In: Accounting
For the following situations explain what you would do in the situation and identify two internal control problems that exist in each situation:
Suppose you have a part-time sales position over the Christmas holiday break in a small clothing store that is part of a national chain. The store’s one full-time employee, with whom you have become friendly, hired you.
Situation A:
You arrive at the store at 6 pm to take over the evening shift from the full-time employee who hired you. You notice that this person takes a coat from a rack, puts it on, and leaves by the back door. You are not sure if the coat is one that was for sale or if it belonged to the employee.
Situation B:
You are the only person in the store on a busy evening. At closing time, you total the cash register and the receipts and discover that the cash register is $20 short of cash. You consider replacing the $20 out of your pocket because you think you may have made a mistake and are afraid you might lose your job if the company thinks you took the money.
Situation A : I would stop the employee and ask if the coat belongs to him or not saying that he might have work a different one which does not belongs to him. Or I might have to report it to the store manager if the person had already left to make such that I work in an ethical manner and perform the duties as required.
The two internal control probles that exist are-
1. Management integrity i.e. the moral character of the person with authority
2. Competent personnel which does not seem to be the case here.
Situation B : First of all, I will look into the cash register again if I have had made any mistake. If not, I will need to reconsider the decision of putting the short money from my pocket as I have not done anything wrong. It is important to inform tha manager about the inconsistency identified. This will definately not lead to losing the job as I am acting fairly.
The two internal control probles that exist are-
1. Record maintenance - It is evident that the proper documentation of business transactions are not done.
2. Competent personnel - If the error found in the cash register is correct, then the accounts manager/ book keeper is working unethically.