If your company hasn't paid its "accounting support fee" to the new accounting oversight board, you may want to talk to the accounts payable department.

According to PCAOB rules, a public accounting firm cannot sign an unqualified audit opinion with respect to an issuer's financial statements if the issuer has "an outstanding past-due share of the accounting support fee."

There are exceptions, but issuers may want to download the "FAQ" below regarding payment of accounting support fees.

Coincidentally, the PCAOB is meeting today (Nov. 25) to consider its 2004 fiscal year budget. The budget, minus the accounting firm registration fees collected in 2003, will form the basis for the annual assessment of fees on public companies.

That PCAOB FAQ is below:

  FAQ: Confirmation of Payment of Accounting Support Fees

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