Sec.  53.213   Audit analysis and evaluation.

   (a)  Within  60  dates after the end of the audit period, but prior to
   discussing  the  audit findings with the Bell operating company or the
   separate affiliate, the independent auditor shall submit a draft of the
   audit report to the Federal/State joint audit team.

   (1) The Federal/State joint audit team shall have 45 days to review the
   audit  findings  and  audit  workpapers, and offer its recommendations
   concerning the conduct of the audit or the audit findings to the independent
   auditor. Exceptions of the Federal/State joint audit team to the finding and
   conclusions of the independent auditor that remain unresolved shall be
   included in the final audit report.

   (2) Within 15 days after receiving the Federal/State joint audit team's
   recommendations and making appropriate revisions to the audit report, the
   independent auditor shall submit the audit report to the Bell operating
   company  for its response to the audit findings and send a copy to the
   Federal/State  joint  audit  team. The independent auditor may request
   additional time to perform additional audit work as recommended by the
   Federal/State joint audit team.

   (b) Within 30 days after receiving the audit report, the Bell operating
   company will respond to the audit findings and send a copy of its response
   to the Federal/State joint audit team. The Bell operating company's response
   shall be included as part of the final audit report along with any reply
   that the independent auditor wishes to make to the response.

   (c)  Within 10 days after receiving the response of the Bell operating
   company, the independent auditor shall make available for public inspection
   the  final audit report by filing it with the Commission and the state
   regulatory agencies participating on the joint audit team.

   (d) Interested parties may file comments with the Commission within 60 days
   after the audit report is made available for public inspection.

   [ 62 FR 2927 , Jan. 21, 1997]

Subpart D—Manufacturing by Bell Operating Companies