Another kind of audit

Journal Article · Thu Oct 13 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Public Util. Fortn.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7288680

Rudden, R J

A new kind of audit to examine the rate-making function of both the utility management and the regulatory commissions is proposed as a way to improve the process and benefit both the utilities and their customers and remove some of the adversary aspects of the commissions. While regulatory commissions have looked after the interests of the consuming public, it is not clear that this approach has benefitted the investing public. The proposal calls for three levels of investigation: (1) regulation, to evaluate structural, personnel, and procedural workings of the commission; (2) corporate policy, strategy, and planning, to evaluate the level of stability, quality of earnings, and service performance; and (3) corporate organization, to evaluate the departmental performance of those providing information pertinent to rate and regulatory functions. These departments include rate design, accounting and financial analysis, planning and forecasting, marketing, and public and customer relations. The justification for this broadened approach is its changed emphasis over current management audits in the use of internal audits for both the regulatory and utility managements. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 7288680
• Journal Information: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States), Journal Name: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States) Vol. 100:8; ISSN PUFNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
ACCOUNTING
CHARGES
CONSUMER PROTECTION
ECONOMIC POLICY
ENERGY POLICY
FORECASTING
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT
PERFORMANCE
PERSONNEL
PLANNING
PUBLIC RELATIONS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
REGULATIONS