(a) Definitions.      
        (1) Audit--The formal examination of a licensee's accounts, records, and/or business activities by designated employees or representatives of the Commission.       
        (2) Audit fieldwork--Includes, but is not limited to, the physical inspection of bingo premises, the observation of a bingo game, the inquiry of management and staff, the review of financial accounts, records or business processes, the assessment of the adequacy of any internal controls, or any other activity necessary to meet audit objectives.       
        (3) Licensee--Includes any individual, partnership, corporation, group, or entity licensed under the Bingo Enabling Act and any group of licensed authorized organizations operating under a unit agreement.       
      (b) Audit Determination.      
        (1) The purpose of an audit is to determine whether a licensee is, has been, and/or will remain in compliance with the Bingo Enabling Act and the Charitable Bingo Administrative Rules.       
        (2) Those licensees who are most at risk of violating the Bingo Enabling Act or the Charitable Bingo Administrative Rules will be identified for audit based on risk factors established by the Commission. Risk factors may be based on, among other things, a licensee's gross receipts, gross rentals, bingo expenses, net proceeds, and/or charitable distributions. An audit must commence by the fourth anniversary of the date a licensee is identified for audit.       
        (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Commission may audit any licensee if the Commission reasonably believes the licensee may violate, or may have violated, the Bingo Enabling Act or the Charitable Bingo Administrative Rules.       
      (c) Notification.      
        (1) If a licensee is selected for an audit pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, a Commission auditor will so notify that licensees bingo chairperson, director, business contact, officer, unit manager, or designated agent in writing. The written notification constitutes the beginning of the audit.       
        (2) The written notification will identify the time period to be audited and any records or other information that must be made available for Commission review. Various forms, including questionnaires and physical inventory requests, may be included with the written notification. Licensees must complete any forms in the manner, and in the time period, specified by the Commission.       
        (3) If the Commission does not receive a timely response to its initial request for records, it will provide the licensee with a second and final request to provide all records within ten (10) calendar days. The Commission will not examine any records that are sent after that deadline, and the licensee will be responsible for any audit findings involving the absence of those records.       
      (d) Entrance Conference.      
        (1) Within ten (10) calendar days of sending the written notification under subsection (c) of this section, an auditor will attempt to contact the selected licensee's bingo chairperson, director, business contact, officer, unit manager, or designated agent to schedule an audit entrance conference. Unless otherwise provided by the Commission, the audit entrance conference will be held within fourteen (14) calendar days from the auditors contact with the licensee. The licensee may submit a written request to the Commission to delay the audit entrance conference. The written request must include the reasons for the requested delay. After reviewing a properly submitted written request to delay, the Commission may either approve or deny the request or notify the licensee that additional information is needed before a decision is made. If the Commission and licensee are unable to agree on the date, time, and place of the audit entrance conference, or if the Commission auditor is unable to contact the licensee's bingo chairperson, director, business contact, officer, unit manager, or designated agent, the auditor shall schedule the audit entrance conference and send the licensee written notice of that fact at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the scheduled audit entrance conference.       
        (2) The purpose of an audit entrance conference is to allow the auditor(s) to meet with the selected licensee's bingo chairperson, director, business contact, officer, unit manager, or designated agent to collect any records or other information identified in the written notification under subsection (c) of this section, to discuss the audit process, and to answer any questions the licensee may have regarding the audit. There is no standard timeline by which an audit will be completed, but an audit must be completed within one year from the date of the entrance conference unless the Director extends the time period and notifies the licensee of the extension.       
        (3) The Commission may request the attendance at the audit entrance conference of any person familiar with the licensee's operations. In addition to any attendees requested by the Commission, the licensee may allow any other individuals to attend the audit entrance conference.       
      (e) Audit Fieldwork. Any time after the conclusion of the audit entrance conference, the auditor(s) may initiate and conduct the audit fieldwork at the licensee's business office, bingo premises, bookkeeper's office, or accountant's office; or, a location designated by the auditor(s). When conducting audit fieldwork, the auditor(s), at their discretion, may use a detailed auditing procedure or a sample and projection auditing method. A sample and projection auditing method may include, but is not limited to, manual sampling techniques, computer-assisted audit techniques, analytical procedures, financial projections, and auditor recompilation from reliable independent sources.     
      (f) Exit Conference.      
        (1) Any time after the completion of the audit fieldwork, an auditor will attempt to contact the selected licensee's bingo chairperson, director, business contact, officer, unit manager, or designated agent to schedule an audit exit conference. If the auditor and licensee are unable to agree on the date, time, and place of the audit exit conference, or if the auditor is unable to contact the licensees bingo chairperson, director, business contact, officer, unit manager, or designated agent, the auditor shall schedule the audit exit conference and send the licensee written notice of that fact at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the scheduled audit exit conference.       
        (2) The purpose of an audit exit conference is to allow the auditor(s) to meet with the selected licensee's bingo chairperson, director, business contact, officer, unit manager, or designated agent to discuss the results of the audit and the draft audit report.       
        (3) The Commission may request the attendance at the audit exit conference of any person familiar with the licensee's operations. In addition to any attendees requested by the Commission, the licensee may allow any other individuals to attend the audit exit conference.       
      (g) Audit Report.      
        (1) Upon completion of the audit, the auditor(s) will prepare a draft audit report containing their findings and conclusions. A copy of the draft audit report will be provided to the licensee at the audit exit conference. At least three (3) business days before the audit exit conference, but only to the extent it is practicable, the Commission will also send a copy of the draft audit report to one e-mail address or facsimile number associated with the licensee. The licensee must notify the Commission of the designated e-mail address or facsimile number by the end of the audit entrance conference if the licensee is to receive a copy of the draft audit report prior to the audit exit conference.       
        (2) A licensee may, but is not required to, respond to the draft audit report by providing written comments and any supporting documentation to the auditor(s) within twenty (20) calendar days of receiving the draft audit report. Written comments should include a statement of agreement or disagreement with the draft audit report findings and, if applicable, a list of any corrective measures that will be taken to ensure compliance with the Bingo Enabling Act and Charitable Bingo Administrative Rules. Any properly submitted comments and supporting documents will be reviewed by the auditor(s) and placed in the final audit report. The auditor(s) may revise the draft audit report in response to any properly submitted comments or supporting documents.       
        (3) Any time after the twenty (20) calendar day deadline, the auditor(s) may issue the final audit report. A copy of the report will be provided to the licensee.       
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §402.703 adopted to be effective January 1, 2014, 38 TexReg 9547; amended to be effective August 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 5505; amended to be effective October 22, 2020, 45 TexReg 7414