ATLANTA - Southern Company today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company's independent auditor for 2002. Deloitte & Touche will replace Arthur Andersen LLP as the independent auditor for the company.<br>
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The appointment of Deloitte & Touche was made by the Board of Directors on the recommendation of its Audit Committee and concludes an evaluation process that occurs annually.<br>
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"The board's decision to select Deloitte was influenced by the depth of that firm's experience in the energy industry and the quality of the audit team that will be dedicated to Southern Company going forward," said Gale Klappa, Southern Company's chief financial officer.<br>
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The decision to change auditors was not the result of any disagreement between the company and Arthur Andersen on any matter of accounting<br>
principles, practices or financial disclosure. <br>
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During its long tenure as the company's independent auditor, Arthur Andersen provided quality service and demonstrated a high level of professionalism, Klappa added.<br>
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