The Board of Directors has the ultimate responsibility of the internal control for the financial reporting. Tethys Oil’s system of internal control, with regard to financial reporting, is designed to minimize risks involved in the financial reporting process and ensure a high level of reliability in the financial reporting. Furthermore, the system of internal control ensures compliance with applicable accounting requirements and other requirements that Tethys Oil must meet as a listed company. Tethys Oil’s main assets are owned in partnership. The focus of internal control is therefore to ensure reliability and accuracy of the operator’s financial information. The control is conducted by monthly and quarterly cost controls, quarterly budget reviews and interviews with operators to understand and explain deviations.
Internal control
Tethys Oil continually works on improving the financial reporting through evaluating the risk of errors in the financial reporting and related control activities. Control activities include following up on instructions and the application of accounting principles. The Board of Directors is responsible for and monitors the control activities, which involve all levels of the organisation. The activities limit the identified risks and ensure correct and reliable financial reporting. The Company’s central financial department analyses and follows up on budget deviations, draws up forecasts, follows up on significant variations between periods and reports to the Board of Directors, which minimises the risks for errors in the financial reporting. The control activities also include following up on the authorisation manual and accounting principles. These control activities also include the operators in partnerships. The Board of Directors further decides on specific control activities and auditing of operators in partnerships. The financial department regularly follows up on deviations and irregularities and reports to the audit committee. This structure is considered sufficient and suitable given the size and nature of the Company’s business. At the current size of the Company and the fact that the Company holds non-operated interests or early stage operated exploration interests, it is not considered necessary for a dedicated internal auditor function.
Information and communication
The Board has adopted an information policy for the purpose of ensuring that the external information is correct and complete. There are also instructions regarding information security and how to communicate financial information.
Monitoring
Both the Board and the management follow up on the compliance and effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls to ensure the quality of internal processes. The Board receives detailed monthly reports on the financial situation and development of the business to this end. The Audit Committee ensures and monitors that control activities are in place for important areas of risk related to financial reporting.