Accounting and Auditing of Annual Financial Statements

Bechtle prepares the consolidated financial statements and the interim reports according to the applicable rules of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the annual financial statements of Bechtle AG according to the regulations of the German Commercial Code (HGB).

The annual financial statements were again audited by the final auditor Ernst & Young AG, which the Annual General Meeting had appointed as auditors for the fiscal year 2008.

Before submitting the election proposal, Ernst & Young AG issued a declaration of independence pursuant to Section 7.2.1 (1) DCGK. According to this declaration, there are no business, personal, financial, or other relationships between the audit firm and the Bechtle Group, which could cast doubt on the auditors’ independence. Moreover, the audit firm was not involved in the accounting or preparation of the annual or consolidated financial statements.

The auditor participated in the Supervisory Board discussions on the annual and consolidated financial statements and the balance sheet session on 17 March 2009 and reported the results of his audit. Moreover, he provided additional information and answered questions of the Supervisory Board concerning the audit.