Problem 1. - Expenditure Cycle Walker Books, Inc. (Manual System with Minimal PC Support) Purchases System The purchases process begins with the purchasing agent, who monitors the levels of books available via a computer terminal listing current inventory. Upon noticing deficiencies in inventory levels, the agent manually generates four hard copies of a purchase order: one is sent to accounts payable, one is sent to the vendor, one is sent to the receiving department, and the last is filed within the department. Vendors will generally ship the products within five business days of the order. When goods arrive in the receiving department, the corresponding packing slip always accompanies them. The receiving department clerk unloads the goods and then reconciles the packing slip with the purchase order. After unloading the goods, the clerk manually prepares three hard copies of the receiving report. One copy goes with the goods to the warehouse, another is sent to the purchasing department, and the final copy is filed in the receiving department. In the warehouse, the copy is simply filed once the goods are stored on the shelves. In the purchasing department, the clerk receives this copy of the receiving report and files it with the purchase order. When the accounts payable department receives the purchase order, it is temporarily filed until the respective invoice arrives from the vendor. Upon receipt of the invoice, the accounts payable clerk removes the purchase order from the temporary file and reconciles the two documents. The clerk then manually records the liability in the hard copy accounts payable subsidiary ledger. Finally, the clerk files the purchase order and invoice in the open accounts payable file in the department. At the end of the day, the clerk prepares a hardcopy journal voucher and sends it to the general ledger department. Once the general ledger department receives the journal voucher, the clerk examines it for any obvious errors and then enters the relevant data into the department PC to update the appropriate digital general ledger accounts. Cash Disbursements System The accounts payable clerk periodically reviews the open accounts payable file for liabilities that are due. To maximize returns on invested cash yet still take advantage of vendor discounts, the clerk will pull the invoice two days before its applicable due date. Upon finding an open accounts payable file in need of payment, the clerk manually prepares a check for the amount due as per the invoice. The hard copy accounts payable ledger is also updated by the accounts payable clerk. The check number, dollar amount, and other pertinent data are manually recorded in the hard-copy check register. The check is then sent to the cash disbursements department. Finally, the invoice is discarded as it no longer has any relevant information that hasn’t already been recorded elsewhere. When the cash disbursements clerk receives the unsigned check, she examines it to ensure that no one has tampered with any of the information and that no errors have been made. Because she is familiar with all of the vendors with whom Walker deals, she can identify any false vendors or any payment amounts that seem excessive. Assuming everything appears in order, she signs the check using a signature block that displays the name of the assistant treasurer, Tyler Matthews. Only Matthews’ signature can validate a vendor check. The cash disbursements clerk then photocopies the check for audit trail purposes. Once the check is signed, it is sent directly to the supplier. The photocopy of the check is marked as paid and then filed in the cash disbursements department. The clerk then creates a journal voucher, which is sent to the general ledger department. Once the general ledger department receives the journal voucher, the clerk examines it for any obvious errors and then enters the relevant data into the department PC to update the appropriate digital general ledger accounts. Required: Analyze the internal control weaknesses in the system. Model your response according to the six categories of physical control activities specified in SAS 78/COSO control model.
Problem 1. - Expenditure Cycle
Walker Books, Inc. (Manual System with
Minimal PC Support)
Purchases System
The purchases process begins with the purchasing agent, who monitors the levels of books available via a computer terminal listing current inventory. Upon noticing deficiencies in inventory levels, the agent manually generates four hard copies of a purchase order: one is sent to accounts payable, one is sent to the vendor, one is sent to the receiving department, and the last is filed within the department. Vendors will generally ship the products within five business days of the order. When goods arrive in the receiving department, the corresponding packing slip always accompanies them. The receiving department clerk unloads the goods and then reconciles the packing slip with the purchase order. After unloading the goods, the clerk manually prepares three hard copies of the receiving report. One copy goes with the goods to the warehouse, another is sent to the purchasing department, and the final copy is filed in the receiving department. In the warehouse, the copy is simply filed once the goods are stored on the shelves. In the purchasing department, the clerk receives this copy of the receiving report and files it with the purchase order. When the accounts payable department receives the purchase order, it is temporarily filed until the respective invoice arrives from the vendor. Upon receipt of the invoice, the accounts payable clerk removes the purchase order from the temporary file and reconciles the two documents. The clerk then manually records the liability in the hard copy accounts payable subsidiary ledger. Finally, the clerk files the purchase order and invoice in the open accounts payable file in the department. At the end of the day, the clerk prepares a hardcopy journal voucher and sends it to the general ledger department. Once the general ledger department receives the journal voucher, the clerk examines it for any obvious errors and then enters the relevant data into the department PC to update the appropriate digital general ledger accounts.
Cash Disbursements System
The accounts payable clerk periodically reviews the open accounts payable file for liabilities that are due. To maximize
Required:
Analyze the internal control weaknesses in the system. Model your response according to the six categories of physical control activities specified in SAS 78/COSO control model.
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