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Newspaper Initial Audit Process
Once you've submitted your application for membership along with an initial audit deposit, the ABC Publisher Relations manager for your area will contact you to discuss the next steps.
Here's a general overview of the initial audit process:
- The newspaper will select the initial audit period. This is typically six months for daily newspapers and, for weekly newspapers, three months.
- The initial audit will then be scheduled within 90 days following the period you have selected.
- Next, you can expect an ABC audit manager to contact you with more specifics on your audit. They will work with auditors to conduct a records review with you or your staff. This preliminary meeting with an ABC auditor will help you prepare your records and systems for the audit process. It also helps the auditor get acquainted with the unique environment of your publication and its distribution process. The auditor may suggest some recommendations to optimize your audit experience before you confirm your audit schedule.
- The auditor(s) will return to assess your records and perform the audit.
- When the audit is completed, the auditor will submit their findings to ABC's central office for final review and preparation of your Initial Audit Report. The final draft will be sent to you for approval and sign-off by your publication's publisher.
- Once signed, the final Audit Report will be released within 24 hours (or one business day) of approval via ABC's eStatements online database.
- When the initial audit is released, your application is presented for approval to ABC's board of directors at its next scheduled meeting. A copy of your audit and a bulletin announcing your election to membership is then sent to ABC buyer members.
An initial audit gets the membership process started. This requires a deposit estimated on the size and scope of the audit to be conducted.
- Upon completion of your initial audit, a final reconciliation will be made in the form of either a refund or additional charges, depending on the differential between the efforts required to complete the audit versus the estimate.
After the initial audit is completed and released, your publication will be granted full newspaper membership status and will be moved to an annual membership schedule.
- Annual membership costs will then be invoiced quarterly for your annual audit deposit plus membership fees, based on your newspaper's circulation.
- Once your audit is released, ABC will grant you license(s) to the eStatements section of the ABC Web site where you can download Publisher's Statements and Audit Reports from ABC's comprehensive circulation database. This is automatically included with your membership fees.
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