The purpose of this paper is threefold. Firstly, it is to establish that co
ntrary to what might be expected, the accuracy of well-known and frequently
used asymptotic variance results can depend on choices of fixed poles or z
eros in the model structure, Secondly, it is to derive new variance express
ions that can provide greatly improved accuracy while also making explicit
the influence of any fixed poles or zeros. This is achieved by employing ce
rtain new results on generalized Fourier series and the asymptotic properti
es of Toeplitz-like matrices in such a way that the new variance expression
s presented here encompass pre-existing ones as special cases. Via this lat
ter analysis a new perspective emerges on recent work pertaining to the use
of orthonormal basis structures in system identification, Namely, that ort
honormal bases are much more than an implementational option offering impro
ved numerical properties. In fact, they are an intrinsic part of estimation
since, as shown here, orthonormal bases quantify the asymptotic variabilit
y of the estimates whether or not they are actually employed in calculating
them.