(a) Whether the case is to be submitted on the written record or be heard under any hearing procedure, the Board, upon its own initiative or upon the application of any party, may call upon the parties to appear before the Board for a conference to consider:
(1) The simplification, clarification, or severing of the issues;
(2) The possibility of obtaining stipulations, admissions, agreements on documents, understandings on matters already of record, or similar agreements which will avoid unnecessary proof;
(3) The limitation of the number of expert witnesses and the avoidance of similar cumulative evidence;
(4) The possibility of agreement disposing of all or any of the issues in dispute, and
(5) Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the appeal. The result of the conference is set forth in an appropriate memorandum or order which becomes part of the record.
(b) In addition to the procedures provided in paragraph (a) of this section, the Board may direct any party whose claim is based in whole or in part on books of account or other records to furnish to the other party a statement showing the items and figures intended to be proved, with adequate reference to the books and records from which such figures were taken, and to make all such books and records available for examination by the other party. The Board may also direct any party to whom such a statement of items and figures has been submitted:
(1) To make an examination of such books or records or waive challenge of the accuracy of the statement submitted as reflecting the contents of such books and records; and
(2) To furnish the submitting party a schedule or schedules showing the results of such examination, with specific references to the books and records from which such figures were taken, where the examining party's results and figures are different from those contained in the statement submitted.