Corporate Governance
Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
Purpose
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides general guidelines for conducting the business of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (the “Company”) consistent with high standards of business ethics. To the extent this Code requires a higher standard than required by commercial practice or applicable laws, rules or regulations, we adhere to these higher standards.
This Code applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including employees of any of the Company’s subsidiaries. We refer to all persons covered by this Code as “Company employees” or simply “employees.” We also refer to our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, our Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Financial Reporting and our Controllers as our “principal financial officers.”
seeking help and information
This Code is not intended to be a comprehensive rulebook and cannot address every situation that you may face. If you feel uncomfortable about a situation or have any doubts about whether it is consistent with the Company’s ethical standards, seek help. We encourage you to contact your supervisor for help first. If your supervisor cannot answer your question or if you do not feel comfortable contacting your supervisor, contact the General Counsel.
reporting violations of the code
All employees have a duty to report any known or suspected violation of this Code, including any violation of the laws, rules, regulations or policies that apply to the Company. If you know of or suspect a violation of this Code, immediately report the conduct to your supervisor. Your supervisor will contact the General Counsel, who will work with you and your supervisor to investigate your concern. If you do not feel comfortable reporting the conduct to your supervisor or you do not get a satisfactory response, you may contact the General Counsel directly.
All reports of known or suspected violations of the law or this Code will be handled sensitively and with discretion. Your supervisor, the General Counsel and the Company will protect your confidentiality to the extent possible, consistent with law and the Company’s need to investigate your concern. The Company prohibits retaliation against an employee who, in good faith, seeks help or reports known or suspected violations.
It is Company policy that any employee who violates this Code will be subject to appropriate discipline, which may include termination of employment. This determination will be based upon the facts and circumstances of each particular situation. An employee accused of violating this Code will be given an opportunity to present his or her version of the events at issue prior to any determination of appropriate discipline. Employees who violate the law or this Code may expose themselves to substantial civil damages, criminal fines and prison terms. The Company may also face substantial fines and penalties and may incur damage to its reputation and standing in the community. Your conduct as a representative of the Company, if it does not comply with the law or with this Code, can result in serious consequences for both you and the Company.
Waivers of the Code
Waivers of this Code will be granted only in extraordinary circumstances. Waivers of this Code for employees may be made only by an executive officer of the Company. Any waiver of this Code for our directors, executive officers or other principal financial officers may be made only by our Board of Directors and will be disclosed to the public as required by law or the rules of the Nasdaq National Market.
identifying potential conflicts of interest
A conflict of interest can occur when an employee’s private interest interferes, or appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company as a whole. You should avoid any private interest that influences your ability to act in the interests of the Company or that makes it difficult to perform your work objectively and effectively.
Identifying potential conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut. The following situations are examples of conflicts of interest:
• Financial Interests
No Employee should have a significant financial interest in a competitor or a material customer or supplier of the Company. A “significant financial interest” means (i) ownership of greater than 1% of the equity of a competitor or in a material customer or supplier of the Company or (ii) an investment in a competitor or a material customer or supplier of the Company that represents more than 5% of the total assets of the employee.
• Loans or Other Financial Transactions
No employee should obtain loans or guarantees of personal obligations from, or enter into any other personal financial transaction with, any company that is a material customer or supplier of the Company or a competitor of the Company. This guideline does not prohibit arms-length transactions with banks, brokerage firms or other financial institutions.
• Other Involvement in Outside Businesses
A conflict of interest exists if an Employee engages as a director, officer, employee, promoter or consultant in or receives compensation from an outside business which (a) is a competitor or (b) a material customer or supplier of the Company. No employee should serve on a board of directors or trustees or on a committee of any entity (whether profit or not-for-profit) whose interests reasonably would be expected to conflict with those of the Company.
• Improper Personal Benefits
No employee should obtain any material (as to him or her) personal benefits or favors because of his or her position with the Company. No employee or immediate family member may accept, from any person having material business dealings with the Company, entertainment that goes beyond common courtesies usually associated with accepted business practice.
Actions of Family Members. The actions of family members outside the workplace may also give rise to the conflicts of interest described above because they may influence an employee’s objectivity in making decisions on behalf of the Company. For purposes of this Code, “family members” include your spouse or life-partner, brothers, sisters and parents, in-laws and children whether such relationships are by blood or adoption.
For purposes of this Code, a company is a “material” customer if the company has made payments to the Company in the past year in excess of 5% of the Company’s gross revenues. A company is a “material” supplier if the company has received payments from the Company in the past year in excess of $200,000 or 5% of the supplier’s gross revenues, whichever is greater. If you are uncertain whether a particular company is a material customer or supplier, please contact the General Counsel for assistance.
disclosure of conflicts of interest
The Company requires that employees disclose any situations that reasonably would be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. If you suspect that you have a conflict of interest, or something that others could reasonably perceive as a conflict of interest, you must report it to your supervisor or the General Counsel. Your supervisor and the General Counsel will work with you to determine whether you have a conflict of interest and, if so, how best to address it. Although conflicts of interest are not automatically prohibited and may be approved in accordance with guidelines established by the Audit Committee of the Company Board of Directors, they are not desirable and may only be waived as described in “Waivers of the Code” above. Compliance with such Audit Committee guidelines shall not be deemed an explicit or implicit waiver of this Code.
company records
Accurate and reliable records are crucial to our business. Our records are the basis of our earnings statements, financial reports and other disclosures to the public and guide our business decision-making and strategic planning. Company records include booking information, payroll, timecards, travel and expense reports, e-mails, accounting and financial data, measurement and performance records, electronic data files and all other records maintained in the ordinary course of our business.
All Company records must be complete, accurate and reliable in all material respects. Undisclosed or unrecorded funds, payments or receipts are inconsistent with our business practices and are prohibited. You are responsible for understanding and complying with our record keeping policy. Ask your supervisor if you have any questions.
Note: The Company has a formal document retention policy that each employee must follow with respect to Company records within such employee’s control. Please contact your supervisor or the General Counsel to obtain a copy of this policy.
accuracy of financial reports and other public communications
As a public company we are subject to various securities laws, regulations and reporting obligations. Both federal law and our policies require the disclosure of accurate and complete information regarding the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Inaccurate, incomplete or untimely reporting will not be tolerated and can severely damage the Company and result in legal liability.
Each director, officer, principal financial officer and employee involved in the Company’s disclosure process have a special responsibility to ensure that all of our financial disclosures are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. These Employees must understand and strictly comply with generally accepted accounting principles and all standards, laws and regulations for accounting and financial reporting of transactions, estimates and forecasts. Employees must properly record and report all financial transactions in accordance with the Company’s accounting policies to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It is a violation of Company policy to misrepresent the Company’s financial performance. It is a violation of Company policy to unduly or fraudulently influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead any auditors regarding financial statements or accounting books and records. All disclosures of information must be accurate, complete, objective, fair, relevant, timely and understandable, including filings with and other submissions to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
business information
Employees may not use for their personal benefit any information about the Company or information acquired as a result of an Employee’s relationship with the Company. In addition, Employees may not buy or sell Company securities directly or indirectly on the basis of material, inside information or communicate such information to others for that purpose. In order
to avoid the appearance of impropriety, Employees also must not trade securities of any other company on the basis of material undisclosed information obtained in the course of their Company employment or communicate such information to others for that purpose.
Note: The Company has a formal Insider Trading policy that each employee must follow. Please contact your supervisor or the General Counsel to obtain a copy of this policy.
compliance with laws and regulations
Each Employee has an obligation to comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company operations. These include, without limitation all applicable state and federal securities laws and laws/regulations:
- that provide a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable federal, state and local laws;
- that cover occupational health and safety, bribery and kickbacks, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, information privacy, illegal political contributions, antitrust prohibitions, foreign corrupt practices, offering or receiving gratuities, environmental hazards, false or misleading financial information or misuse of corporate assets;
- that prohibit the receipt of payola or plugola compensation without proper disclosure.You are expected to understand and comply with all laws, rules and regulations that apply to your job position. If any doubt exists about whether a course of action is lawful, you should seek advice from your supervisor or the General Counsel.
Conclusion
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics contains general guidelines for conducting the business of the Company consistent with high standards of business ethics. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact your supervisor or the General Counsel. We expect all Company employees to adhere to these standards.
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as applied to the Company’s principal financial officers, shall be our “code of ethics” within the meaning of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
This Code and the matters contained herein are neither a contract of employment nor a guarantee of continuing Company policy. We reserve the right to amend, supplement or discontinue this Code and the matters addressed herein, without prior notice, at any time.
Audit Committee Charter
Purpose
The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is a committee of the Board of Directors of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (the “Company”). The Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to: (1) oversee the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; (2) oversee the Company’s compliance with the legal and regulatory requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); (3) oversee the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence; and (4) oversee the performance of the Company’s independent auditor.
composition
The Committee shall be comprised of three or more directors as determined by the Board of Directors. Each member shall satisfy the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the “Exchange Act. All members of the Committee shall be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements (including the Company’s income statements, balance sheet and cash flow statement) and at least one member of the Committee shall qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” under the requirements of the Exchange Act and Nasdaq requirements.
The members of the Committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors and remain a member of the Committee until resignation or until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. Unless a Chair is elected by the full Board of Directors, the members of the Committee may designate a Chair by majority vote of the full Committee membership.
meetings
The Committee shall meet at least one time each fiscal quarter, or more frequently as circumstances dictate. The Committee shall have the authority to establish its own rules and procedures consistent with the bylaws of the Company for notice and conduct of its meetings.
The Committee may retain any independent counsel, experts or other advisors (accounting, financial or otherwise) that the Committee believes to be necessary or appropriate. The Committee may also utilize the services of the Company’s regular legal counsel or other advisors to the Company. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of compensation to the outside auditor for the purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report and to any advisors employed by the Committee.
The Company shall pay: (1) compensation to the outside auditor engaged by the Company for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services to the Company, (2) compensation to any outside advisors employed by the Committee and (3) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.
responsibilities and duties
Outside Auditor
- The Committee shall be directly responsible and have sole authority for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the outside auditor (including resolution of any disagreements between Company management and the outside auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, and the outside auditor shall report directly to the Committee.
- The Committee shall annually receive from the outside auditor: (1) a written statement delineating all relationships between the outside auditor and the Company; and (2) a letter regarding the outside auditor’s independence, as required by Independence Standards Board Standard 1. The Committee shall discuss with the outside auditor any disclosed relationships or services that, in the view of the Committee, may impact the objectivity and independence of the outside auditor. If the Committee determines that further inquiry is advisable, the Committee shall recommend that the Board take any appropriate action in response to the outside auditor’s independence.
- Before the outside auditor is engaged by the Company or its subsidiaries to render audit or non- audit services, the Committee shall pre-approve the engagement. Committee pre-approval of audit and non-audit services will not be required if the engagement for the services is entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Committee regarding the Company’s engagement of the outside auditor, provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the Committee is informed of each service provided and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the Committee’s responsibilities under the Exchange Act to the Company’s management. The Committee may delegate to one or more designated members of the Committee the authority to grant pre-approvals, provided such approvals are presented to the Committee at a subsequent meeting. If the Committee elects to establish pre- approval policies and procedures regarding non-audit services, the Committee must be informed of each non-audit service provided by the outside auditor. Committee pre-approval of non-audit services (other than review and attest services) also will not be required if such services fall within available exceptions established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
- The Committee shall confirm with the outside auditor that the outside auditor is in compliance with the partner rotation requirements established by the SEC.
- The Committee shall, if applicable, consider whether the outside auditor’s provision of any permitted information technology services or other non-audit services to the Company is compatible with maintaining the independence of the outside auditor.
- The Committee shall discuss with the outside auditor the report that such auditor is required to make to the Committee regarding: (A) all accounting policies and practices to be used that the outside auditor identifies as critical; (B) all alternative treatments within GAAP for policies and practices related to material items that have been discussed among management and the outside auditor, including the ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the outside auditor; and (C) all material written communications between the outside auditor and management of the Company, such as any management letter, management representation letter, reports on observations and recommendations on internalcontrols, outside auditor’s engagement letter, outside auditor’s independence letter and schedule of unadjusted audit differences.
Annual Audit
- The Committee shall meet with the outside auditor and management in connection with each annual audit to discuss the scope of the audit and the procedures to be followed.
- The Committee shall review and discuss the audited financial statements with the outside auditor and the management of the Company. This discussion shall include such matters as significant adjustments, management judgments, accounting estimates, significant new accounting policies, disagreements with management and any other matters relating to the conduct of the annual audit required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61.
- The Committee shall, based on the review and discussions in paragraphs 6, 7 and 8, above, and the written disclosure, letter and discussions in paragraph number 2, above, and based on the disclosures received from the outside auditor regarding its independence and discussions with the auditor regarding such independence pursuant to paragraph 2, above, determine whether to recommend to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year subject to the audit.
- The Committee shall annually obtain from the outside auditor assurance that the audit was conducted in a manner consistent with Section 10A of the Exchange Act.
Quarterly Review
- The outside auditor shall review the interim financial statements to be included in any Form 10-Q of the Company, using professional standards and procedures for conducting such reviews, as established by generally accepted auditing standards and as required by the SEC.
- The Committee shall discuss with management and the outside auditor any results of the quarterly review that include such matters as significant adjustments, significant new accounting policies and disagreements with management. The Chair may represent the entire Committee for purposes of this discussion.
Internal Controls
- The Committee shall discuss with the outside auditor and the chief financial officer, at least annually, the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and financial controls of the Company. The Committee shall consider any recommendations for improvement of such internal control procedures.
- The Committee shall discuss with the outside auditor and with management any management letter provided by the outside auditor and any other significant matters brought to the attention of the Committee by the outside auditor as a result of its annual audit.
Internal Audit
15. The Committee shall discuss with the chief financial officer, at least annually, the activities and organizational structure of the Company’s internal audit function, the qualifications of the primary personnel performing such function, and any reports prepared by him or her or any other matters brought to the attention of the Committee.
16. The chief financial officer shall furnish to the Committee a copy of any audit report prepared by internal auditors.
Miscellaneous
- The Committee shall review and reassess the Committee’s charter at least annually and submit any recommended changes to the Board for its consideration.
- The Committee shall provide the report for inclusion in the Company’s Annual Proxy Statement required by Item 407(d)(3) of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- The Committee, through its Chair, shall report periodically, as deemed necessary or desirable by the Committee, but at least annually, to the full Board regarding the Committee’s actions and recommendations, if any.
- The Committee shall establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters. The Committee shall also establish procedures for the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
- The Committee shall review and approve all related party transactions that are required to be disclosed under Nasdaq regulations.
- The Committee shall exercise such other duties and responsibilities as are incidental to the purposes, duties and responsibilities specified herein and as may from time to time be delegated to the Committee by the Board of Directors.
General questions or requests for information can be directed to: email@bbgi.com
Chief Financial Officer:
Lauren Burrows Coleman
Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.
3033 Riviera Drive, Suite 200
Naples, FL 34103
Audit & Accounting:
Crowe LLP
401 E Las Olas Boulevard, STE 1100
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-4230
Transfer Agent:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219