Sony 2015 Annual Report Download - page 125

accounting officer and persons performing similar functions, as well as to directors and all other officers and
employees of Sony, as defined in the code of ethics. The code of ethics is available at http://www.sony.net/code.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The following table presents fees for audit and other services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016.
Fiscal year ended
March 31
2015 2016
Yen in millions
Audit Fees (1) ........................................................... 3,919 3,561
Audit-Related Fees (2) .................................................... 126 76
Tax Fees (3) ............................................................. 7 6
All Other Fees (4) ........................................................ 79 30
4,131 3,673
(1) Audit Fees consist of fees for the annual audit services engagement and other audit services, which are those
services that only the external auditor can provide.
(2) Audit-Related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services, and audit services relating to
benefit plans, business acquisitions and dispositions.
(3) Tax Fees primarily consist of fees for tax advice.
(4) All Other Fees consist of fees primarily for services rendered with respect to advisory services.
Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Consistent with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules regarding auditor independence, Sony
Corporation’s Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, reviewing and setting compensation, retaining, and
overseeing the work of Sony’s independent auditor, so that the auditor’s independence will not be impaired. The
Audit Committee established a formal policy requiring pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit
services provided by the independent auditor to Sony Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. The Audit
Committee periodically reviews this policy with due regard for compliance with laws and regulations of host
countries where Sony Corporation is listed.
Prior to the engagement of the independent auditor for the following fiscal year’s audit, management
submits an application form to the Audit Committee for comprehensive pre-approval of all recurring services
expected to be rendered during that year. In order to obtain comprehensive pre-approval, management provides
sufficient information regarding each service so that each service can be classified into one of four categories
(Audit, Audit-Related, Tax, or All Other) as well as information regarding the fees expected to be budgeted for
each service. Management describes each service in detail and indicates precisely and unambiguously the nature
and scope of each particular service. Any additional services not contemplated in the application form require the
Audit Committee’s separate pre-approval on an individual basis. The Audit Committee approves, if necessary,
any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in the scope of services to be provided or from
other circumstances. The Audit Committee Chair retains pre-approval authority and evaluates items for approval
upon request. The Audit Committee or its designee establishes procedures to assure that the independent auditor
is aware in a timely manner of the services that have been pre-approved.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not Applicable
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