The Following Are Internal Control Procedures Over Cash Payments in Place

question 117

Essay

The following are internal control procedures over cash payments in place at Value Auto Parts.
1. Cheques are signed using an automated cheque signing machine. The machine is stored in a safe that requires two keys to open it. The Controller and Vice President Finance, each have custody of one of the keys.
2. Only original vendor invoices with unique invoice numbers are approved for payment. Faxes and photocopies are not acceptable, and if a vendor sends two invoices with the same number, they are returned and the vendor is asked to re-issue one of them with a different invoice number.
3. The Purchasing Manager is authorized to approve purchase orders, the Receiving Manager approves invoices after matching them to receiving reports, an Accounts Payable Assistant records the purchase invoices, the Accounts Payable Manager prepares cheques and the VP Finance signs them.
4. The computer system produces a log showing how many errors have been made and corrected by each Accounting Assistant in recording vendor invoices.
Instructions
For each internal control, identify which type of control is described, and describe a weakness that the control is designed to prevent or detect.

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Definitions:

Interest Rate Parity

A theory suggesting that the difference in interest rates between two countries will be equal to the differential between the forward exchange rate and the spot exchange rate.

British Security

A financial instrument issued in the UK that represents either equity in a company, debt obligations, or other rights to ownership or profit.

Forward Rate

An agreed-upon price for a financial transaction that will occur at a future date.

International Fisher Effect

A theory stating that the difference in nominal interest rates between two countries is equal to the expected change in their exchange rates.