When More Isn’t Better

1. 16 COMPLETING THE TESTS IN THE SALES AND COLLECTION CYCLE: ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE When More Isn’t Better

2. METHODOLOGY FOR DESIGNING TESTS OF DETAILS OF BALANCES In designing tests of details of balances for accounts receivable, it is essential to satisfy each of the nine balances-related audit objectives first discussed in Chapter 6. 1. Detail tie-in 2. Existence 3. Completeness 4. Accuracy 5. Classification 6. Cutoff 7. Realizable value 8. Rights 9. Presentation and disclosure

3. Phase I Set tolerable misstatement and assess inherent risk for accounts receivable Assess control risk for sales and collection cycle

4. Phase II Design and perform tests of controls and substantive tests of transactions for the sales and collection cycle

5. Phase III Design and perform analytical procedures for accounts receivable balance Design tests of details of accounts receivable balance to satisfy balance- related audit objectives Audit procedures Sample size Items to select Timing

6. Designing Tests of Details of Balances Aged Trial Balance Recorded Accounts Receivable Exist Existing Accounts Receivable Are Included Accounts Receivable Are Accurate Accounts Receivable Are Properly Classified Cutoff for Accounts Receivable Is Correct Accounts Receivable Is Stated at Realizable Value Accounts Receivable Presentation and Disclosures Are Proper

7. Confirmation of Accounts Receivable AICPA Requirements 1. Accounts receivable are immaterial. 2. The auditor considers confirmations ineffective evidence because response rates will likely be inadequate or unreliable. 3. The combined level of inherent risk and control risk is low and other substantive evidence can be accumulated to provide sufficient evidence.

8. FIGURE 15 - 1 METHODOLOGY FOR DESIGNING TESTs OF DETAILS OF BALANCE FOR ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

9. FIGURE 15 -2 Relationship between Transaction-Related Audit Objectives for the Sales and Collection Cycle and Balance- Related Audit Objectives for Accounts receivable

10. Confirmation Decisions Types of Confirmation Positive confirmation Blank confirmation form Invoice confirmation Negative confirmation

11. TIMING The most reliable evidence from confirmations is obtained when they are sent as close to the balance sheet date as possible, as opposed to confirming the accounts several months before yearend.

12. Sample Size Fall into several categories and include the following: • Tolerable misstatement • Inherent risk (relative size of total accounts receivable, number of accounts, prior year results, and expected misstatements) • Control risk • Achieved detection risk from other substantive test (extent and results of substantive tests of transactions, analytical procedures, and other tests of details) • Type of confirmation (negatives normally require a larger sample size)

13. Selection of the Items for Testing When selecting a sample of accounts receivable for confirmation, the auditor should be careful to avoid being influenced by the client. If a client tries to discourage the auditor from sending confirmation to certain customers, the auditor should consider the possibility that the client is attempting to conceal fictitious or known misstatements of accounts receivable.

14. Subsequent Cash Receipts Evidence of the receipt of cash subsequent to the confirmation date includes examining remittance advices, entries in the cash receipts records, or perhaps even subsequent credits in the accounts receivable master files.

15. Duplicate Sales Invoices These are useful in verifying the actual issuance of a sales invoice and the actual date of the billing. Shipping Documents These are important in establishing whether the shipment was actually made and as a test of cutoff. Correspondence with the Client Usually, the auditor does not need to review correspondence as a part of alternative procedures, but correspondence can be used to disclose disputed and questionable receivables not uncovered by other means.

16. Analysis of Differences Payment Has Already Been Made Goods Have Not Been Received The Goods Have Been Returned Clerical Errors and Disputed Accounts

17. ESSENTIAL TERMS Accounts receivable balance-related audit objectives Aged trial balance Alternative procedures Blank confirmation form Cutoff misstatement Invoice confirmation Negative confirmation Positive confirmation Realizable value of accounts receivable Timing difference

18. Aged Trial Balance for Hillsburg Hardware Co. • FIGURE 15 - 3

19. FIGURE 15 - 1 Analytical Procedures for the Sales and Collection Cycle

20. Analysis of Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts for Hillsburg Hardware Co. FIGURE 15 -4

21. FIGURE 15 -7

22. FIGURE 15 -5