Notice of Development of Rulemaking

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Securities
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
69W-300.002: Financial Statements and Reports
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Chapter 2006-213, Laws of Florida, contains amendments to Chapter 517, Florida Statutes, relating to the Florida Securities and Investors Protection Act. This law contains a number of provisions relating to the licensing and regulatory functions of the Office of Financial Regulation. Among other things, the law amends provisions concerning licensing, notice filings, and other regulatory provisions in the area of securities regulation. The proposed rules implement and reflect the statutory changes. In particular, the proposed rules provide that financial statements must be prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Florida Securities and Investors Protection Act.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 517.03 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 517.081, 517.12 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Pam Epting, Bureau Chief, Office of Financial Regulation, 200 East Gaines Street, 6th Floor, The Fletcher Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0375, (850)410-9805

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

69W-300.002 Financial Statements and Reports.

(1) All financial statements required for registration of securities, or registration of dealers and investment advisers, shall be prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, as promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Financial statements required to be prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X together with the Accounting Series Releases, pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, will be acceptable to the Office of Financial Regulation unless otherwise required by these rules.

(2) Definitions:

(a) No change.

(b) “Financial Statements and Reports” shall be defined as those reports, schedules and statements, prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, which contain at least the following information unless the context otherwise dictates:

1. Statement of Financial Condition or Balance Sheet;

2. Statement of Income;

3. Statement of Changes in Financial Position;

4. Statement of Changes in Stockholder’s/Partner’s/ Proprietor’s Equity;

5. Statement of Changes in Liabilities Subordinated to Claims of General Creditors.

(c) No change.

(d) “Unaudited Financial Statements” shall be defined as those financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, not accompanied by the statements and representations as set forth in subparagraphs (2)(a)2., 3. and 4. of this rule, and shall include an oath or affirmation that such statement or report is true and correct to the best knowledge, information, and belief of the person making such oath or affirmation; such oath or affirmation shall be made before a person authorized to administer such oath or affirmation, and shall be made by a duly authorized representative of the entity for whom the financial statements were prepared.

(3) through (5) No change.

(6) Requirements for Securities Registration.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) For purposes of Rule 69W-700.005, F.A.C., Individual General Partners shall submit an unaudited sheet which conforms to United States generally accepted accounting principles. Such balance sheet should be prepared on a cost basis. A two-column presentation showing both cost in the first column paralleled by a second column presenting estimated values will also be acceptable. However, the Office of Financial Regulation will not base the net worth computation on estimated values unless satisfactory evidence of the estimated values is presented to the Office of Financial Regulation.

(7) No change.

Specific Authority 517.03 FS. Law Implemented 517.081, 517.12 FS. History–New 12-5-79, Amended 9-20-82, Formerly 3E-300.02, Amended 6-28-93, 11-22-93, 12-24-95, 9-19-00, 10-30-03, Formerly 3E-300.002, Amended__________.