Symantec 2010 Annual Report Download - page 32

PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed KPMG as Symantec’s principal independent registered public accounting
firm to perform the audit of Symantec’s consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2011. As a matter of good
corporate governance, the Audit Committee has decided to submit its selection of independent audit firm to
stockholders for ratification. In the event that this appointment of KPMG is not ratified by a majority of the shares of
common stock present or represented at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, the Audit Committee
will review its future selection of KPMG as Symantec’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee first approved KPMG as our independent auditors in September 2002, and KPMG
audited Symantec’s financial statements for Symantec’s 2010 fiscal year. Representatives of KPMG are expected to
be present at the meeting, in which case they will be given an opportunity to make a statement at the meeting if they
desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
We regularly review the services and fees from its independent registered public accounting firm. These
services and fees are also reviewed with the Audit Committee annually. In accordance with standard policy, KPMG
periodically rotates the individuals who are responsible for Symantec’s audit. Symantec’s Audit Committee has
determined that the providing of certain non-audit services, as described below, is compatible with maintaining the
independence of KPMG.
In addition to performing the audit of Symantec’s consolidated financial statements, KPMG provided various
other services during fiscal years 2010 and 2009. Symantec’s Audit Committee has determined that KPMG’s
provisioning of these services, which are described below, does not impair KPMG’s independence from Symantec.
The aggregate fees billed for fiscal years 2010 and 2009 for each of the following categories of services are as
follows:
Fees Billed to Symantec 2010 2009
Audit fees(1) ........................................... $ 9,926,644 $11,007,817
Audit related fees(2)...................................... — —
Tax fees(3)............................................. 98,613 229,133
All other fees(4)......................................... 444,010 2,331
Total fees.............................................. $10,469,267 $11,239,281
The categories in the above table have the definitions assigned under Item 9 of Schedule 14A promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and these categories include in particular the following components:
(1) “Audit fees” include fees for audit services principally related to the year-end examination and the
quarterly reviews of Symantec’s consolidated financial statements, consultation on matters that arise during a
review or audit, review of SEC filings, audit services performed in connection with Symantec’s acquisitions
and statutory audit fees.
(2) “Audit related fees” include fees which are for assurance and related services other than those
included in Audit fees.
(3) “Tax fees” include fees for tax compliance and advice.
(4) “All other fees” include fees for all other non-audit services, principally for services in relation to
certain information technology audits.
An accounting firm other than KPMG performs supplemental internal audit services for Symantec. Another
accounting firm provides the majority of Symantec’s outside tax services.
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