EX-2 3 usgaap.htm RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO US GAAP Q1 2008 RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO UNITED STATES GAAP - BCE First Quarter 2008

EXHIBIT 2

RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO UNITED STATES GAAP

We, our and BCE means BCE Inc., its subsidiaries and joint ventures.

Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). This reconciliation of Canadian GAAP to United States GAAP should be read in conjunction with our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2008. We believe that this reconciliation reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods shown. Material differences between Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP are quantified and described below:

 

1


Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the three months ended March 31

   

(in $ millions, except share amounts) (unaudited)

2008 2007

Earnings from continuing operations - Canadian GAAP

289 529

Differences

   

Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization

   

Leases (i)

(5) -

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   

Deferred costs (a)

- (1)

Employee benefit plans (b)

7 6

Amortization expense

   

Deferred costs (a)

2 3

Capitalized interest (g)

(18) (16)

Leases (i)

4 -

Other income (expense)

   

Income from joint venture (d)

- 2

Sale of businesses (f)

- (4)

Interest expense

   

Capitalized interest (g)

26 26

Income taxes

   

Tax effect of the above items

(4) (6)

Unrecognized tax benefits (h)

(18) (45)

Non-controlling interest

(1) -

Earnings from continuing operations - U.S. GAAP

282 494

Discontinued operations - Canadian GAAP

- -

Difference (f)

- (4)

Discontinued operations U.S. GAAP

- (4)

Net earnings - U.S. GAAP

282 490

Dividends on preferred shares - Canadian and U.S. GAAP

(31) (30)

Net earnings applicable to common shares - U.S. GAAP

251 460

Net earnings per common share - basic, U.S. GAAP

   

Continuing operations

0.31 0.57

Discontinued operations

- -

Net earnings

0.31 0.57

Net earnings per common share - diluted, U.S. GAAP

   

Continuing operations

0.31 0.57

Discontinued operations

- -

Net earnings

0.31 0.57
 

2


Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the three months ended March 31

   

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2008 2007

Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes and non-controlling interest -

   

Canadian GAAP

50 279

Difference

   

Benefit plans (b) (c)

(4) (13)

Other comprehensive income - U.S. GAAP

46 266

Net earnings - U.S. GAAP

282 490

Comprehensive income - U.S. GAAP

328 756
 

Consolidated Statements of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

 March 31,  December 31,

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2008 2007

Currency translation adjustment

(5) (4)

Available-for-sale financial assets and derivatives designated as cash flow hedges (e)

125 74

Benefit plans (b) (c)

   

Net actuarial losses

(1,025) (1,025)

Net past service costs

73  77

Net transitional obligations

2 2

Accumulated other comprehensive loss - U.S. GAAP

(830) (876)
 

3


Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

March 31, December 31,

 

2008   2007

 

Canadian   U.S. Canadian   U.S.

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

GAAP Differences GAAP GAAP Differences GAAP

ASSETS

           

Current assets

           

Cash and cash equivalents

2,481 - 2,481 2,657 - 2,657

Accounts receivable

2,010 - 2,010 1,940 - 1,940

Future income taxes

95 - 95 71 - 71

Inventory

280 - 280 266 - 266

Prepaid expenses

439 - 439 277 - 277

Current assets of discontinued operations

2 - 2 1 - 1

Total current assets

5,307 - 5,307 5,212 - 5,212

Capital assets

           

Property, plant and equipment (i) (g)

18,387 549 18,936 18,600 537 19,137

Finite-life intangible assets (a) (g)

2,674 47 2,721 2,491 47 2,538

Indefinite-life intangible assets

2,954 - 2,954 2,913 - 2,913

Total capital assets

24,015 596 24,611 24,004 584 24,588

Other long-term assets (l)

2,898 (1,222) 1,676 2,952 (1,211) 1,741

Goodwill (f)

5,740 64 5,804 5,907 64 5,971

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

6 - 6 6 - 6

Total assets

37,966 (562) 37,404 38,081 (563) 37,518

LIABILITIES

           

Current liabilites

           

Accounts payable and accrued liabilites

2,774 - 2,774 3,291 - 3,291

Interest payable

172 - 172 145 - 145

Dividends payable

337 - 337 337 - 337

Debt due within one year (i) (k)

737 (4) 733 717 (7) 710

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

- - - 2 - 2

Total current liabilities

4,020 (4) 4,016 4,492 (7) 4,485

Long-term debt (e) (i) (k)

10,622 25 10,647 10,621 36 10,657

Other long-term liabilities (l)

4,989 14 5,003 4,633 (5) 4,628

Total liabilities

19,631 35 19,666 19,746 24 19,770

Non-controlling interest

1,087 (347) 740 1,103 (348) 755

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

           

Preferred shares

2,770 - 2,770 2,770 - 2,770

Common shareholders’ equity

           

Common shares (j)

13,537 (65) 13,472 13,536 (65) 13,471

Contributed surplus (f)

2,538 (1,540) 998 2,537 (1,540) 997

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

118 (948) (830) 68 (944) (876)

(Deficit) retained earnings

(1,715) 2,303 588 (1,679) 2,310 631

Total common shareholders’ equity

14,478 (250) 14,228 14,462 (239) 14,223

Total shareholders’ equity

17,248 (250) 16,998 17,232 (239) 16,993

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

37,966 (562) 37,404 38,081 (563) 37,518
 

4


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the three months ended March 31

   

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2008 2007

Cash flows from operating activities - Canadian GAAP

894 968

Differences

   

Deferred costs (a)

- 1

Capitalized interest (g)

26 26

Income from joint venture (d)

- 4

Cash flows from operating activities - U.S. GAAP

920 999

Cash flows used in investing activities - Canadian GAAP

(602) (876)

Differences

   

Deferred costs (a)

- (1)

Capitalized interest (g)

(26) (26)

Cash flows used in investing activities - U.S. GAAP

(628) (903)

Cash flows used in financing activities - Canadian and U.S. GAAP

(466) (565)

Cash flows used in continuing operations - U.S. GAAP

(174) (469)

Cash flows used in discontinued operations activities - U.S. GAAP (d)

(1) (1)

Cash flows used in discontinued investing activities - U.S. GAAP

- (4)

Cash flows from discontinued financing activities - U.S. GAAP

- 3

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(175) (471)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

2,657 581

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

2,482 110

Consists of:

   

Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations

2,481 104

Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations

1 6

Total

2,482 110
 

5


DESCRIPTION OF UNITED STATES GAAP DIFFERENCES

All amounts are in millions of Canadian dollars, except where noted.

(a) Deferred Costs

Under Canadian GAAP, certain expenses, such as development costs and pre-operating expenses, are deferred and amortized if they meet specified criteria. Under United States GAAP, these costs must be expensed as incurred.

(b) Employee Benefit Plans

Under United States GAAP, we recognize the funded status of benefit plans in the balance sheet by aggregating overfunded plans separately from underfunded plans and recording the resulting amounts as an asset and a liability, respectively. We also recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the actuarial gains or losses and past service costs or credits that arise during the period. Under Canadian GAAP, these amounts are not recorded on the balance sheet until the period in which they affect earnings.

Also, under Canadian GAAP, we recognize a pension valuation allowance for any excess of the accrued benefit asset over the related expected future benefit. Changes in the pension valuation allowance are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. United States GAAP does not permit pension valuation allowances. Differences also arise from the use of the corridor method to amortize actuarial gains and losses for Canadian GAAP purposes.

(c) Post-Employment Benefits

In 2007, we announced the phase-out of other post-employment benefits for future retirees over the next 10 years. Under Canadian GAAP, this plan amendment reduces the unamortized transitional obligation and increases past service credits amortized over the expected average remaining service lives (EARSL) of affected employees. Under United States GAAP, this plan amendment was reflected as an increase in other comprehensive income (loss) of $209 million.

(d) Income from Joint Ventures

Under Canadian GAAP, we account for our interests in joint ventures using the proportionate consolidation method. Under United States GAAP, these interests would be accounted for using the equity method. This difference is not reflected in our United States GAAP reconciliation for those joint venture interests that qualify for the accommodation provided by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Our joint venture interests accounted for using the proportionate consolidation method are not material to our financial position or results of operations.

 

6


DESCRIPTION OF UNITED STATES GAAP DIFFERENCES

(e) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Under Canadian GAAP, foreign-currency derivatives embedded in a non-financial instrument host contract are not bifurcated and separately accounted for when specified conditions are met. Differences may also arise with respect to the measurement of hedge ineffectiveness recorded in earnings.

(f) Sale of Businesses, Business Combinations and Goodwill

Under Canadian GAAP, certain business combinations have been accounted for at the carrying value of the underlying assets and liabilities exchanged, whereas under United States GAAP such transactions were recorded on a fair value basis. Also, differences between Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP may cause corresponding differences in the carrying values of the net assets of disposed businesses, including those classified as discontinued operations. Changes in our ownership interest in these businesses will cause a corresponding difference in any resulting gains or losses.

BCE’s ownership interest in Bell Aliant was reduced through a distribution of trust units by way of a return of capital to holders of BCE Inc. common shares on July 10, 2006. This distribution resulted in an increase in contributed surplus of $1,547 million for Canadian GAAP. For United States GAAP purposes, the distribution of trust units is deemed to have occurred at fair value, with the resulting gain recognized in earnings. Therefore, the increase in contributed surplus under Canadian GAAP, adjusted for previously existing United States and Canadian GAAP differences, was recorded as a gain on distribution of trust units in earnings from continuing operations for United States GAAP purposes.

(g) Capitalized Interest

Under Canadian GAAP, we capitalize interest for significant assets under construction. Under United States GAAP borrowing costs must be capitalized for all assets under construction.

(h) Income Taxes

Under United States GAAP, an income tax position is recognized when it is more likely than not that it will be sustained upon examination based on its technical merits, and is measured as the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Under Canadian GAAP, we recognize and measure income tax positions, including any related accruals for interest and penalties, based on our best estimate of the amount that is more likely than not of being realized.

BCE and its subsidiaries are subject to Canadian federal and provincial income tax, United States federal, state and local income tax. BCE has substantially concluded all Canadian federal and provincial income tax matters for the years through 1999. Canadian federal income tax returns for taxation years ended December 31, 2000 through December 31, 2006 are currently under examination by the Canada Revenue Agency, which to date has not proposed any significant adjustments. No material matters pertaining to United States federal, state or local income tax matters are currently outstanding.

 

7


DESCRIPTION OF UNITED STATES GAAP DIFFERENCES

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

549

Increases based on tax positions related to the current year

2

Increases for tax positions of prior years

10

Balance at March 31, 2008

561

The balance of $561 million at March 31, 2008 includes $161 million of tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty as to the timing of such deductibility. The disallowance of a shorter deductibility period would not affect the effective tax rate, except with respect to interest and penalties and the impact of declining income tax rates. The remaining $400 million of unrecognized tax benefits would, if recognized, favourably affect the effective income tax rate in any future periods. Subject to the results of audit examinations by taxing authorities and to legislative amendments, BCE does not anticipate adjustments to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months that would have a material impact on its financial statements.

BCE records interest and penalties related to income tax positions in income tax expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, BCE recognized approximately $11 million in interest (2007 - $15 million). BCE accrued $155 million for interest and nil for penalties at March 31, 2008 and $144 million and nil respectively, at December 31, 2007.

(i) Leases

Under United States GAAP, leases entered into during the last 25% of the total estimated economic life of the leased asset are classified as operating leases unless we expect to obtain ownership of the leased asset by the end of the lease term. Under Canadian GAAP, we account for such leases as capital leases when we obtain substantially all of the benefits and risks incident to ownership of the leased asset.

(j) Share Issue Costs

Under United States GAAP, share issue costs are recorded as a reduction of the proceeds raised from the issuance of capital stock, whereas under Canadian GAAP we charge share issue costs to deficit.

(k) Debt Issue Costs

Under United States GAAP, debt issue costs incurred in connection with the issuance of debt securities or other long-term borrowings are recorded as deferred charges and amortized over the term of the debt. Under Canadian GAAP, these costs are classified with the corresponding debt on the balance sheet.

 

8


DESCRIPTION OF UNITED STATES GAAP DIFFERENCES

(l) Other Long-Term Assets and Other Long-Term Liabilities

 

 March 31,  December 31,

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2008 2007

Other long-term assets

   

Deferred costs (a)

(21) (23)

Employee benefit plans (b)

(1,787) (1,792)

Future income taxes (h)

545 550

Debt issue costs (k)

41 54

 

(1,222) (1,211)

 

   

 

March 31, December 31,

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2008 2007

Other long-term liabilities

   

Employee benefit plans (b)

215 213

Future income taxes and unrecognized tax benefits (h)

(201) (218)

 

14 (5)

(m) Guarantees

Under Canadian GAAP, guarantees do not include indemnifications against intellectual property right infringement. Under United States GAAP, these indemnifications are included in guarantees. At March 31, 2008, such indemnifications amounted to $326 million (2007 - $326 million), of which $110 million expires in the current year, nil in 2009, $45 million in 2010, nil in 2011, $166 million in 2012 and thereafter, and $5 million with an indefinite term. We also have guarantees where no maximum potential amount is specified.

(n) Fair Value Measurements

Our available-for-sale publicly-traded securities and equity forward contracts are recorded at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. Our derivative instruments are recorded at fair value based on observable market data such as interest rates, yield curves and foreign exchange rates. The carrying value of these instruments is as follows:

   March 31,  December 31,
(in $ millions) (unaudited) 2008 2007
Available-for-sale publicly-traded securities 409 366
Equity forward contracts 16 20
Derivative instruments (33) (90)

(o) Future Accounting Changes

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in United States GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 came into effect as of January 1, 2008 (see note (n)), except for certain non-financial assets, such as capital assets and goodwill, and

 

9


DESCRIPTION OF UNITED STATES GAAP DIFFERENCES

non-financial liabilities in which case it is applicable for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We currently are evaluating the effect of adopting the remaining provisions of this new standard.

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statements No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“FAS 141(R)”), and No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“FAS 160”). These new standards will significantly change the financial accounting and reporting of business combination transactions and non-controlling interests in consolidated financial statements. The most significant changes resulting from FAS 141(R) and FAS 160 include requirements to:

  • Recognize 100 percent of the fair values of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and non-controlling interests in acquisitions of less than a 100 percent controlling interest when the acquisition results in a change in control of the acquired entity;

  • Measure acquirer shares issued in consideration for a business combination at fair value on the acquisition date;

  • Recognize contingent consideration arrangements at their acquisition-date fair values, with subsequent changes in fair value generally reflected in earnings;

  • Expense, as incurred, acquisition-related transaction costs;

  • Capitalize acquisition-related restructuring costs only if certain criteria are met as of the acquisition date; and

  • Classify non-controlling interest in subsidiaries as a separate component of equity.

These new standards are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We currently are evaluating the impact of the adoption of these new standards.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“FAS 161”), which amends the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. FAS 161 requires additional disclosures about an entity’s use of derivative instruments and their effect on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. FAS 161 is applicable for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of this new standard will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

(p) Comparative periods

We have reclassified some of the amounts for the comparative periods to make them consistent with the presentation for the current period.

 

10