Broadcasting Participation Fund Inc. Andre Auger, CPA, CGA, CFE Costs Officer and CEO Welch LLP – Chartered Accountants November 2014
Agenda Corporate Statement of Purpose Tasks of the Costs Officer BPF Value Proposition Risk Management Some Statistics
Corporate Statement of Purpose The purpose of the BPF: Provide costs support to public interest groups and consumer groups representing non-commercial user interests and the public interest before the CRTC Provide efficient and accessible service in English and French
Tasks of the Costs Officer Institution Building: Define the mission and vision of the BPF Develop cost award policies, processes, procedures, and funding criteria Develop official Fund documents and forms Create the Fund website General and Active Management: Manage the Fund bank account Receive and review claims, and prepare recommendations for the BPF Board of Directors Communicate BPF decisions to applicants Maintain proper application records
BPF Value Proposition Quality and Professionalism - compliance with CPA Canada standards - quality assurance regime - annual audit Timely service - turnaround time in 2013 was days - in 2014, days Engaging the Community - maintain ongoing communication with applicants Transparency - all cost awards decisions, the audited F/S, the annual report, all posted on the Fund website
Risk Management Key risks are: Claimants’ expectations incompatible with the mandate and services offered by the Fund - conduct information exchange meetings with key groups - understand the objectives of the claimants Independence / credibility - all policies, procedures, forms, and processes aligned with the CRTC telecommunications sector - adhere to professional assurance and auditing standards Risk of increased operating costs - closely manage operating costs Length of existence of the Fund
Statistics Fund net assets - at December 31, 2013 = $4.5M, composed of original contribution of $3M from BCE and a receivable of the next $2M contribution, minus operating costs - the $2M to be received in 7 installments from 2014 to at October 31, 2014 = approx. $4.2M Operating costs for 2013 = 557K - includes cost awards of $331K Cost awards for 2013: - 21 claims from 10 applicants for $355, paid claims = $330, denied claims = $21,693
Statistics – cont’d Cost awards for claims to date from 13 applicants for $754, paid claims = $397, denied claims = $31, claims in process = $321,344 (Let’s Talk TV) Operating costs for 2014 to date = $928K - includes $755K of cost awards