Hall's Office Supplies Is a Small Store in a Rural

question 39

Multiple Choice

Hall's Office Supplies is a small store in a rural area of the United States; Ian Hall is the owner. The store also employs three purchasing agents and an accountant. While the purchasing agents handle day-to-day inventory purchases, Ian makes all large purchases (equipment, furniture and computers, for example) himself. Each purchasing agent is responsible for purchasing a specific group of inventory items; for example, one purchasing agent handles all purchases of computer-related supplies (mouse pads, compact discs) . Each purchasing agent uses his/her best judgment when deciding how much and how often to order inventory items. When inventory and other items arrive at the store, the relevant purchasing agent checks it in and puts it in the stockroom. Vendors send invoices directly to the accountant, who pays them within thirty days and reconciles the bank statement at least monthly. Ian works as a salesperson Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
he is assisted by two half-time sales staff. One staff person works from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, while the other works from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The part-time staff is in charge of keeping the shelves stocked. Hall's Office Supplies maintains a manual accounting information system, and retains copies of all documents for one year.
-Ian could achieve stronger internal control by enforcing separation of duties for:

• A) Himself.
• B) The purchasing agents.
• C) The stockroom.
• D) Vendors.

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Definitions:

Revenue Recognition

The accounting principle that dictates the conditions under which revenue is recognized or recorded, primarily focusing on the timing and amount.

Percentage-of-Completion

An accounting method recognizing revenues and expenses of long-term contracts as a percentage of work completed.

Transfer Pricing

The price charged when two parts of the same multinational corporation, often the parent company and a subsidiary in another country, engage in trade with one another.

Transfer Pricing

The setting of prices for transactions between entities under the same corporate umbrella, often used for strategic financial management and tax planning.