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]

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          Subpart D--Manufacturing by Bell Operating Companies