Audit Bureau of Circulations

AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION

ANNEXURE (1)

CHECK-LIST TO BE PREPARED BY PUBLISHER AUDITOR
(To be printed on Auditor's letter-head)

[DAILY & WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS]
Specimen Copy

Publisher Auditor's notings

Name of Publication:

Place of publishing / printing:

1. PRINTING DETAILS

Date of press & market visit:
Date of audit of publishers books and records:
Name & Address of all printing press/s, locations (with telephone & fax numbers)
Normal printing schedule:
Mechanical Details:
- Make of printing machine/s:
- Installed Printing capacity:
- Average running speed of the machine
- Number of printing Units:
- Make of Newsprint used:
- GSM used:
- Size of the page:
- Average number of pages per issue:
Print Order:
- Print Order verified (number of copies)
- Issue Date:
- Whether print order was available at the press before the commencement of printing.
- Whether Machine Room Returns are prepared at the Press alongwith the prescribed details as mentioned in the Guide to ABC Audit at the time of printing.
- Whether printing capacity is adequate to accomplish the print order within the normal printing time schedule.
Despatch:
- Whether despatch labels and despatch records are maintained and available at the press.
In case of Outside Printing Press:
- Whether printer’s bills showing number of copies printed as well as records relating to Printer’s statement of Newsprint Stocks supplied and consumption upto the previous issue were available.

2. COVER PRICE, TRADE COMMISSION & ALLOWANCES, SUPPLIES AND PAYMENTS FROM THE TRADE:

Cover price (to mention all cover prices in a week)
To provide the details of commission and allowances as percentage of the cover price of the publication as under:
Ave. copies
Trade Commission
%
To provide details of any incentive schemes for the trade along with valuation of gifts / inducement etc. (scheme to be attached duly translated in English.
Whether advance written indents / subsequent confirmation / monthly confirmations / statement of account confirmation from agents are regularly obtained in support of copies supplied to them and are available for verifications. (Details to be provided as per Annexure 1 (a)).
Whether cash payments or payments received through demand drafts from agents are duly supported by documentary evidence such as payment advices / correspondence etc. from agents. (Details to be provided as per Annexure 1(a)).

3. PRINCIPAL AGENCY:

Whether books and records pertaining to agent(s) distributing more than 20% of the total sales subject to a minimum of 25,000 copies are available for verification and whether all records are maintained by the principal agent as per the prescribed guidelines.

4. UNSOLDS:

Whether unsolds are accepted by the Publisher and appropriate credit note issued to the agent?
If not whether copies are supplied against agents advance indents?

5. BANKING OF CASH COLLECTIONS:

- if not, instances to be detailed date wise.

6. NEWSPRINT RECORDS:

Whether quantitative record of newsprint stocks and consumption as well as wastage is maintained and available for verification.
On physical verification of newsprint stocks on hand being carried out, whether newsprint stocks as per the publisher’s books and records reconciled with the stocks on hand.
Whether documentary evidence in the form of Supplier’s Invoices, transport receipts, octroi payments and other relevant documents for Newsprint purchases are regularly maintained and available for verification.
Whether publisher is regular in settlement of newsprint purchase bills. If not, details to be provided for the credit period normally available to the publisher. Instances to be detailed when payments to newsprint suppliers were not made over and above the credit period.

7. BOOKS AND RECORDS:

Whether the following books and records are regularly maintained and available for verification : (Date upto which completed to be provided):
Cash Book
Bank Book
Bank Reconciliation Statement
Ledger
Supplier’s Ledger
Newsprint Stocks Register
Newsprint Supplier’s Register
Agents’ Ledger
Subscription Records
Credit Notes

8. SUBSCRIPTION COPIES (including institutional subscription):

To confirm whether the publisher’s subscription scheme /s are in line with the existing Bureau’s guidelines. Details of subscription schemes to be provided (scheme to be attached duly translated in English)
Valuation of gifts provided to a subscriber to be stated and other details to be provided (as per Annexure 1(b).)

9. READERS SCHEME:

Whether any promotion schemes for readers was in force. Please provide full details together with a copy of the scheme duly translated in English.
Impact of the scheme on Average Qualifying Circulation to be ascertained with reasons.
Gifts / incentives offered to readers to be valued as per prescribed guidelines.

10. COMBO OFFERS:

Whether the combo offer(s) for readers was in force. Please provide the full details of combo offers. _____ publ. plus __________ publ. @ …………. combo price.

11. Qualifying Sales:

Please qualify during the immediate preceding week of the audit undertaken such issues sold to the trade at Net price which is higher than the Net Realisation Rate (NRR)*
Also qualify during the immediate preceding week of the audit undertaken such issues sold to the trade at Net price which is lower than the Net Realisation Rate (NRR) in the below mentioned format:

Issue date P.O. Qualifying Sales Non-qualifying Sales

(*Net Realisation Rate (NRR) is the term used for value of newspaper in waste computed on the basis of waste rate per kg. as fixed by the Council from time to time).
Net sale price to the dealer is the net price at which a newspaper is sold to the dealer calculated at cover price of the publication less applicable trade commission, delivery charges or by whatever name called

Date:

Signature & Rubber Stamp (Seal)
of Publisher Auditor

<< Back to Index || << Back || Next >>