendations of the Committee and any other matters the Committee deems appropriate or the Board requests, and maintain minutes or other records of meetings and activities of the Committee. |
The Committee shall undertake such other responsibilities or tasks as the Board may delegate or assign to the Committee from time to time.
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