EX-99.2 3 usgaap_q110.htm RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO UNITED STATES GAAP Reconciliation of Canadian GAAP to United States GAAP

EXHIBIT 99.2

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, 2010. 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)

2010 2009

Earnings from continuing operations – Canadian GAAP

637 412

Differences

   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   

Employee benefit plans (b)

(120) (47)

Depreciation and amortization

   

Deferred costs and finite-life intangible assets (a)

1 1

Capitalized interest (g)

(19) (18)

Restructuring and other (a) (f)

(2) 7

Other (expense) income

   

Sale of businesses (f)

- (2)

Interest expense (g)

18 23

Income taxes

   

Cumulative tax effect of the above items

2 12

Unrecognized tax benefits (h)

- (9)

Non-controlling interest (d)

76 84

Earnings from continuing operations – U.S. GAAP

593 463

Discontinued operations – Canadian GAAP

- (6)

Difference (d) (f)

- (2)

Discontinued operations – U.S. GAAP

- (8)

Net earnings – U.S. GAAP

593 455

Net earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest (d)

(75) (82)

Net earnings attributable to BCE

518 373

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

(29) (29)

Net earnings atrributable to BCE common shareholders – U.S. GAAP

489 344

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

   

Continuing operations

0.64 0.45

Discontinued operations

- (0.01)

Net earnings

0.64 0.44

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

   

Continuing operations

0.64 0.45

Discontinued operations

- (0.01)

Net earnings

0.64 0.44

Average number of common shares outstanding – basic (millions)

765.7 788.3

2


Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the three months ended March 31

   

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2010 2009

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

   

Canadian GAAP

(130) 63

Difference

   

Net change in gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges (d) (e)

1 1

Employee benefit plans (b) (c) (d)

58 45

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes – U.S. GAAP

(71) 109

Net earnings – U.S. GAAP

593 455

Comprehensive income – U .S. GAAP

522 564

Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest (d)

(47) (85)

Comprehensive income attributable to BCE – U.S. GAAP

475 479
 

Consolidated Statement of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

March 31, December 31,

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2010 2009

Currency translation adjustment

(2) (2)

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

(49) 80

Employee benefit plans (b) (c) (d)

   

Net actuarial losses

(2,131) (2,186)

Net past service costs

47 43

Net transitional obligations

(3) (2)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss – U.S. GAAP

(2,138) (2,067)

Accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest (d)

510 482

Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to BCE – U.S. GAAP

(1,628) (1,585)

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

March 31, December 31,

 

  2010     2009  

 

Canadian   U.S. Canadian   U.S.

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

GAAP Differences GAAP GAAP Differences GAAP

ASSETS

           

Current assets

           

Cash and cash equivalents

748 - 748 687 - 687

Accounts receivable

1,523 - 1,523 1,605 - 1,605

Future income taxes (f)

128 (12) 116 110 (7) 103

Inventory

446 - 446 448 - 448

Prepaid expenses

389 - 389 296 - 296

Other current assets

145 - 145 137 - 137

Current assets of discontinued operations

1 - 1 1 - 1

Total current assets

3,380 (12) 3,368 3,284 (7) 3,277

Capital assets

           

Property, plant and equipment (f) (g)

19,381 624 20,005 19,441 624 20,065

Finite-life intangible assets (a) (f) (g)

2,483 110 2,593 2,541 110 2,651

Indefinite-life intangible assets (f)

3,817 4 3,821 3,803 4 3,807

Total capital assets

25,681 738 26,419 25,785 738 26,523

Other long-term assets (f) (l)

3,126 (2,346) 780 3,207 (2,276) 931

Goodwill (f)

5,774 94 5,868 5,774 94 5,868

Total assets

37,961 (1,526) 36,435 38,050 (1,451) 36,599

LIABILITIES

           

Current liabilites

           

Accounts payable and accrued liabilites (f)

3,568 (27) 3,541 3,716 (29) 3,687

Interest payable

133 - 133 113 - 113

Dividends payable

375 - 375 354 - 354

Debt due within one year (j)

747 11 758 600 11 611

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

3 - 3 3 - 3

Total current liabilities

4,826 (16) 4,810 4,786 (18) 4,768

Long-term debt (e) (j)

10,301 23 10,324 10,299 25 10,324

Other long-term liabilities (f) (l)

4,808 102 4,910 4,942 115 5,057

Total liabilities

19,935 109 20,044 20,027 122 20,149

Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries (d)

1,031 (1,031) - 1,049 (1,049) -

EQUITY (d) (f) (k)

           

BCE shareholders’ equity

           

Preferred shares

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

Common shares (i)

12,851 (65) 12,786 12,921 (65) 12,856

Contributed surplus (f)

2,485 (1,538) 947 2,490 (1,538) 952

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(38) (1,590) (1,628) 92 (1,677) (1,585)

(Deficit) retained earnings

(1,073) 2,063 990 (1,299) 2,182 883

Total BCE shareholders’ equity

16,995 (1,130) 15,865 16,974 (1,098) 15,876

Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries (d)

- 526 526 - 574 574

Total equity

16,995 (604) 16,391 16,974 (524) 16,450

Total liabilities and equity

37,961 (1,526) 36,435 38,050 (1,451) 36,599

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the three months ended March 31

   

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2010 2009

Cash flows from operating activities – Canadian GAAP

1,098 925

Differences

   

Capitalized interest (g)

18 23

Cash flows from operating activities – U.S. GAAP

1,116 948

Cash flows used in investing activities – Canadian GAAP

(528) (629)

Differences

   

Capitalized interest (g)

(18) (23)

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

(546) (652)

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

(509) (986)

Cash flows from (used in) continuing operations – U.S. GAAP

61 (690)

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

- (8)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

61 (698)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

688 3,063

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

749 2,365

Consists of:

   

Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations

748 2,356

Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations

1 9

Total

749 2,365

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Description of United States GAAP Differences

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

(a) Deferred Costs and Finite-life Intangible Assets

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 in June, 2007.

(d) Consolidation

Under Canadian GAAP net earnings and other comprehensive income exclude amounts attributable to the non-controlling interest. Under United States GAAP these amounts are included in net earnings and other comprehensive income. Also under United States GAAP, non-controlling interest in subsidiaries is presented in the balance sheet as a separate component of equity.

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 related 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.

Certain joint venture interests have been accounted for as discontinued operations under Canadian GAAP. Under United States GAAP, we must continue to reflect these investments in continuing operations. Our proportionate interest in joint venture results of operations and any gain or loss on disposal are reclassified from discontinued operations under Canadian GAAP to continuing operations under United States GAAP.

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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 United States GAAP, we remeasure to fair value our previously held equity interest in an entity when we acquire control and recognize a corresponding gain or loss in income. Also, acquisition-related transaction costs are expensed as incurred and restructuring costs are accrued and included in the purchase price allocation only if they are an acquired liability. Under Canadian GAAP, there is no remeasurement of our previously held equity interest, and transaction costs and restructuring provisions directly related to the acquisition are included in the purchase price allocation and restructuring provisions.

Under United States GAAP, we recognize a bargain purchase gain relating to an acquisition for any excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the purchase price paid. Under Canadian GAAP any excess generally reduces the carrying amounts attributed to the net assets acquired.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, under United States GAAP, we recorded income of $103 million (net of transaction costs of $7 million and directly related restructuring costs incurred of $5 million), comprised mainly of a gain on remeasurement of a previously held equity interest in an entity in which we acquired a controlling interest during the period and a bargain purchase gain on a business combination completed during the period.

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 businesses sold, 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 to be 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 to be realized.

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Description of United States GAAP Differences

BCE and its subsidiaries are subject to either Canadian federal and provincial income tax, United States federal, state or local income tax. BCE has substantially concluded all Canadian federal and provincial income tax matters for taxation years through 2000. Canadian federal income tax returns for taxation years 2001 through 2009 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.

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

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

 

Balance at January 1, 2010

711

Increase for tax positions of prior years

19

Decrease for tax positions of prior years

(20)

Settlements

(9)

Balance at March 31, 2010

701

The balance of $701 million at March 31, 2010 includes $283 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 $418 million of unrecognized tax benefits would, if recognized, favourably affect the effective income tax rate in 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 month period ended March 31, 2010, BCE recognized approximately $6 million in interest and penalties (2009 – $6 million). BCE had accrued $179 million for interest and nil for penalties at March 31, 2010 and $173 million and nil respectively, at December 31, 2009.

(i) 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.

(j) 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.

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Description of United States GAAP Differences

(k) Changes in Equity

 

        Accumulated    

For the three months ended

    Common   other   Non-

March 31, 2010

  Preferred shares, Contributed comprehensive Retained controlling

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

Total

shares

net surplus income earnings interest

Beginning balance

16,450 2,770 12,856 952 (1,585) 883 574

Net earnings

593         518 75

Other comprehensive income

             

Net change in gains (losses) on available-for sale financial assets and derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

(129)       (130)   1

Net change in currency translation adjustment

-       -   -

Employee benefit plans

58       87   (29)

Other comprehensive (loss)

(71)            

Net repurchase of BCE common shares

(125)   (71) (5)   (49)  

Dividends on BCE common and preferred shares

(361)         (361)  

Cash dividends/distributions paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest

(92)           (92)

Other

(3)   1     (1) (3)

 

16,391 2,770 12,786 947 (1,628) 990 526

 

        Accumulated    

For the three months ended

    Common   other   Non-

March 31, 2009

  Preferred shares, Contributed comprehensive Retained controlling

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

Total shares net surplus income earnings interest

Beginning balance

17,071 2,770 13,374 991 (1,498) 841 593

Net earnings

455         373 82

Other comprehensive income

             

Net change in gains (losses) on available-for sale financial assets and derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

61       60   1

Net change in currency translation adjustment

3       3   -

Employee benefit plans

45       43   2

Other comprehensive income

109            

Net repurchase of BCE common shares

(566)   (387) (27)   (152)  

Dividends on BCE common and preferred shares

(331)         (331)  

Cash dividends/distributions paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest

(92)           (92)

Other

6   1 3     2

 

16,652 2,770 12,988 967 (1,392) 731 588

9


Description of United States GAAP Differences

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

 

March 31, December 31,

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2010 2009

Other long-term assets

   

Deferred costs (f)

(3) (3)

Employee benefit plans (b)

(3,238) (3,213)

Future income taxes (f) (h)

856 899

Debt issue costs (j)

39 41

 

(2,346) (2,276)

 

   

 

March 31, December 31,

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2010 2009

Other long-term liabilities

   

Employee benefit plans (b)

133 138

Future income taxes and unrecognized tax benefits (f) (h)

(31) (23)

 

102 115

(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, 2010, such indemnifications amounted to $15 million (December 31, 2009 – $45 million), of which $5 million expires in 2011, $5 million in 2013, and $5 million with an indefinite term. We also have guarantees where no maximum potential amount is specified.

(n) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table shows a comparison between the carrying value and fair value of our long-term debt and derivative financial instruments.

 

March 31, 2010 December 31, 2009

 

Carrying Fair Carrying Fair

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

value value value value

Long-term debt due within one year

593 591 558 565

Long-term debt

10,324 11,161 10,324 10,926

Derivative financial instruments, net asset (liability) position

       

Forward contracts – BCE Inc. shares

58 58 35 35

Currency contracts

(137) (137) (128) (128)

Interest rate swaps

60 60 68 68

10


Description of United States GAAP Differences

(o) Future Accounting Changes

In October 2009, the FASB amended Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, to address certain aspects of accounting by a vendor for arrangements under which it will perform multiple revenue-generating activities, amending the previous guidance under Subtopic 605-25, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables. The amendments require a vendor to allocate arrangement consideration at the inception of an arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method, thus prohibiting the use of the residual method. The amendments to Topic 605 also change the level of evidence of the standalone selling price required to separate deliverables when more objective evidence of the selling price is not available.

The amendments to Topic 605 may be applied prospectively and must be applied to revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables entered into or materially modified in the first annual fiscal period beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted.

We are currently evaluating the impact and effective date of adoption of the amendments to Topic 605.

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