[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 178 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46527-46528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19880]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange

[[Page 46528]]

Commission, Office of FOIA Services, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 
20549-2736

Extension:
    Rule 17Ad-13, SEC File No. 270-263; OMB Control No. 3235-0275

    Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (``PRA'') (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collection of 
information provided for in Rule 17Ad-13 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-13). The 
Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to 
the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') for extension and 
approval.
    Rule 17Ad-13 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-13) requires an annual study and 
evaluation of internal accounting controls under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.). It requires approximately 
100 registered transfer agents to obtain an annual report on the 
adequacy of their internal accounting controls from an independent 
accountant. In addition, transfer agents must maintain copies of any 
reports prepared pursuant to Rule 17Ad-13 plus any documents prepared 
to notify the Commission and appropriate regulatory agencies in the 
event that the transfer agent is required to take any corrective 
action. These recordkeeping requirements assist the Commission and 
other regulatory agencies with monitoring transfer agents and ensuring 
compliance with the rule. Small transfer agents are exempt from Rule 
17Ad-13 as are transfer agents that service only their own companies' 
securities.
    Approximately 100 independent, professional transfer agents must 
file the independent accountant's report annually. We estimate that the 
annual internal time burden for each transfer agent to comply with Rule 
17Ad-13 by submitting the report prepared by the independent accountant 
to the Commission is minimal. The time required for the independent 
accountant to prepare the accountant's report varies with each transfer 
agent depending on the size and nature of the transfer agent's 
operations. The Commission estimates that, on average, each report can 
be completed by the independent accountant in 120 hours, resulting in a 
total of 12,000 external hours annually (120 hours x 100 reports). The 
burden was estimated using Commission review of filed Rule 17Ad-13 
reports and Commission conversations with transfer agents and 
accountants. The Commission estimates that, on average, 120 hours are 
needed to perform the study, prepare the report, and retain the 
required records on an annual basis. Assuming an average hourly rate of 
an independent accountant of $60, the average total annual cost of the 
report is $7,200. The total annual cost for the approximate 100 
respondents is approximately $720,000.
    Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the performance of the 
functions of the agency, including whether the information will have 
any practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden imposed by the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 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. Consideration will 
be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 
days of this publication.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    Please direct your written comments to: Pamela Dyson, Director/
Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o 
Candace Kenner, 100 F Street NE, Washington DC 20549, or send an email 
to: [email protected].

    Dated: September 7, 2018.
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-19880 Filed 9-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P