[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 10, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11366-11367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5357]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Quarterly Financial Report

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 10, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Yolando M. St. George, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 
1282-3, Washington, DC 20233, Telephone (301) 763-6600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) Program is planning to 
resubmit for approval to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) its 
four data collection forms: Quarterly Financial Report Forms QFR-101 
(MG)--long form (Sent quarterly to Manufacturing, Mining, and Wholesale 
Trade corporations with assets of $50 million or more at time of 
sampling), QFR-102 (TR)--long form (Sent quarterly to Retail Trade 
corporations with assets of $50 million or more at time of sampling), 
QFR-101A (MG)--short form (Sent quarterly to Manufacturing corporations 
with assets of less than $50 million at time of sampling), and QFR-103 
(NB)--Nature of Business Report (Sent at the beginning of sampling 
selection and at 2-year intervals if the corporation is included in the 
sample for more than eight quarters). The current expiration for these 
forms is July 31, 2004.
    The QFR Program has published up-to-date aggregate statistics on 
the financial results and position of U.S. corporations since 1947. It 
is a principal economic indicator that also provides financial data 
essential to calculation of key Government measures of national 
economic performance. The importance of this data collection is 
reflected by the granting of specific authority to conduct the program 
in Title 13 of the United States Code, Section 91, which requires that 
financial statistics of business operations be collected and published 
quarterly. Public Law 105-252 extended the authority of the Secretary 
of Commerce to conduct the QFR Program under Section 91 through 
September 30, 2005.

[[Page 11367]]

    The current scope of the QFR includes corporations in the Mining, 
Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade, and Retail Trade sectors. The main 
purpose of the QFR is to provide timely, accurate data on business 
financial conditions for use by Government and private-sector 
organizations and individuals. An extensive subscription mailing list 
attests to the diverse groups using these data including foreign 
countries, universities, financial analysts, unions, trade 
associations, public libraries, banking institutions, and U.S. and 
foreign corporations. The primary users are U.S. Governmental 
organizations charged with economic policymaking responsibilities. 
These organizations play a major role in providing guidance, advice, 
and support to the QFR Program.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will primarily use mail out/mail back survey 
forms to collect data. Companies will be asked to respond to the survey 
within 25 days of the end of the quarter for which the data are being 
requested, except for form QFR-103 (NB) which is due 30 days after 
receipt by the companies. Letters and/or telephone calls encouraging 
participation will be directed to respondents that have not responded 
by the designated time. The QFR Program introduced the use of computer 
readable medium for optional use as a substitute for the paper form to 
all companies filing long forms QFR-101 (MG) and QFR-102 (TR). The 
Computerized Self-Administered Questionnaire (CSAQ) is an electronic 
version of the data collection form. It provides the data provider with 
interactive edits making it possible to identify potential reporting 
problems before submission, thus reducing the need for follow-up. The 
CSAQ can be completed and submitted electronically via the Internet or 
by returning the CSAQ by mail for electronic data capture. During the 
next year a CSAQ short form will be developed and made available to 
companies filing the QFR-101A (MG).

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0432.
    Form Number: QFR-101 (MG), QFR-102 (TR), QFR-101A (MG), and QFR-103 
(NB).
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Manufacturing corporations with assets of $250 
thousand or more and Mining, and Wholesale and Retail Trade 
corporations with assets of $50 million or more.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
    Form QFR-101 (MG)--3,976 per quarter =15,904 annually
    Form QFR-102 (TR)--490 per quarter = 1,960 annually
    Form QFR-101A (MG)--4,231 per quarter = 16,924 annually
    Form QFR-103 (NB)--1,414 per quarter = 5,656 annually
    Total 40,444 annually
Estimated Time Per Response:
    Form QFR-101 (MG)--Average hours 3.0
    Form QFR-102 (TR)--Average hours 3.0
    Form QFR-101A (MG)--Average hours 1.2
    Form QFR-103 (NB)--Average hours 2.4
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 85,000 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $2.0 million.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Sections 91 and 224.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 5, 2004.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-5357 Filed 3-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P