

[Federal Register: July 24, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 141)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 41997-42003]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jy06-12]                         


[[Page 41997]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part V





Securities and Exchange Commission





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



17 CFR Part 202



Amendments to the Informal and Other Procedures; Public Company 
Accounting Oversight Board Budget Approval Process; Final Rule


[[Page 41998]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 202

[Release Nos. 33-8724; 34-54168]

 
Amendments to the Informal and Other Procedures; Public Company 
Accounting Oversight Board Budget Approval Process

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or 
``Commission'') is amending its Informal and Other Procedures to add a 
rule that facilitates Commission review and approval of the budget and 
accounting support fee for the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (``PCAOB'' or ``Board''), which is required by the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002.

DATES: Effective Date: August 23, 2006. Transition Dates: The PCAOB 
must comply with the timetable in Sec.  202.11(c) and utilize a 
comprehensive strategic plan with respect to its budget and budget and 
justification no later than its budget submissions for 2008; provided 
however that the PCAOB and Commission shall use their best efforts to 
substantially comply with the timetable in Sec.  202.11(c) for the 
PCAOB budget submission for 2007. This transition provision does not 
constitute a waiver of the requirement in section 109(b) of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that the PCAOB adopt a budget not less than 
one month prior to the commencement of its 2007 fiscal year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert E. Burns, Chief Counsel, or 
Melanie S. Jacobsen, Senior Special Counsel, at (202) 551-5300, Office 
of the Chief Accountant, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F 
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is amending its Informal and 
Other Procedures \1\ to add new Rule 11 related to the Commission's 
review and approval of the PCAOB budget and accounting support fee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 17 CFR 202, et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Background

    The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the ``Act'') established the PCAOB 
to oversee the audits of public companies that are subject to the 
securities laws, in order to protect the interests of investors and 
further the public interest in the preparation of informative, 
accurate, and independent audit reports. While the PCAOB is a private, 
nonprofit corporation,\2\ it operates under the statutory oversight and 
enforcement authority of the Commission.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Sections 101(a) and (b) of the Act; 15 U.S.C. 7211(a) and 
(b).
    \3\ The Act vests the Commission with oversight duties and 
responsibilities, including the duties to appoint the members of the 
PCAOB, approve PCAOB rules and professional standards for them to 
take effect, and act as an appellate authority for PCAOB enforcement 
actions and disputes regarding inspection reports. The Commission 
also, among other things, may amend existing PCAOB rules, assign 
additional tasks to the PCAOB as appropriate, oversee the PCAOB's 
exercise of certain assigned powers and duties, and limit the 
PCAOB's activities and remove PCAOB members. See sections 101, 104, 
105, 107, and 109 of the Act; 15 U.S.C. 7211, 7214, 7215, 7217 and 
7219.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, the funding and budgeting functions of the PCAOB are 
subject to the express statutory requirement of approval by the 
Commission. Pursuant to section 109 of the Act, the Commission is 
required to approve the PCAOB budget for each fiscal year and the 
annual accounting support fee that supports the PCAOB's operations.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Section 109(b) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 7219(b), which states, 
in part:
    The Board * * * shall * * * establish a budget for each fiscal 
year, which shall be reviewed and approved according to * * * [its] 
internal procedures not less than 1 month prior to the commencement 
of the fiscal year to which the budget pertains. * * * The budget 
shall be subject to approval of the Commission. * * *
    Section 109(c)(1) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 7219(c)(1), which 
states, in part:
    The budget of the Board (reduced by any registration or annual 
fees received under section 102(e) for the year preceding the year 
for which the budget is being computed) * * * shall be payable from 
annual accounting support fees, in accordance with subsections (d) * 
* *. Accounting support fees and other receipts of the Board * * * 
shall not be considered public monies of the United States.
    Section 109(d)(1) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 7219(d)(1), which 
states, in part:
    The Board shall establish, with the approval of the Commission, 
a reasonable annual accounting support fee (or a formula for the 
computation thereof), as may be necessary or appropriate to 
establish and maintain the Board.
    Section 109(d)(2) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 7219(d)(2), which 
states, in part:
    The rules of the Board * * * shall provide for the equitable 
allocation, assessment, and collection by the Board * * * of the fee 
established * * * among issuers, in accordance with subsection (g), 
allowing for differentiation among classes of issuers, as 
appropriate.
    Section 109(g) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 7219(g), which states, in 
part:
    Any amount due from issuers (or a particular class of issuers) 
under this section to fund the budget of the Board--shall be 
allocated among and payable by each issuer (or each issuer in a 
particular class, as applicable) in an amount equal to the total of 
such amount, multiplied by a fraction--
    (1) the numerator of which is the average monthly equity market 
capitalization of the issuer for the 12-month period immediately 
preceding the beginning of the fiscal year to which such budget 
relates; and
    (2) the denominator of which is the average monthly equity 
market capitalization of all such issuers for such 12-month period.
    PCAOB Rule 7100, approved by the Commission in Release No. 34-
48278 (August 1, 2003), provides a formula for computation of the 
annual accounting support fee. It states, in part: ``The Board shall 
calculate an accounting support fee each year. The accounting 
support fee shall equal the budget of the Board, as approved by the 
Commission, less the sum of all registration fees and annual fees 
received during the preceding calendar year from public accounting 
firms, pursuant to section 102(f) of the Act--.''
    PCAOB Rule 7101, approved by the Commission in Release No. 34-
48278 (August 1, 2003), identifies four classes of issuers and 
provides for the allocation of the support fee among those issuers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This statutory allocation of responsibility to the PCAOB, to 
formulate budgets and accounting support fees in the first instance,\5\ 
and to the Commission, to review and approve them,\6\ is designed to 
assure effective governmental oversight of the budgetary process of the 
PCAOB. It contemplates a procedure through which (1) an annual 
determination may be made each year of the appropriate level of PCAOB 
revenues and expenditures; (2) budget priorities may be established; 
and (3) information may be furnished in a timely manner to the 
Commission, and thence to the Congress, the executive branch, and the 
public, in a manner that will assist the PCAOB in discharging its 
duties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See section 109(b) of the Act, supra, and section 101(f) of 
the Act, 15 U.S.C. 7211(f), which states, in part:
    * * * the Board shall have the power, subject to section 107--* 
* *
    (4) To appoint such employees, accountants, attorneys, and other 
agents as may be necessary or appropriate, and to determine their 
qualifications, define their duties, and fix their salaries and 
other compensation (at a level that is comparable to private sector 
regulatory, accounting, technical, supervisory, or other staff or 
management positions). * * *
    See also sections 101(c)(7) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 7211(c)(7).
    \6\ To perform this budget oversight and approval function, the 
Commission, among other things, assesses the PCAOB's funding 
priorities and competing demands for PCAOB resources. In addition, 
the Commission considers whether the PCAOB's administrative and 
financial management are appropriate, whether improved coordinating 
mechanisms should be developed, and whether unnecessary burdens are 
placed on the public.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The early experience of the PCAOB and the Commission with adoption 
and approval of annual budgets has revealed the need for a more formal 
procedure, in particular to establish a clear timetable for each 
successive step in a more organized budget process. Both the PCAOB and 
the Commission have expressed a desire to better organize and routinize 
the annual budget making function. The goal of the new procedures is to 
improve the timeliness and transparency of the budget process and 
thereby promote high quality decision making. This rule is designed to 
establish such a process.

[[Page 41999]]

II. Discussion

    The budget process described below is designed to codify a thorough 
and deliberative process for both the PCAOB's preparation and the 
Commission's review of PCAOB budgets. While it is recognized that 
circumstances might occur that lead the Commission and PCAOB to agree 
to vary the process from time to time, the Commission expects that it 
and the PCAOB will follow the practices in the rule to the fullest 
extent practicable. The Commission also may waive any of the 
requirements set forth in this rule if circumstances warrant.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ In addition, the Commission and PCAOB may assess whether 
changes to the rule are appropriate after the completion of one or 
more budget cycles.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    References to the ``PCAOB'' in either this release or the rule are 
not intended to require a vote or other official action by the members 
of the Board. Rather, the Commission expects that actions under the 
rule will be performed as authorized in the Act and the PCAOB's 
bylaws.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ The PCAOB's bylaws are available on the PCAOB web site: 
http://www.pcaobus.org/.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Timetable

    The rule contains a timetable that is designed to allow for a more 
meaningful dialogue between the PCAOB and the Commission regarding the 
content of each budget. The events and dates set forth in the timetable 
refer to the year immediately preceding the budget year.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ The PCAOB has a calendar-year fiscal year. If the PCAOB 
changes its fiscal year to end on a date other than December 31, the 
Commission would interpret the timetable so that the dates would be 
adjusted accordingly. For example, the narrative discussion of the 
PCAOB's program issues and outlook for a fiscal year would be due on 
or before the fifteenth day of the third month of the preceding 
PCAOB fiscal year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The first item in the timetable calls for the PCAOB, by March 15th, 
to provide the Commission with a narrative description of its program 
issues and outlook for the budget year. This narrative is to contain a 
discussion of the significant factors that the PCAOB anticipates may 
impact its resource needs in the budget year. The second step is for 
the Commission, after consideration of the PCAOB narrative, to provide 
the PCAOB with budgetary guidance and economic assumptions by April 
30th. The nature and extent of guidance and assumptions may vary from 
year to year and may include general information about the securities 
markets, the accounting profession, and other factors impacting the 
range of budget resources that, in the opinion of the Commission, are 
needed by the PCAOB to carry out its statutory responsibilities.
    The timetable calls for the PCAOB to provide the Commission each 
fiscal year with a preliminary budget for the next fiscal year, and 
with a justification for that preliminary budget, on or before the end 
of July. The new rule states that the budget and budget justification 
should include, among other things, a detailed budget plan, analyses of 
the PCAOB's programs and what the PCAOB expects to accomplish in the 
coming budget year, and a discussion of how the performance of the 
programs detailed in the budget will lead to both the accomplishment of 
the PCAOB's long-term strategic goals and the fulfillment of the 
PCAOB's duties and responsibilities under the Act.
    The timetable allows three months following the submission of the 
preliminary budget and budget justification, August through October, 
for the Commission to analyze the PCAOB's background materials and the 
documentation for its budget, and for the Commission and the PCAOB to 
discuss the PCAOB's programs, assumptions, projected expenditures and 
receipts, and other information in or relevant to the preliminary 
budget and the budget justification. By the end of this three month 
period, the timetable calls for the Commission to ``passback'' the 
budget to the PCAOB with suggested revisions and the Commission's 
preliminary views on the budget.
    As required by section 109 of the Act, the timetable provides for 
the PCAOB to approve its final budget before the end of the next month, 
which would be November 30. As a result of the thorough process 
preceding the PCAOB's approval, the PCAOB should be in a position to 
submit its final budget to the Commission immediately after the PCAOB 
approves it. This should permit the Commission, which would be familiar 
with the budget based on the review of the preliminary budget and the 
budget justification and communications with the PCAOB, to vote whether 
to approve the PCAOB budget and the accounting support fee on or before 
December 23rd of each year.
    In the course of reviewing prior PCAOB budgets, SEC Commissioners 
and staff have met with PCAOB Board members and staff to discuss 
matters related to the budget and the Commission understands that PCAOB 
Board members and staff will continue to make themselves available for 
such meetings. In addition, to the extent determined appropriate, the 
Commission may ask the PCAOB to participate in meetings of the 
Commission to discuss matters related to the budget and the PCAOB has 
expressed its willingness, if requested by the Commission, to 
participate in such meetings.

B. Contents of the Budget and Budget Justification

    As noted above, the rule provides for the preliminary budget, the 
budget submitted for Commission approval, and the accompanying budget 
justifications to include comprehensive explanations of the PCAOB's 
budget plan, past and projected performance, and strategic goals. Under 
the rule, the budget justification includes a ``performance budget'' 
for the budget year, which, among other things, details what the PCAOB 
plans to accomplish, organized by strategic goal, and a description of 
the resources, means and strategies needed to accomplish those targets. 
The performance budget also would contain the performance targets for 
the current year and the previous year\10\ and describe the resources, 
means and strategies needed to accomplish those targets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ For example, if the budget year is 2009, the current year 
(in which the 2009 budget is being prepared) would be 2008, and the 
previous year would be 2007. The Commission also recognizes that, 
until the PCAOB publishes a comprehensive strategic plan, an 
increased number of performance targets may be described in more 
qualitative than quantitative terms.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To facilitate analyses of the PCAOB's progress in meeting its goals 
and any trends in its performance and financial operations, the rule 
provides for each budget to include, among other information, 
projected, and to the extent available actual, expenditures and 
receipts for the budget year, the current year and the previous year 
(for a total of three years).\11\ The new rule also states that the 
budget will include beginning-of-year and end-of-year headcounts for 
each program area. In addition, to facilitate the Commission's analysis 
and approval of the budget, the rule indicates that the Commission 
expects the budget and budget justification either to be consistent 
with or to explain any deviations from the guidance and economic 
assumptions previously provided by the Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Projected and actual expenditures include salary, benefits, 
relocation and similar benefits. The Commission will review such 
expenses to assess whether they are consistent with statutory 
criteria.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The new rule allows the PCAOB to include in its budget and 
accounting support fee amounts that are necessary to build a reserve 
not to exceed the obligations expected to be incurred during the first 
five months immediately following the budget year, in order to provide 
that the delays in the billing and collection of the accounting support

[[Page 42000]]

fee that are inherent in the statute, and significant unforeseen 
events, should not threaten the liquidity of the organization. The 
funds in that reserve, however, may be used only in accordance with the 
budget for that following fiscal year or a supplemental budget, as 
approved by the Commission.
    If the Commission has not approved a budget for a PCAOB fiscal year 
before the beginning of that fiscal year, the rule provides that the 
PCAOB may spend funds from its reserve and continue to incur 
obligations as if the last PCAOB budget approved by the Commission were 
continuing in effect for the new fiscal year.

C. Commission-Approved Budgets

    The statutory requirement that the Commission approve the PCAOB 
budget, contained in section 109 of the Act, is consistent with the 
general oversight responsibility with which the Commission is charged 
in section 107. These responsibilities for the budget and operations of 
the PCAOB require the ability to promote changes in the PCAOB budget 
when the Commission believes those changes are necessary or 
appropriate. The rule makes clear, therefore, that while the Commission 
may not directly change the budget, it may make its approval of a 
budget conditional on changes to amounts and other aspects of the 
budget. The PCAOB, in turn, will have the opportunity to consider the 
proposed changes and to vote again for final approval with or without 
the changes. To prevent the possibility of missed deadlines, if 
differences have not been resolved by December 23 then the terms of the 
most recent conditional approval would become the final budget.
    The budget approval requirement is also made more meaningful by 
limiting the PCAOB's ability to incur expenses and obligations to the 
general terms of the Commission-approved budget. The rule makes clear 
that the PCAOB may not spend in a budget year more than the overall 
expenditure amount specified in the Commission-approved budget and may 
not transfer more than $1,000,000 into or out of any program area 
without prior Commission approval of a supplemental budget. The rule 
also makes clear that, once a budget is approved by the Commission, the 
PCAOB cannot use its resources in a manner that is not fairly implied 
from the approved budget. For example, without Commission approval, the 
PCAOB may not create a new program to perform functions that are not 
included in that budget, or eliminate a program that is described in 
that budget.

D. Supplemental Budgets

    The new rule provides procedures for the PCAOB to seek Commission 
approval either to spend amounts in excess of, or contrary to, the 
spending limitations set forth in the rule. In these cases, the new 
rule provides for the PCAOB to submit a supplemental budget to the 
Commission.\12\ The supplemental budget is to describe, among other 
things, the events or circumstances necessitating the supplemental 
budget request, why the request should not or can not be postponed 
until the next regular annual budget process, and the proposed source 
for the funds, including any offsets to be made in other programs and 
activities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ If there is an urgent need for the PCAOB to obtain approval 
of a supplemental budget, the Commission may act by duty officer or 
other means to expedite the approval process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Records

    Under section 107(a) of the Act,\13\ the Commission may adopt rules 
requiring the PCAOB to make, keep, and furnish to the Commission such 
records and reports as the Commission prescribes as necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest.\14\ In addition, all records of the 
PCAOB are subject to reasonable examinations by the representatives of 
the Commission as the Commission deems necessary or appropriate in the 
public interest, or the protection of investors, or otherwise in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.\15\ Pursuant to this authority, 
as well as the authority inherent in its duty to approve the PCAOB 
budget, the new rule requires that the PCAOB maintain, and make 
available to the Commission upon request, a strategic plan and other 
records in reasonable detail that support each budget and budget 
justification.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 7217(a), which provides that sections 17(a)(1) 
and 17(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange 
Act''), 15 U.S.C. 78q(a)(1) and 78q(b)(1), shall apply to the PCAOB 
as fully as if the PCAOB were a ``registered securities 
association.''
    \14\ Section 17(a)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q(a)(1).
    \15\ Section 17(b)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78q(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the rule requires that the PCAOB prepare a report of 
its spending and staffing levels for each quarter, comparing those 
levels to the levels in the Commission approved budget. Within 30 
business days after the end of the quarter, the PCAOB is required to 
provide a copy of that report to the Commission.

F. Publication of Budget

    Under the new rule, the interchange between the Commission and the 
PCAOB on budget matters would begin with the PCAOB providing a 
narrative description of its program issues and outlook in March and 
conclude with the Commission vote in December. After the PCAOB provides 
the Commission with a description of program issues and outlook, the 
Commission and PCAOB together will discuss ideas and consider initial 
recommendations and proposals before the PCAOB approves its final 
budget in November. During these initial discussions, neither 
organization will publish the PCAOB's budget, budget justification, 
supplemental budget, or any underlying materials not otherwise intended 
for public distribution, until the time the budget is approved by the 
PCAOB and submitted to the Commission for approval.\16\ Once the PCAOB 
submits its budget to the Commission, the rule provides for public 
disclosure, subject to any applicable exemption under the Freedom of 
Information Act,\17\ of the PCAOB budget and budget justification, 
including the PCAOB's ``performance budget'' for the budget year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ This limitation does not restrict individual PCAOB members 
from generally commenting on their individual views of the funding 
requirements of the organization or the status of the Board's 
deliberations, either before or after the PCAOB adopts its budget.
    \17\ Certain exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act 
(``FOIA''), including the exemption for confidential financial 
information, may apply to some of the information provided to the 
Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

G. Definitions

    The rule defines certain terms that may arise in the discussion of 
budget matters. The definitions are generally consistent with Office of 
Management and Budget guidelines but have been adapted to apply to a 
private organization with the character and functions of the PCAOB.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ See generally, Office of Management and Budget Circular No. 
A-11, at ] 20.3 (June 2005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Administrative Procedure Act, Regulatory Flexibility Act, and 
Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Commission finds, in accordance with section 533(b)(3)(A) of 
the Administrative Procedure Act (``APA''),\19\ that this revision 
relates solely to agency organization, procedure or practice. It is, 
therefore, not subject to the provisions of the APA requiring notice 
and opportunity for public comment. The Regulatory Flexibility Act,\20\ 
therefore, does not apply. Similarly, because these rules relate to 
``agency organization, procedure or practice that does not 
substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-

[[Page 42001]]

agency parties,'' the Commission is not soliciting comments for 
purposes of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.\21\ 
The rules do not contain any collection of information requirements as 
defined by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A).
    \20\ 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
    \21\ 5 U.S.C. 804(3)(C).
    \22\ 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Costs and Benefits of the Amendments

    Taken as a whole, the Commission's rules of practice, such as 
Informal and Other Procedures, create governmental review and remedial 
processes. That is, they are procedural and administrative in nature. 
The benefits are the familiar benefits of due process: notice, 
opportunity to be heard, efficiency, and fairness. These benefits are 
particularly applicable to the current amendments because the 
timetable, procedural steps, and materials that are to be made 
available for Commission review should provide for a more meaningful 
dialogue between the Commission and the PCAOB and enhance the 
efficiency and fairness of the budget approval process. In addition, 
the PCAOB should benefit by beginning each fiscal year with an approved 
budget, rather than operating for the first few months of the year 
without such a budget.
    In general, the costs of the procedures in the Commission's rules 
of practice, including Informal and other Procedures, fall largely on 
the Commission. In this instance, the Act already requires the PCAOB 
each year to prepare and submit a budget to the Commission for 
approval. While we anticipate that in the coming years the PCAOB will 
devote more resources to the preparation of its budget, many of the 
cost increases in this area are inherent in the maturing nature of the 
organization and are not attributed solely to the adoption of the 
amendments. The implementation of a more detailed budget process and 
the preparation of the materials that would be submitted under the 
amendments, including quarterly updates on spending and staffing 
levels, are fundamental to the effective management of a mature 
organization. Further, conducting the budget preparation process over 
the period set forth in the new rule should make it a more efficient 
and effective process.
    As noted, the amendments set forth in this release relate to 
internal agency management, increase the efficiency of the Commission's 
approval process, and promote timely and meaningful communications 
between the Commission and the PCAOB.

V. Effect on Efficiency, Competition and Capital Formation

    Section 2(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 \23\ and Section 3(f) of 
the Exchange Act \24\ require us, when engaging in rulemaking that 
requires us to consider or determine whether an act is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, to consider whether the action will 
promote efficiency, competition, and capital formation. Section 
23(a)(2) of the Exchange Act \25\ prohibits us from adopting any rule 
that would impose a burden on competition not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 77b(b).
    \24\ 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \25\ 15 U.S.C. 78w(a)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The amendments are intended to facilitate the Commission's process 
for approving the PCAOB budget. The amendments increase the efficiency 
of the Commission's approval process. The rule applies only to the 
PCAOB, which is an organization established by Congress in the Act, and 
therefore the Commission does not expect the rule to have an anti-
competitive effect. Since there will be an increase in efficiency, 
there will not be any adverse impacts on capital formation.

VI. Statutory Basis and Text of Amendments

    These amendments to the Informal and Other Procedures are being 
adopted pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Commission, 
including section 19(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, sections 17 and 
23(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and sections 3(a) and 101 
through 109 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 202

    Administrative practice and procedure, Securities.

Text of the Amendment

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, Title 17, Chapter II of the 
Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 202--INFORMAL AND OTHER PROCEDURES

0
1. The general authority citation for part 202 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77s, 77t, 78d-1, 78u, 78w, 78ll(d), 79r, 
79t, 77sss, 77uuu, 80a-37, 80a-41, 80b-9, 80b-11, 7202 and 7211 et 
seq., unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *

0
2. Add Sec.  202.11 to read as follows:


Sec.  202.11  Public Company Accounting Oversight Board budget approval 
process.

    (a) Purpose. These procedures are established in connection with 
consideration and approval of the budget and the accounting support fee 
for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Actions 
attributed to the PCAOB in this section shall be performed as 
authorized by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the PCAOB's bylaws.
    (b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following 
definitions shall apply:
    (1) Budget category means a grouping of similar expenditures within 
the PCAOB's budget. Budget categories shall include, among others: 
personnel, training, recruiting and relocation expenses, information 
technology, consulting and professional fees, travel, administrative 
expenses, lease costs and related expenses, and capital improvements of 
facilities.
    (2) Budget justification means the justification for each annual 
budget, prepared in concise and specific terms, covering all of the 
PCAOB's programs and activities, and including, among other things as 
may be requested by the Commission:
    (i) A performance budget for the budget year;
    (ii) An analysis of the PCAOB's budget, including a tabular 
presentation that identifies the budgetary resources required for each 
program area (with a breakout of resources by budget category); a 
description of the budgetary resources identified in the budget in the 
context of the PCAOB's programs and activities; and an explanation of 
the analysis used to determine the resources needed to accomplish each 
program and strategic goal that demonstrates that reasonable 
opportunities for making more efficient and effective use of resources 
have been explored;
    (iii) A description of the relationship between the results or 
outcomes the PCAOB expects to achieve (as discussed in the PCAOB's 
strategic plan) and the resources requested in the budget;
    (iv) Assumptions underlying the calculation of the working capital 
reserve as permitted in paragraph (d)(3) of this section and 
assumptions underlying PCAOB estimates, including work years, program 
outputs, base compensation levels and proposed compensation increases, 
and costs of inputs such as materials or contract costs;
    (v) A discussion of any models used to develop PCAOB estimates;
    (vi) Detailed funding levels for education, training, and travel of 
the PCAOB workforce;

[[Page 42002]]

    (vii) Information sufficient for the Commission to assess current 
and proposed capital projects and information technology projects; and
    (viii) A statement that the PCAOB has considered relative costs and 
benefits in formulating the programs, projects and activities described 
in the budget.
    (3) Budget year means the PCAOB fiscal year that is the subject of 
the budget prepared and submitted by the PCAOB to the Commission for 
approval.
    (4) Current year means the PCAOB fiscal year that precedes the 
budget year, and is the year in which the PCAOB prepares the budget.
    (5) Performance budget means a budget that presents what the PCAOB 
proposes to accomplish in the budget year and what resources these 
proposals will require, and that serves as the primary basis for the 
justification of the budget submitted to the Commission for approval. 
The performance budget includes:
    (i) A description of what the PCAOB plans to accomplish, organized 
by strategic goal;
    (ii) Background on what the PCAOB has accomplished, organized by 
strategic goal;
    (iii) Analyses of the strategies the PCAOB uses to influence 
strategic outcomes, including whether those strategies could be 
improved and, if so, how they could be improved;
    (iv) Analyses of the programs that contribute to each goal and 
their relative roles and effectiveness;
    (v) Performance targets for the budget year and the current year 
and how the PCAOB expects to achieve those targets, as well as actual 
performance levels achieved in the year immediately preceding the 
current year;
    (vi) The budgetary resources the PCAOB is requesting to achieve 
those targets;
    (vii) Descriptions of the operations, processes, staff skills, 
information and other technologies, human resources, capital assets, 
and other resources to be used in achieving the PCAOB's performance 
goals; and
    (viii) Descriptions of the programs, policies, and management, 
regulatory, and other initiatives and approaches to be used in 
achieving the PCAOB's performance goals.
    (6) Preliminary budget means the draft budget submitted for initial 
consideration by the Commission, which shall be a complete or 
substantially complete budget for the budget year, and which is 
accompanied by a budget justification.
    (7) Program area means the array of the budgeted amounts and other 
budget-related data according to the major purpose served, such as 
registration, inspection, standard-setting, enforcement, and 
administration.
    (8) Receipts means collections that result from issuers' payments 
of accounting support fees; public accounting firms' payment of 
registration fees and fees associated with annual reports; interest 
income; and other sources of revenue.
    (9) Strategic plan means the PCAOB's overarching plan for 
accomplishing its strategic goals, including forecasts for the current 
and four following years; estimates of the effect that reasonably 
foreseeable changes impacting the auditing profession and securities 
markets could have on program levels; and a discussion of the impact 
that program levels and changes in methods of program delivery, 
including advances in technology, could have on program operations and 
administration.
    (10) Supplemental budget means a budget or amendment thereto 
submitted to the Commission for approval subsequent to Commission 
approval of the budget for the budget year, when:
    (i) There is a need for additional funds in a program area;
    (ii) Resources are to be applied in a manner not fairly implied in 
the Commission-approved budget and budget justification, such as when 
programs are created to perform functions that are not, or to perform 
functions in a way that is not, fairly implied from the Commission-
approved budget and budget justification; or
    (iii) Programs described in the Commission-approved budget and 
budget justification are to be eliminated.
    (c) Timetable. The timetable for preparation and submission of the 
annual budget is as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Date                                Event
------------------------------------------------------------------------
On or before March 15........  PCAOB provides a narrative of its program
                                issues and outlook for the budget year.
On or before April 30........  Commission provides economic assumptions
                                and general budgetary guidance to the
                                PCAOB.
On or before July 31.........  PCAOB submits preliminary budget and
                                budget justification for Commission
                                review.
August-October...............  Consultation between Commission and
                                PCAOB; Commission staff conducts review
                                of PCAOB preliminary budget, budget
                                justification and related information.
On or before October 31......  Commission passback of budget to the
                                PCAOB with proposed revisions.
On or before November 30.....  PCAOB adopts budget and submits it, along
                                with the budget justification, to the
                                Commission.
On or before December 23.....  Commission votes on the PCAOB budget.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Contents of budget. (1) To facilitate Commission review and 
approval, each budget (including each preliminary budget and budget 
submitted for Commission approval) shall:
    (i) Be accompanied by a budget justification.
    (ii) Include information for the budget year, the current year, and 
the year immediately preceding the current year, regarding actual or 
projected spending by program area, receipts, debt, and employment 
levels.
    (iii) Be consistent with, or explain any deviations from, the 
economic assumptions and budgetary guidance provided by the Commission.
    (iv) Include statements of PCAOB programs, initiatives and 
strategies for the budget year.
    (v) Earmark each amount for a specific budget category within a 
program area.
    (vi) Include planned beginning-of-year and end-of-year headcounts 
for each program area.
    (2) Each budget submitted for Commission approval shall be 
consistent with the preliminary budget and any revisions proposed by 
the Commission when the budget was passed from the Commission back to 
the PCAOB or explain any changes from the preliminary budget and/or 
such proposed revisions.
    (3) In addition to amounts needed to fund disbursements during the 
budget year, a budget may reflect receipts in amounts needed to fund 
expected disbursements during a period not to exceed the first five 
months of the fiscal year immediately following the budget year (the 
working capital reserve), provided such amounts shall be disbursed only 
as specified in the following year's budget or in a supplemental budget 
approved by the Commission.
    (4) In approving the budget the Commission may not change the 
amounts earmarked for programs, program areas, or activities, or any 
other aspects of the budget; provided, that if

[[Page 42003]]

the budget is conditionally rather than finally approved, then the 
Commission may transmit to the Board such proposed changes as are 
consistent with the preliminary budget and any revisions previously 
proposed by the Commission when it passed the budget back to the PCAOB. 
No proposed reduction or increase may be greater than that included in 
the preliminary budget and any revisions previously proposed by the 
Commission when it passed the budget back to the PCAOB.
    (5) In the event the budget is conditionally approved by the 
Commission, the PCAOB shall have the opportunity to consider the 
changes proposed by the Commission and to vote again for final approval 
of the budget as amended. If this iterative process has not resolved 
differences between the Commission and the PCAOB by December 23, then 
the terms of the most recent conditional approval shall become final, 
and the budget shall be deemed finally approved.
    (e) Limitation on spending. (1) The PCAOB shall not spend in a 
budget year more than the amount specified in the Commission-approved 
PCAOB budget for that year, regardless of the source of the funds, 
unless such expenses have been approved by the Commission through a 
supplemental budget request.
    (2) Funds may be disbursed by the PCAOB only in accordance with the 
Commission approved budget, provided however, during the budget year 
the PCAOB may transfer amounts totaling not more than $1,000,000 into 
or out of each program area without prior Commission approval. Further, 
the PCAOB shall not:
    (i) Apply its resources in a manner not fairly implied in the 
Commission-approved budget and budget justification, such as to create 
programs to perform functions that are not, or to perform functions in 
a way that is not, fairly implied from the Commission-approved budget 
and budget justification, or
    (ii) Eliminate programs described in the Commission-approved budget 
and budget justification.
    (3) In the event that the Commission has not approved a budget for 
a PCAOB fiscal year before the beginning of that fiscal year, the PCAOB 
may spend funds from the reserve and continue to incur obligations as 
if the PCAOB budget or supplemental budget most recently approved by 
the Commission were continuing in effect for that fiscal year.
    (f) Supplemental budget. (1) The PCAOB may submit to the Commission 
a request for approval of a supplemental budget subsequent to 
Commission approval of the budget for the budget year in order to spend 
any amounts in excess of, or contrary to, the limitations described in 
paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section.
    (2) To facilitate Commission review and approval, a supplemental 
budget shall include:
    (i) Detailed information regarding the impact of the supplemental 
budget on each affected program area, including costs by cost category, 
project or activity;
    (ii) A statement regarding how the supplemental budget facilitates 
the strategic and policy goals of the PCAOB;
    (iii) Information indicating why the amount was not included in the 
budget for the current year, including a description of any subsequent 
and unforeseen events or circumstances necessitating the supplemental 
budget request;
    (iv) Information indicating why the request should not or cannot be 
postponed until the next regular annual budget process; and
    (v) The proposed source for the funds, including any offsets to be 
made elsewhere in the PCAOB's programs and activities.
    (g) Maintenance of records; reports. (1) The PCAOB shall maintain, 
and make available to the Commission or Commission staff upon request, 
a strategic plan and records in reasonable detail that support each 
preliminary budget, budget, budget justification, supplemental budget 
and other report or communication in compliance with this section, 
including past and projected receipts, outlays, obligations, and 
employment levels.
    (2) The PCAOB is required to maintain and, within 30 business days 
after the end of each fiscal quarter, to furnish to the Commission a 
report of its spending and staffing levels for the quarter just ended, 
comparing those levels to the levels in the Commission approved budget.
    (h) Publication of budget. (1) Following submission of the PCAOB-
approved budget to the Commission, such budget and budget 
justification, subject to any applicable exemption under the Freedom of 
Information Act, shall be made available to the public. Neither the 
Commission nor the PCAOB shall publish a preliminary budget, budget, 
budget justification, or any underlying materials in connection 
therewith, until such time as the budget is approved by the PCAOB and 
submitted to the Commission for its approval.
    (2) Supplemental budgets shall be made public, following approval 
by the PCAOB and submission to the Commission, in the same manner as 
described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section.
    (3) The Commission-approved budget shall be made available to the 
public at the time of such approval.
    (i) Waivers of rule provisions. The Commission, in its discretion, 
may waive compliance with any provision of this Sec.  202.11.

    Dated: July 18, 2006.
    By the Commission.
Nancy Morris,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-6409 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
