Aker

Regulatory Filings • Mar 30, 2022

Recommendation on selection of auditor

Aker ASA conducted a competitive tender for audit services in 2021 together with several other companies within the Aker group. Pursuant to Article 16, paragraph 2 of EU Regulation no. 537/2014, the Auditors Act and amendments in the Norwegian Public Limited Liability Companies Act, the Audit Committee shall make a recommendation to the Annual General Meeting of Aker ASA regarding the selection of an auditor. The recommendation shall identify at least two alternatives from which to select an auditor and shall make a justified recommendation for one of the auditors.

In order to comply with the independence requirements including the prohibited services listed in Article 5 in the EU Regulation referred to above, the election of the new auditor will be effective for the audit from the fiscal year starting with 1 January 2022. Aker ASA's current auditor, KPMG, will act as Aker ASA' auditor for the entire 2021 fiscal year audit and continue to act as the company's auditor until appointment of the new auditor by the General Meeting on April 22, 2022.

The audit firms Deloitte, KPMG and PwC submitted offers. Other relevant providers of audit services were considered but did not take part in the competitive tender. After the tenders were received on 7 June 2021, a thorough review process was conducted, including presentations of the tenders and individual meetings with all tender participants. All tenders were evaluated against predefined selection criteria:

• Understanding of Aker (industry, business risk etc.)
• Audit approach, including but not limited to ICFR audit integration
• Audit fee and fee level for non-audit services
• Reporting, feedback and knowledge sharing
• Team composition, competence, experience and service level
• Transition process

The tender participants are all competent and professional, and they are ranked among the best audit firms globally. They all scored high on the predefined selection criteria and were all assessed capable to provide effective and high-quality audit services to Aker ASA. The final phase of the tender process included follow-up meetings, clarifications, reference checks and final fee negotiations.

Overall, the tender from PwC achieved the highest score; demonstrating a committed company with strong teams possessing industry knowledge, local presence where Aker has

Aker ASA

its operations, efficient audit approach with well-integrated technology platform and embedded internal control (ICFR) in addition to the most competitive audit fee.

Based on the conclusion from the tender process, the Audit Committee recommends that PwC is elected as auditor for Aker ASA, effective from the fiscal year audit starting with 1 January 2022.

The Audit Committee would however like to thank KPMG for several years of delivering high-quality audit services and excellent expertise to Aker.

In accordance with Article 16, paragraph 2 of the EU regulation no. 537/2014, the Audit Committee confirms that the recommendation is free from influence by a third party and that no clause or contract are entered into between Aker ASA and a third party limiting the alternatives available to the annual general meeting of Aker ASA, as referred to in Article 37 of Directive 2006/43/EC.

Oslo, 24 March 2022

Frank O. Reite Chair of the Audit Committee