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About the Service Annual Survey

Purpose:

The Service Annual Survey provides estimates of revenue and other measures for most traditional service industries. The United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this survey and provides for mandatory responses.

Coverage:

Companies that primarily provide services to individuals, businesses, and governments (NAICS 484: Truck Transportation, 492: Couriers and Messengers, 493: Warehousing and Storage, 51: Information, 5231 Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation Brokerage, 52392 Portfolio Management, 52393: Investment Advice, 532: Rental and Leasing, 54: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, 56: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services, 62: Healthcare and Social Assistance, 71: Arts, Entertainment and Recreation, 81: Other Services (except Public Administration). Covered industries accounted for about 30% of the Nation's 2004 Gross Domestic Product.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was used for the first time with the 1999 survey to collect data for the Service Annual Survey (SAS). The North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) was introduced for the first time with the 2001 survey year. NAPCS collection now covers select industries in Information Services (NAICS 51), Professional, Technical, and Scientific Services (NAICS 54), and Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (NAICS 56).

Content:

Collected data include operating revenue for both taxable and tax-exempt firms and organizations; sources of revenue, exports, and inventories for selected industries and selected industry-specific items.

Frequency:

Data collection usually begins in January following the survey year and continues for several months. Reported data are for activities, which take place during the calendar year.

The survey is conducted annually since 1982. Prior to 1982, the survey was conducted monthly. A new sample is introduced about every 5 years.

Methods:

A mail-out/mail-back survey of approximately 60,000 selected service businesses with paid employees; supplemented by administrative records data or imputed values to account for non-employer and certain other businesses. To be eligible for the list sample, service businesses must be in the Standard Statistical Establishment List, which contains all Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) for listed businesses and all locations of multi-establishment companies. EINs may represent one or more establishments and firms may have one or more EINs.

In the initial sampling, companies are stratified by major and minor kind of business, and by estimated receipts or revenue. All companies with total receipts above applicable size cutoffs are included in the survey and report for all their service industry locations. In a second stage, EINs of unselected companies are stratified by major kind of business and receipts or revenue. Within each stratum a simple random sample of EINs is selected.

The initial sample is updated quarterly to reflect births; and deaths adding new employer businesses identified in the business and professional classification survey and dropping firms and EINs that are no longer active. During interim periods, service non-employer and other businesses are represented by administrative records data or imputed values.

Products:

Service Annual Survey reports are normally published no later than 12 months after the end of the survey year. Summary data are provided at the sector, sub-sector, and industry group level for the survey year and past years. Industry specific data are provided for selected industries. In addition, there are data for selected kinds of business by federal income-tax status (taxable and tax-exempt).

Uses:

The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses these data in its preparation of national income and product accounts, and its benchmark and annual input-output tables. The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the data as input to its producer price indexes and in developing productivity measurements. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services uses the data to estimate expenditures for the National Health Accounts. The Federal Communications Commission uses the data as a means for assessing policy. The Coalition of Service Industries uses these data for general research and planning.

Trade and professional organizations use the estimates to analyze industry trends and benchmark their own statistical programs, develop forecasts, and evaluate regulatory requirements. The media use estimates for news reports and background information. Private businesses use the estimates to measure market share, analyze business potential, and plan investment decisions.

Special Features:

The Service Annual Survey provides the only source of annual receipts estimates for the service industries.