§  3.51   Cessation of operations.

   The FCC must be notified immediately should an accounting authority
   plan to relinquish its certification or cease to perform settlements as
   authorized. Additionally, the Commission must be advised in advance of
   any proposed transfer of control of an accounting authority's firm or
   organization, by any means, to another entity.

   (a) When an accounting authority is transferred, merged or sold, the
   new entity must apply for certification in its own right if it is
   interested in becoming an accounting authority. Provided the new
   applicant is eligible and completes the application process
   satisfactorily, the AAIC will be transferred to the new applicant. In
   the case of a merger of two accounting authorities, the merged entity
   must decide which AAIC to retain.

   (b) Section 3.21(a) will be waived for these applicants.

   (c) The applicant must comply with application process including public
   comment.

   (d) The applicant must certify acceptance of all accounts and must
   furnish a list of the accounts to the Commission at the time of
   application.