10 indicator settings estimates
Indicator Settings from Estimates
Normally when an estimate is applied to an account, the associated indicator for the estimated field is changed to an “E” (for computer-generated estimate). This normally replaces an “M” indicator value, since the missing data fields are the ones that require estimation. Multi-unit families, however, have their own peculiarities.
When a master account has been delinquent, but the associated worksites have already reported on the MWR form, the reported worksite values are summed to form the master account estimate. Since this is based upon reported data, however, this method holds a substantially greater credibility level than estimates that are based simply on historical trends. Therefore the “S” value is used in the field indicators for worksite summation method. The “S” (for summed, reported worksite data) can then be looked at as more prestigious than computer-generated estimates. This setting applies only to the employment and total wage estimation methods, since reported taxable wage and contributions data are not found in worksite records (except for Minnesota). In addition, due to the fact that the master account estimate is based on reported data, it is exempt from the consecutive delinquent quarters limit. Even if a master fails to report for years, if the worksite MWRs continue to come through the account is still estimable.
Worksite prorations are the obverse of the summed level estimate. When a master account presents reported data, but the MWR form has not been returned, the worksites are still delinquent. When they are estimated, they are being prorated or distributed from reported master account data, which are more reliable and useful than the proration of estimates. So the “P” (for prorated) value is applied to the indicator flags associated with all worksite employment and wage fields that are estimated from reported worksite data. This designation also preserves the continuity of the data, even if the MWR forms fail to come in for multiple quarters. Normally estimates are blocked when the maximum consecutive delinquent quarters count (a constant found in the “PK” records of the Lookup File) has been exceeded. Since these prorations use reported data, the delinquency issue is sidestepped.
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