The organizational structure of a manufacturing company
includes the following departments: purchasing, receiving,
inspecting, warehousing, and controllership. An auditor is assigned
to audit the receiving department. During audit planning, the
auditor determines the following information:
1. A copy of each purchase order is routinely sent to the
receiving department by the purchasing department via intracompany
e-mail. This is followed by the physical copy via regular
intra-company mail. Each purchase order is filed by purchase order
number. In response to a job enrichment program, everyone in the
receiving department is authorized to file the purchase orders.
Whoever happens to be available is expected to file any purchase
orders received. 2. When a shipment of goods is delivered to the
receiving dock, the shipper’s invoice is signed and forwarded to
the controller’s office, the vendor’s packing slip is filed in
receiving by vendor name, and the goods are stored in the warehouse
by receiving personnel. In response to a job enrichment program,
all persons in the receiving department have been trained to
perform all three activities independently. Whoever happens to be
available when a shipment arrives is expected to perform all three
of the activities associated with that shipment.
a. What are the major deficiencies and inefficiencies in the
process as described?
b. How could the process be improved? First, consider the need
for strategic production and suppliers. Second, consider how
greater computerization could improve the process?
c. Why is it important to have segregation between the
purchasing, receiving, and payment functions? How is that
segregation maintained when all three functions are
automated?
d. Assume that the purchasing and receiving functions operate
as described. What would be your preliminary assessment of control
risk? What are the implications for substantive testing of the
related account balances? Describe the substantive procedures the
auditor should consider for inventory, expenses, payables, and
other related accounts.