Rules & ResourcesNewspaper Support Center
Reporting Format Modifications
U.S. Newspapers Only
Returns Accounting
For the accounting of Monday thru Saturday returns, a newspaper will have two options: weighted average or actual returns. Sunday returns must always be applied to a Sunday.
Once a newspaper decides on a returns accounting approach, changes to this approach cannot be made prior to the review and approval of your ABC Audit Manager.
Weighted Average
This term is used to reference the allocation of returns for Monday thru Saturday, by pro-rating total returns for the weekdays using the percentage of draw each of the weekdays represents. This allocation may be made on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis.
The following is an illustration of how returns should be applied using this method:
Assumptions:
Allocation made on a weekly basis.
Total Returns for Monday thru Saturday = 47,000
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | TOTAL | |
| Draw | 56,000 | 57,000 | 61,000 | 65,000 | 78,000 | 51,000 | 368,000 |
| % of total | 15.2% | 15.5% | 16.6% | 17.7% | 21.1% | 13.9% | 100.0% |
| Returns collected | 47,000 | ||||||
| Apply % | 7,144 | 7,285 | 7,802 | 8,319 | 9,917 | 6,533 | 47,000 |
| Net Circ | 48,856 | 49,715 | 53,198 | 56,681 | 68,803 | 44,467 | 321,000 |
Actual Returns
This term is used to reference the method of accounting where the returns received for any day can be applied directly to the specific day(s) of the week each return copy represents.
Use of this method will require additive recordkeeping and verification by ABC to ensure the returns are being applied to the correct date and day-of-week. As such, this will result in additional audit procedures and efforts.