The Board, and in particular the Audit and Compliance Committee, has the duty of ultimate oversight over the Company's financial reporting. While the primary responsibility for financial reporting abuses discussed in the Report lies with management, the participating members of the Committee believe those abuses could and should have been prevented or detected at an earlier time had the Board been more aggressive and vigilant
While a review of Enron's annual proxy statement as of March 27, 2001 reveals compliance with the final disclosures rules on audit committees, a closer examination of the factors indicative of financial reporting risk by Enron's audit committee would have minimized the potential for class-action suits by recognizing the warning signals that lead to fraudulent reporting.