All entities applying for a Certificate of Authority must file financial statements with the Board. Information in the financial statements must be accurate and contain all relevant notes and disclosures appropriate to the accounting basis used. The financial statements must be signed by the Certificate Holder or Applicant and if prepared by a certified public accountant or public accountant, by the accountant. The financial statements shall be one of the following:
- Financial statements accompanied by a compilation, review or audit report from a licensed certified public accountant prepared in conformity with GAAP. The financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP that are consolidated must include supplementary consolidating schedules to provide supporting detail for each consolidated financial statements presented.
OR
- Financial statements in the form furnished by the Board. The financial statements form developed by the Board reflects a basis of accounting adopted by the Board as an alternative to GAAP reporting. This alternative basis differs from the measurements and disclosures required by GAAP in the following respects:
- GAAP requires consolidation of certain equity investments and of variable interest entities under FIN 46(R), entitled Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. The Board requires that only the primary reporting entity’s accounts and activities be reported. Investment in trusts are to be marked-to-market as of the financial statement date. Closely-held investments should be recorded using the equity method.
- Deferred revenue for preneed contracts incurred prior to May 1, 2002 (the Act’s effective date), is to be equal to the current cost of providing the preneed services and merchandise.
- A noncurrent receivable is to be recorded for the face amount of life insurance policies used to fund preneed contracts, with the offset being a credit to deferred revenue.
Financial Statement-XLS – The Board Form (Excel Spreadsheet)
Financial Statement-PDF – The Board Form (PDF)
The financial statements submitted by the Certificate Holder or Applicant for a Certificate of Authority must demonstrate the entity’s ability to discharge its liabilities as they become due in the normal course of business, and that it has sufficient funds available to perform its obligations under any existing preneed contracts.
The financial statement of an Applicant or Certificate Holder (in the case of annual renewals) must demonstrate the following levels of equity determined on the basis of the accounting method used in the financial statement:
- An Applicant or Certificate Holder with total preneed deferred revenue of $100,000 or less must have a minimum of $10,000 equity.
- An Applicant or Certificate Holder with total preneed deferred revenue of $100,001 to $1,000,000 must have equity in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the total preneed deferred revenue.
- An Applicant or Certificate Holder with total preneed deferred revenue in excess of $1,000,000 must have a minimum of $100,000 equity.
If, based on the accounting method used in its financial statement, the Applicant or Certificate Holder does not meet the minimum equity requirements, then the Applicant or Certificate Holder may voluntarily submit to the Board additional evidence or enter into written agreements intended to demonstrate its ability to meet the requirements of ALA. CODE § 34-13-191, and as a condition for receiving and/or retaining a Certificate of Authority. The Board, in its discretion, may issue or renew a Certificate of Authority if the Board determines based on such additional information or agreement(s) that the Applicant or Certificate Holder meets the requirements of ALA. CODE § 34-13-191, in which even the Certificate may be expressly conditioned on satisfactory continued compliance with any and all terms or conditions set forth in any agreement(s) entered into by the person or entity receiving the certificate.