Source: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div6&view=text&node=47:2.0.1.1.6.2&idno=47
Timestamp: 2014-03-09 22:45:12
Document Index: 27623027

Matched Legal Cases: ['§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§43', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', 'art 32', 'art 32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', 'art 36', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32', '§32']

Subpart B—General InstructionsContents§32.11 Classification of companies.
§32.12 Records.
§32.13 Accounts—general.
§32.14 Regulated accounts.
§32.15 [Reserved]
§32.16 Changes in accounting standards.
§32.17 Interpretation of accounts.
§32.18 Waivers.
§32.19 Address for reports and correspondence.
§32.20 Numbering convention.
§32.21 Sequence of accounts.
§32.22 Comprehensive interperiod tax allocation.
§32.23 Nonregulated activities.
§32.24 Compensated absences.
§32.25 Unusual items and contingent liabilities.
§32.26 Materiality.
§32.11 Classification of companies.(a) For purposes of this section, the term “company” or “companies” means incumbent local exchange carrier(s) as defined in section 251(h) of the Communications Act, and any other carriers that the Commission designates by Order. Incumbent local exchange carriers' successor or assign companies, as defined in section 251(h)(1)(B)(ii) of the Communications Act, that are found to be non-dominant by the Commission, will not be subject to this Uniform System of Accounts.(b) For accounting purposes, companies are divided into classes as follows: (1) Class A. Companies having annual revenues from regulated telecommunications operations that are equal to or above the indexed revenue threshold. (2) Class B. Companies having annual revenues from regulated telecommunications operations that are less than the indexed revenue threshold. (c) Class A companies, except mid-sized incumbent local exchange carriers, as defined by §32.9000, shall keep all the accounts of this system of accounts which are applicable to their affairs and are designated as Class A accounts. Class A companies, which include mid-sized incumbent local exchange carriers, shall keep Basic Property Records in compliance with the requirements of §§32.2000(e) and (f). (d) Class B companies and mid-sized incumbent local exchange carriers, as defined by §32.9000, shall keep all accounts of this system of accounts which are applicable to their affairs and are designated as Class B accounts. Mid-sized incumbent local exchange carriers shall also maintain subsidiary record categories necessary to provide the pole attachment data currently provided in the Class A accounts. Class B companies shall keep Continuing Property Records in compliance with the requirements of §§32.2000(e)(7)(i)(A) and 32.2000(f). (e) Class B companies and mid-sized incumbent local exchange carriers, as defined by §32.9000 of this part, that desire more detailed accounting may adopt the accounts prescribed for Class A companies upon the submission of a written notification to the Commission. (f) The classification of a company shall be determined at the start of the calendar year following the first time its annual operating revenue from regulated telecommunications operations equals, exceeds, or falls below the indexed revenue threshold.
§32.12 Records.(a) The company's financial records shall be kept in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles to the extent permitted by this system of accounts.(b) The company's financial records shall be kept with sufficient particularity to show fully the facts pertaining to all entries in these accounts. The detail records shall be filed in such manner as to be readily accessible for examination by representatives of this Commission.(c) The Commission shall require a company to maintain financial and other subsidiary records in such a manner that specific information, of a type not warranting disclosure as an account or subaccount, will be readily available. When this occurs, or where the full information is not otherwise recorded in the general books, the subsidiary records shall be maintained in sufficient detail to facilitate the reporting of the required specific information. The subsidiary records, in which the full details are shown, shall be sufficiently referenced to permit ready identification and examination by representatives of this Commission. Back to Top
§32.13 Accounts—general.(a) As a general rule, all accounts kept by reporting companies shall conform in numbers and titles to those prescribed herein. However, reporting companies may use different numbers for internal purposes when separate accounts (or subaccounts) maintained are consistent with the title and content of accounts and subaccounts prescribed in this system.(1) A company may subdivide any of the accounts prescribed. The titles of all such subaccounts shall refer by number or title to the controlling account.(2) A company may establish temporary or experimental accounts without prior notice to the Commission. (b) Exercise of the preceding options shall be allowed only if the integrity of the prescribed accounts is not impaired.(c) As of the date a company becomes subject to the system of accounts, the company is authorized to make any such subdivisions, reclassifications or consolidations of existing balances as are necessary to meet the requirements of this system of accounts.(d) Nothing contained in this part shall prohibit or excuse any company, receiver, or operating trustee of any carrier from subdividing the accounts hereby prescribed for the purpose of:(1) Complying with the requirements of the state commission(s) having jurisdiction; or(2) Securing the information required in the prescribed reports to such commission(s). (e) Where the use of subsidiary records is considered necessary in order to secure the information required in reports to any state commission, the company shall incorporate the following controls into their accounting system with respect to such subsidiary records: (1) Subsidiary records shall be reconciled to the company's general ledger or books of original entry, as appropriate. (2) The company shall adequately document the accounting procedures related to subsidiary records. (3) The subsidiary records shall be maintained at an adequate level of detail to satisfy state regulators. [51 FR 43499, Dec. 2, 1986, as amended at 65 FR 16334, Mar. 28, 2000; 67 FR 5679, Feb. 6, 2002]
§32.14 Regulated accounts.(a) In the context of this part, the regulated accounts shall be interpreted to include the investments, revenues and expenses associated with those telecommunications products and services to which the tariff filing requirements contained in Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, are applied, except as may be otherwise provided by the Commission. Regulated telecommunications products and services are thereby fully subject to the accounting requirements as specified in Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and as detailed in subparts A through F of this part of the Commission's Rules and Regulations. (b) In addition to those amounts considered to be regulated by the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, those telecommunications products and services to which the tariff filing requirements of the several state jurisdictions are applied shall be accounted for as regulated, except where such treatment is proscribed or otherwise excluded from the requirements pertaining to regulated telecommunications products and services by this Commission. (c) In the application of detailed accounting requirements contained in this part, when a regulated activity involves the common or joint use of assets and resources in the provision of regulated and nonregulated products and services, companies shall account for these activities within the accounts prescribed in this system for telephone company operations. Assets and expenses shall be subdivided in subsidiary records among amounts solely assignable to nonregulated activities, amounts solely assignable to regulated activities, and amounts related to assets used and expenses incurred jointly or in common, which will be allocated between regulated and nonregulated activities. Companies shall submit reports identifying regulated and nonregulated amounts in the manner and at the times prescribed by this Commission. Nonregulated revenue items not qualifying for incidental treatment, as provided in §32.4999(l), shall be recorded in Account 5280, Nonregulated operating revenue. (d) Other income items which are incidental to the provision of regulated products and services shall be accounted for as regulated activities.(e) All costs and revenues related to the offering of regulated products and services which result from arrangements for joint participation or apportionment between two or more telephone companies (e.g., joint operating agreements, settlement agreements, cost-pooling agreements) shall be recorded within the detailed accounts. Under joint operating agreements, the creditor will initially charge the entire expenses to the appropriate primary accounts. The proportion of such expenses borne by the debtor shall be credited by the creditor and charged by the debtor to the account initially charged. Any allowances for return on property used will be accounted for as provided in Account 5200, Miscellaneous revenue. (f) All items of nonregulated revenue, investment and expense that are not properly includible in the detailed, regulated accounts prescribed in subparts A through F of this part, as determined by paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section shall be accounted for and included in reports to this Commission as specified in §32.23 of this subpart.
[51 FR 43499, Dec. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 6560, Mar. 4, 1987; 53 FR 49321, Dec. 7, 1988; 67 FR 5679, Feb. 6, 2002]
§32.15 [Reserved] Back to Top
§32.16 Changes in accounting standards.(a) The company's records and accounts shall be adjusted to apply new accounting standards prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or successor authoritative accounting standard-setting groups, in a manner consistent with generally accepted accounting principles. The change in an accounting standard will automatically take effect 90 days after the company informs this Commission of its intention to follow the new standard, unless the Commission notifies the company to the contrary. Any change adopted shall be disclosed in annual reports required by §43.21(f) of this chapter in the year of adoption. (b) The changes in accounting standards which this Commission approves will not necessarily be binding on the ratemaking practices of the various state commissions.
[51 FR 43499, Dec. 2, 1986, as amended at 64 FR 50007, Sept. 15, 1999; 67 FR 5679, Feb. 6, 2002]
§32.17 Interpretation of accounts.To the end that uniform accounting shall be maintained within the prescribed system, questions involving significant matters which are not clearly provided for shall be submitted to the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, for explanation, interpretation, or resolution. Questions and answers thereto with respect to this system of accounts will be maintained by the Wireline Competition Bureau.
[67 FR 13225, Mar. 21, 2002]
§32.18 Waivers.A waiver from any provision of this system of accounts shall be made by the Federal Communications Commission upon its own initiative or upon the submission of written request therefor from any telecommunications company, or group of telecommunications companies, provided that such a waiver is in the public interest and each request for waiver expressly demonstrates that: existing peculiarities or unusual circumstances warrant a departure from a prescribed procedure or technique; a specifically defined alternative procedure or technique will result in a substantially equivalent or more accurate portrayal of operating results or financial condition, consistent with the principles embodied in the provisions of this system of accounts; and the application of such alternative procedure will maintain or improve uniformity in substantive results as among telecommunications companies. Back to Top
§32.19 Address for reports and correspondence.Reports, statements, and correspondence submitted to the Federal Communications Commission in accordance with or relating to instructions and requirements contained herein shall be addressed to the Wireless Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.
[51 FR 43499, Dec. 2, 1986, as amended at 67 FR 13225, Mar. 21, 2002]
§32.20 Numbering convention.(a) The number “32” (appearing to the left of the first decimal point) indicates the part number.(b) The numbers immediately following to the right of the decimal point indicate, respectively, the section or account. All Part 32 Account numbers contain 4 digits to-the-right-of the decimal point.(c) Cross references to accounts are made by citing the account numbers to the right of the decimal point; e.g., Account 2232 rather than the corresponding complete part 32 reference number 32.2232. Back to Top
§32.21 Sequence of accounts.The order in which the accounts are presented in this system of accounts is not to be considered as necessarily indicative of the order in which they will be scheduled at all times in reports to this Commission. Back to Top
§32.22 Comprehensive interperiod tax allocation.(a) Companies shall apply interperiod tax allocation (tax normalization) to all book/tax temporary differences which would be considered material for published financial report purposes. Furthermore, companies shall also apply interperiod tax allocation if any item or group of similar items when aggregated would yield debit or credit entries which exceed or would exceed 5 percent of the gross deferred income tax expense debits or credits during any calendar year over the life of the temporary difference. The tax effects of book/tax temporary differences shall be normalized and the deferrals shall be included in the following accounts:
4100, Net Current Deferred Operating Income Taxes;
4110, Net Current Deferred Nonoperating Income Taxes;
4340, Net Noncurrent Deferred Operating Income Taxes;
4350, Net Noncurrent Deferred Nonoperating Income Taxes.
In lieu of the accounting prescribed herein, any company shall treat the increase or reduction in current income taxes payable resulting from the use of flow through accounting in prior years as an increase or reduction in current tax expense.(b) Supporting documentation shall be maintained so as to separately identify the amount of deferred taxes which arise from the use of an accelerated method of depreciation. (c) Subsidiary records shall be used to reduce the deferred tax assets contained in the accounts specified in paragraph (a) of this section when it is likely that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The amount recorded in the subsidiary record should be sufficient to reduce the deferred tax asset to the amount that is likely to be realized.(d) The records supporting the activity in the deferred income tax accounts shall be maintained in sufficient detail to identify the nature of the specific temporary differences giving rise to both the debits and credits to the individual accounts.(e) Any company that uses accelerated depreciation (or recognizes taxable income or losses upon the retirement of property) for income tax purposes shall normalize the tax differentials occasioned thereby as indicated in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section. (1) With respect to the retirement of property the book/tax difference between (i) the recognition of proceeds as income and the accrual for salvage value and (ii) the book and tax capital recovery, shall be normalized. (2) Records shall be maintained so as to show the deferred tax amounts by vintage year separately for each class or subclass of eligible depreciable telephone plant for which an accelerated method of depreciation has been used for income tax purposes. When property is transferred to nonregulated activities, the associated deferred income taxes and unamortized investment tax credits shall also be identified and transferred to the appropriate nonregulated accounts. (f) The tax differentials to be normalized as specified in this section shall also encompass the additional effect of state and local income tax changes on Federal income taxes produced by the provision for deferred state and local income taxes for book/tax temporary differences related to such income taxes.(g) Companies that receive the tax benefits from the filing of a consolidated income tax return by the parent company, (pursuant to closing agreements with the Internal Revenue Service, effective January 1, 1966) representing the deferred income taxes from the elimination of intercompany profits for income tax purposes on sales of regulated equipment, may credit such deferred taxes directly to the plant account which contains such intercompany profit rather than crediting such deferred taxes to the applicable accounts in paragraph (a) of this section. If the deferred income taxes are recorded as a reduction of the appropriate plant accounts, such reduction shall be treated as reducing the original cost of the plant and accounted for as such. [51 FR 43499, Dec. 2, 1986, as amended at 59 FR 9418, Feb. 28, 1994]
§32.23 Nonregulated activities.(a) This section describes the accounting treatment of activities classified for accounting purposes as “nonregulated.” Preemptively deregulated activities and activities (other than incidental activities) never subject to regulation will be classified for accounting purposes as “nonregulated.” Activities that qualify for incidental treatment under the policies of this Commission will be classified for accounting purposes as regulated activities. Activities that have been deregulated by a state will be classified for accounting purposes as regulated activities. Activities that have been deregulated at the interstate level, but not preemptively deregulated, will be classified for accounting purposes as regulated activities until such time as this Commission decides otherwise. The treatment of nonregulated activities shall differ depending on the extent of the common or joint use of assets and resources in the provision of both regulated and nonregulated products and services. (b) When a nonregulated activity does not involve the joint or common use of assets and resources in the provision of both regulated and nonregulated products and services, carriers shall account for these activities on a separate set of books consistent with instructions set forth in §§32.1406 and 32.7990. Transfers of assets, and sales of products and services between the regulated activity and a nonregulated activity for which a separate set of books is maintained, shall be accounted for in accordance with the rules presented in §32.27, Transactions with Affiliates. In the separate set of books, carriers may establish whatever detail they deem appropriate beyond what is necessary to provide this Commission with the information required in §§32.1406 and 32.7990. (c) When a nonregulated activity does involve the joint or common use of assets and resources in the provision of regulated and nonregulated products and services, carriers shall account for these activities within accounts prescribed in this system for telephone company operations. Assets and expenses shall be subdivided in subsidiary records among amounts solely assignable to nonregulated activities, amounts solely assignable to regulated activities, and amounts related to assets and expenses incurred jointly or in common, which will be allocated between regulated and nonregulated activities. Carriers shall submit reports identifying regulated and nonregulated amounts in the manner and at the times prescribed by this Commission. Nonregulated revenue items not qualifying for incidental treatment as provided in §32.4999(l) of this part, shall be recorded in separate subsidiary record categories of Account 5280, Nonregulated operating revenue. Amounts assigned or allocated to regulated products or services shall be subject to part 36 of this chapter.
[52 FR 6560, Mar. 4, 1987, as amended at 53 FR 49322, Dec. 7, 1988; 59 FR 46930, Sept. 13, 1994; 64 FR 50007, Sept. 15, 1999]
§32.24 Compensated absences.(a) Companies shall record a liability and charge the appropriate expense accounts for compensated absences (vacations, sick leave, etc.) in the year in which these benefits are earned by employees.(b) With respect to the liability that exists for compensated absences which is not yet recorded on the books as of the effective date of this part, the liability shall be recorded in Account 4130. Other current liabilities, with a corresponding entry to Account 1438, Deferred maintenance, retirements and other deferred charges. This deferred charge shall be amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of ten years. (c) Records shall be maintained so as to show that no more than ten percent of the deferred charge is being amortized each year.
[51 FR 43499, Dec. 2, 1986, as amended at 67 FR 5679, Feb. 6, 2002]
§32.25 Unusual items and contingent liabilities.Extraordinary items, prior period adjustments, and contingent liabilities may be recorded in the company's books of account without prior Commission approval.
§32.26 Materiality.Companies shall follow this system of accounts in recording all financial and statistical data irrespective of an individual item's materiality under GAAP, unless a waiver has been granted under the provisions of §32.18 of this subpart to do otherwise. Back to Top
§32.27 Transactions with affiliates.(a) Unless otherwise approved by the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, transactions with affiliates involving asset transfers into or out of the regulated accounts shall be recorded by the carrier in its regulated accounts as provided in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this section.(b) Assets sold or transferred between a carrier and its affiliate pursuant to a tariff, including a tariff filed with a state commission, shall be recorded in the appropriate revenue accounts at the tariffed rate. Non-tariffed assets sold or transferred between a carrier and its affiliate that qualify for prevailing price valuation, as defined in paragraph (d) of this section, shall be recorded at the prevailing price. For all other assets sold by or transferred from a carrier to its affiliate, the assets shall be recorded at no less than the higher of fair market value and net book cost. For all other assets sold by or transferred to a carrier from its affiliate, the assets shall be recorded at no more than the lower of fair market value and net book cost. (1) Floor. When assets are sold by or transferred from a carrier to an affiliate, the higher of fair market value and net book cost establishes a floor, below which the transaction cannot be recorded. Carriers may record the transaction at an amount equal to or greater than the floor, so long as that action complies with the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, Commission rules and orders, and is not otherwise anti-competitive. (2) Ceiling. When assets are purchased from or transferred from an affiliate to a carrier, the lower of fair market value and net book cost establishes a ceiling, above which the transaction cannot be recorded. Carriers may record the transaction at an amount equal to or less than the ceiling, so long as that action complies with the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, Commission rules and orders, and is not otherwise anti-competitive. (3) Threshold. For purposes of this section carriers are required to make a good faith determination of fair market value for an asset when the total aggregate annual value of the asset(s) reaches or exceeds $500,000, per affiliate. When a carrier reaches or exceeds the $500,000 threshold for a particular asset for the first time, the carrier must perform the market valuation and value the transaction on a going-forward basis in accordance with the affiliate transactions rules on a going-forward basis. When the total aggregate annual value of the asset(s) does not reach or exceed $500,000, the asset(s) shall be recorded at net book cost. (c) Services provided between a carrier and its affiliate pursuant to a tariff, including a tariff filed with a state commission, shall be recorded in the appropriate revenue accounts at the tariffed rate. Non-tariffed services provided between a carrier and its affiliate pursuant to publicly-filed agreements submitted to a state commission pursuant to section 252(e) of the Communications Act of 1934 or statements of generally available terms pursuant to section 252(f) shall be recorded using the charges appearing in such publicly-filed agreements or statements. Non-tariffed services provided between a carrier and its affiliate that qualify for prevailing price valuation, as defined in paragraph (d) of this section, shall be recorded at the prevailing price. For all other services sold by or transferred from a carrier to its affiliate, the services shall be recorded at no less than the higher of fair market value and fully distributed cost. For all other services sold by or transferred to a carrier from its affiliate, the services shall be recorded at no more than the lower of fair market value and fully distributed cost. (1) Floor. When services are sold by or transferred from a carrier to an affiliate, the higher of fair market value and fully distributed cost establishes a floor, below which the transaction cannot be recorded. Carriers may record the transaction at an amount equal to or greater than the floor, so long as that action complies with the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, Commission rules and orders, and is not otherwise anti-competitive. (2) Ceiling. When services are purchased from or transferred from an affiliate to a carrier, the lower of fair market value and fully distributed cost establishes a ceiling, above which the transaction cannot be recorded. Carriers may record the transaction at an amount equal to or less than the ceiling, so long as that action complies with the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, Commission rules and orders, and is not otherwise anti-competitive. (3) Threshold. For purposes of this section, carriers are required to make a good faith determination of fair market value for a service when the total aggregate annual value of that service reaches or exceeds $500,000, per affiliate. When a carrier reaches or exceeds the $500,000 threshold for a particular service for the first time, the carrier must perform the market valuation and value the transaction in accordance with the affiliate transactions rules on a going-forward basis. All services received by a carrier from its affiliate(s) that exist solely to provide services to members of the carrier's corporate family shall be recorded at fully distributed cost. (d) In order to qualify for prevailing price valuation in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, sales of a particular asset or service to third parties must encompass greater than 25 percent of the total quantity of such product or service sold by an entity. Carriers shall apply this 25 percent threshold on an asset-by-asset and service-by-service basis, rather than on a product-line or service-line basis. In the case of transactions for assets and services subject to section 272, a BOC may record such transactions at prevailing price regardless of whether the 25 percent threshold has been satisfied. (e) Income taxes shall be allocated among the regulated activities of the carrier, its nonregulated divisions, and members of an affiliated group. Under circumstances in which income taxes are determined on a consolidated basis by the carrier and other members of the affiliated group, the income tax expense to be recorded by the carrier shall be the same as would result if determined for the carrier separately for all time periods, except that the tax effect of carry-back and carry-forward operating losses, investment tax credits, or other tax credits generated by operations of the carrier shall be recorded by the carrier during the period in which applied in settlement of the taxes otherwise attributable to any member, or combination of members, of the affiliated group. (f) Companies that employ average schedules in lieu of actual costs are exempt from the provisions of this section. For other organizations, the principles set forth in this section shall apply equally to corporations, proprietorships, partnerships and other forms of business organizations.