Entergy 2009 Annual Report Download - page 59

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55
ENTERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
Management of Entergy Corporation and its subsidiaries has prepared and is responsible for the financial
statements and related financial information included in this document. To meet this responsibility, management
establishes and maintains a system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
preparation and fair presentation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
This system includes communication through written policies and procedures, an employee Code of Entegrity, and an
organizational structure that provides for appropriate division of responsibility and training of personnel. This
system is also tested by a comprehensive internal audit program.
Entergy management assesses the effectiveness of Entergy's internal control over financial reporting on an
annual basis. In making this assessment, management uses the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. Management
acknowledges, however, that all internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations and
can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Entergy Corporation's independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an
attestation report on the effectiveness of Entergy's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009,
which is included herein on page 56.
In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, composed solely of independent Directors, meets
with the independent auditors, internal auditors, management, and internal accountants periodically to discuss
internal controls, and auditing and financial reporting matters. The Audit Committee appoints the independent
auditors annually, seeks shareholder ratification of the appointment, and reviews with the independent auditors the
scope and results of the audit effort. The Audit Committee also meets periodically with the independent auditors and
the chief internal auditor without management present, providing free access to the Audit Committee.
Based on management's assessment of internal controls using the COSO criteria, management believes that
Entergy maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. Management further
believes that this assessment, combined with the policies and procedures noted above, provides reasonable assurance
that Entergy's financial statements are fairly and accurately presented in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
J. WAYNE LEONARD
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Entergy Corporation
LEO P. DENAULT
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Entergy Corporation
57