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C HAPTER 10

The Revenue Cycle:


Sales to Cash Collections

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INTRODUCTION

Questions to be addressed in this chapter


include:
What are the basic business activities and
data processing operations that are performed
in the revenue cycle?
What decisions need to be made in the
revenue cycle, and what information is needed
to make these decisions?
What are the major threats in the revenue
cycle and the controls related to those
threats?
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INTRODUCTION

The revenue cycle is a recurring set of


business activities and related information
processing operations associated with:
Providing goods and services to customers
Collecting their cash payments
The primary external exchange of
information is with customers.

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INTRODUCTION

The primary objective of the revenue


cycle:
Provide the right product in the right place at
the right time for the right price.

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REVENUE CYCLE BUSINESS
ACTIVITIES
Four basic business activities are
performed in the revenue cycle:
Sales order entry
Shipping
Billing
Cash collection

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REVENUE CYCLE BUSINESS
ACTIVITIES
Four basic business activities are
performed in the revenue cycle:
Sales order entry
Shipping
Billing
Cash collection

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Sales order entry is performed by the sales


order department.
The sales order department typically reports to
the VP of Marketing.
Steps in the sales order entry process include:
Take the customers order.
Check the customers credit.
Check inventory availability.
Respond to customer inquiries (may be done by
customer service or sales order entry).

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Sales order entry is performed by the sales


order department.
The sales order department typically reports to
the VP of Marketing.
Steps in the process include:
Take the customers order.
Check the customers credit.
Check inventory availability.
Respond to customer inquiries (may be done by
customer service or sales order entry).

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Take customer orders


Order data are received on a sales order
document which may be completed and
received:
In the store
By mail
By phone
On a Website
By a salesperson in the field

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

The sales order (paper or electronic)


indicates:
Item numbers ordered
Quantities
Prices
Salesperson

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

To reduce human error, customers should


enter data themselves as much as
possible:
On Websites
On OCR forms
Via phone menus

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

How IT can improve efficiency and


effectiveness:
Orders entered online can be routed directly
to the warehouse for picking and shipping.
Sales history can be used to customize
solicitations.
Choiceboards can be used to customize
orders. Initially popular with Dell and Gateway.
Now used for purchases of shoes and
jeans!

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Electronic data interchange (EDI) can be


used to link a company directly with its
customers to receive orders or even
manage the customers inventory.
Email and instant messaging are used to
notify sales staff of price changes and
promotions.
Laptops and handheld devices can equip
sales staff with presentations, prices,
marketing and technical data, etc.
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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Sales order entry is performed by the sales


order department.
The sales order department typically reports to
the VP of Marketing.
Steps in the process include:
Take the customers order.
Check the customers credit.
Check inventory availability.
Respond to customer inquiries (may be done by
customer service or sales order entry).

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Credit sales should be approved before


the order is processed any further.
There are two types of credit
authorization:
General authorization
For existing
Specific customers below their credit limit who
authorization
dont have past-due balances.
Credit limits vary by customer based on past history
and ability to pay.
General authorization involves checking the customer
master file to verify the account and status.

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Credit sales should be approved before


the order iscustomers
For processed any further.
who are:
New
There are two typesbalances
Have past-due of credit
Are placing orders that would exceed their credit limit
authorization:
Specific authorization is done by the credit manager,
Generalwho
authorization
reports to the treasurer.

Specific authorization

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

How can IT improve the process?


Automatic checking of credit limits and
balances
Emails or IMs to the credit manager for
accounts needing specific authorization

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Sales order entry is performed by the sales


order department.
The sales order department typically reports to
the VP of Marketing.
Steps in the process include:
Take the customers order.
Check the customers credit.
Check inventory availability.
Respond to customer inquiries (may be done by
customer service or sales order entry).

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

When the order has been received and the


customers credit approved, the next step
is to ensure there is sufficient inventory to
fill the order and advise the customer of
the delivery date.
The sales order clerk can usually
reference a screen displaying:
Quantity on hand
Quantity already committed to others
Quantity on order
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SALES ORDER ENTRY

If there are enough units to fill the order:


Complete the sales order.
Notify the following departments of the sale:
Shipping
Inventory
Billing
Send an acknowledgment to the customer.

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Accurate inventory records are needed so


customers can be accurately advised of
their order status.
Requires careful data entry in the sales and
shipping processes.
Can be problematic in retail establishments:
Clerks running a similar item over the scanner
several times instead of running each item.
Mishandling of sales returns such that returned
merchandise isnt re-entered in inventory records.

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Sales order entry is performed by the sales


order department.
The sales order department typically reports to
the VP of Marketing.
Steps in the process include:
Take the customers order.
Check the customers credit.
Check inventory availability.
Respond to customer inquiries (may be done by
customer service or sales order entry).

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Another step in the sales order entry


process is responding to customer
inquiries:
May occur before or after the order is placed.
The quality of this customer service can be
critical to company success.

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SALES ORDER ENTRY

Sales order entry involved the steps of:


Taking the customers order
Checking the customers credit
Checking inventory availability
Responding to customer inquiries
We have now completed sales order entry
and are ready to move to the next step.

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REVENUE CYCLE BUSINESS
ACTIVITIES
Four basic business activities are
performed in the revenue cycle:
Sales order entry
Warehouse and Shipping
Billing
Cash collection

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WAREHOUSE & SHIPPING

The second basic activity in the revenue cycle is


filling customer orders and shipping the desired
merchandise.
The process consists of two steps
Picking and packing the order
Shipping the order
The warehouse department typically picks the order
The shipping departments packs and ships the
order
Both functions include custody of inventory and
ultimately report to the VP of Manufacturing.

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WAREHOUSE & SHIPPING

The second basic activity in the revenue cycle is


filling customer orders and shipping the desired
merchandise.
The process consists of two steps:
Picking and packing the order.
Shipping the order.
The warehouse department typically picks the order.
The shipping departments packs and ships the
order.
Both functions include custody of inventory and
ultimately report to the VP of Manufacturing.

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WAREHOUSE & SHIPPING

A picking ticket is printed by sales order entry


and triggers the pick-and-pack process
The picking ticket identifies:
Which products to pick
What quantity
Warehouse workers record the quantities picked
on the picking ticket, which may be a paper or
electronic document.
The picked inventory is then transferred to the
shipping department.
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SHIPPING

Technology can speed the movement of


inventory and improve the accuracy of perpetual
inventory records:
Bar code scanners and RFID systems
Conveyer belts
Wireless technology so workers can receive
instructions without returning to dispatch.
For companies that handle large volumes of merchandise,
like
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags:
Federal Express and UPS, RFID's ability to reduce by
a
even Eliminate the need
few seconds thetotime
align
it goods with
takes to scanner.
process each
Allow
package inventory
can to be tracked
yield enormous costassavings.
it moves through
warehouse.
Can store up to 128 bytes of data.

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WAREHOUSE & SHIPPING

The second basic activity in the revenue cycle is


filling customer orders and shipping the desired
merchandise.
The process consists of two steps:
Picking and packing the order.
Shipping the order.
The warehouse department typically picks the order.
The shipping departments packs and ships the
order.
Both functions include custody of inventory and
ultimately report to the VP of Manufacturing.

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WAREHOUSE & SHIPPING

The shipping department compares the


following quantities:
Physical count of inventory.
Quantities indicated on picking ticket.
Quantities on sales order.
Discrepancies can arise if:
Items werent stored in the location indicated
Perpetual inventory records were inaccurate.
If there are discrepancies, a back order is
initiated.
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WAREHOUSE & SHIPPING

The clerk then records :


The sales order number.
The item numbers ordered.
The quantities shipped.
This process:
Produces a packing slip.

The packing slip lists the quantity and description of


each item in the shipment.
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SHIPPING

The clerk then records online:


The sales order number.
The bill of lading is a legal contract that defines
The item numbers
responsibility ordered.
for goods in transit
The quantities shipped.
It identifies:
The carrier
This produces: The source
The destination
Updates the quantity-on-hand field in the
Special shipping instructions
inventory master file.
Who pays for the shipping
A packing slip.
Multiple copies of the bill of lading.
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SHIPPING

The shipment is accompanied by:


The packing slip.
A copy of the bill of lading.
The freight bill.
(Sometimes bill of lading doubles as freight bill).
What happens to other copies of the bill of
lading?
One is kept in shipping to track and confirm delivery.
One is sent to billing to trigger an invoice.
One is retained by the freight carrier.

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SHIPPING

A major shipping decision is the choice of


delivery methods:
Some companies maintain a fleet of trucks.
Companies increasingly outsource to
commercial carriers.
Reduces costs.
Allows company to focus on core business.
Selecting best carrier means collecting and
monitoring carrier performance data for:
On-time delivery.
Condition of merchandise delivered.
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REVENUE CYCLE BUSINESS
ACTIVITIES
Four basic business activities are
performed in the revenue cycle:
Sales order entry
Shipping
Billing
Cash collection

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BILLING

The third revenue cycle activity is billing


customers.
This activity involves two tasks:
Invoicing
Updating accounts receivable

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BILLING

The third revenue cycle activity is billing


customers.
This activity involves two tasks:
Invoicing
Updating accounts receivable

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BILLING

Accurate and timely billing is crucial.


Billing is an information processing activity
that repackages and summarizes information
from the sales order entry and shipping
activities.
Requires information from:
Shipping Department on items and quantities
shipped.
Sales on prices and other sales terms.

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BILLING

The basic document created is the sales


invoice. The invoice notifies the customer of:
The amount to be paid.
Where to send payment.
Invoices may be sent/received:
In paper form.
By EDI.
Common for larger companies.
Faster and cheaper than snail mail.

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BILLING

The third revenue cycle activity is billing


customers.
This activity involves two tasks:
Invoicing
Updating accounts receivable

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BILLING

The accounts receivable function reports to


the controller.
This function performs two basic tasks:
Debits customer accounts for the amount the
customer is invoiced.
Credits customer accounts for the amount of
customer payments.
Two basic ways to maintain accounts
receivable:
Open-invoice method
Balance forward method
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BILLING

Exception procedures: Account adjustments


and write-offs:
Adjustments to customer accounts may need
to be made for:
Returns
Allowances for damaged goods
Write-offs as uncollectible
These adjustments are handled by the credit
manager.

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BILLING

If theres a return, the credit manager:


Receives confirmation from the receiving dock
that the goods were actually returned to
inventory.
Then issues a credit memo which authorizes
the crediting of the customers account.
If goods are slightly damaged, the
customer may agree to keep them for a
price reduction.
Credit manager issues a credit memo to
reflect that reduction.
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BILLING

Distribution of credit memos:


One copy to accounts receivable to adjust the
customer account.
One copy to the customer.
If repeated attempts to collect payment
fail, the credit manager may issue a credit
memo to write off an account.
A copy will not be sent to the customer.

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BILLING

NOTE: Because accounts receivable handles


the customer accounts, why does someone else
have to issue the credit memos?
EXAMPLE: An accounts receivable employee could
allow a relative or friend (or even himself) to run up an
account with the company and then simply write the
account off or credit it for returns and allowances.
Having the credit memos issued by the credit
manager is good segregation of duties between:
Authorizing a transaction (write-off).
Recording the transaction.
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REVENUE CYCLE BUSINESS
ACTIVITIES
Four basic business activities are
performed in the revenue cycle:
Sales order entry
Shipping
Billing
Cash collection

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CASH COLLECTIONS

The final activity in the revenue cycle is


collecting cash from customers.
The cashier, who reports to the treasurer,
handles customer remittances and deposits
them in the bank.
Because cash and checks are highly
vulnerable, controls should be in place to
discourage theft.
Accounts receivable personnel should not have
access to cash (including checks).

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CASH COLLECTIONS

Possible approaches to collecting cash:


Turnaround documents forwarded to
accounts receivable.
The mailroom opens customer envelopes and
forwards to accounts receivable either:
Remittance advices.
Photocopies of remittance advices.
A remittance list prepared in the mailroom.

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Customers remit payments to
a bank P.O. box.
CASH COLLECTIONS
The bank sends the company:
Remittance advices.
An electronic list of the
Possible approaches to collecting cash: remittances.
Turnaround documents forwarded toofaccounts
Copies the checks.
receivable. Advantages:
Prevents theft by company
Lockbox arrangements. employees.
Improves cash flow
management.
Lockboxes may be regional,
which reduces time in the
mail.
Checks are deposited
immediately on receipt.
Foreign banks can be utilized
for international customers.

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CASH COLLECTIONS

Possible approaches to collecting cash:


Turnaround documents forwarded to accounts
receivable.
Lockbox arrangements.
Electronic lockboxes.
Upon receiving and scanning
the checks, the bank
immediately sends electronic
notification to the company,
including:
Customer account number
Amount remitted

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CASH COLLECTIONS

Customers remit payment electronically to the
companys bank.
Possible approaches
Eliminates mailingto collecting cash:
delays.
Turnaround documents
Typically forwarded
done through to accounts
banking systems Automated
Clearing House (ACH) network.
receivable.
PROBLEM: Some banks do not have both EDI and EFT
Lockbox arrangements.
capabilities, which complicates the task of crediting
the customers
Electronic lockboxes. account on a timely basis.

Electronic funds transfer and bill payment.

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CASH COLLECTIONS

Possible approaches to collecting cash:


Turnaround documents forwarded to accounts
receivable.
Lockbox arrangements.
Electronic lockboxes.
Electronic funds transfer and bill payment.
Financial electronic data interchange (FEDI).
Integrates EFT with EDI.
Remittance data and funds transfer instructions are sent
simultaneously by the customer.
Requires that both buyer and seller use EDI-capable banks.

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CASH COLLECTIONS

Possible approaches to collecting cash:


Turnaround documents forwarded to accounts
receivable.
Lockbox arrangements.
Electronic lockboxes.
Speeds collection because credit card issuer
Electronic funds
usually transfer
transfers and
funds bill two
within payment.
days.
Financial
Typically
electronic data of
costs 24% interchange (FEDI).
gross sales price.

Accept credit cards or procurement cards


from customers.

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CASH COLLECTIONS

Possible approaches to collecting cash:


Turnaround documents forwarded to accounts
receivable.
Lockbox arrangements.
Electronic lockboxes.
Electronic funds transfer and bill payment.
Financial electronic data interchange (FEDI).
Accept credit cards or procurement cards from
customers.

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REVIEW OF REVENUE CYCLE
ACTIVITIES
Before we move on to discuss internal
controls in the revenue cycle, lets do a
brief review of the organization chart,
including:
Who does what in the revenue cycle?
To whom do they typically report?

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PARTIAL ORGANIZATION CHART FOR
UNITS INVOLVED IN REVENUE CYCLE
CEO

V P o f M a r k e tin g V P o f M a n u fa c tu r in g CFO

S a le s C u s to m e r W a reh o u se S h ip p in g C o n tr o lle r T re as u rer


O rd e r S e rv ic e

Takes customer orders B illin g A c c o u n ts C r e d it C a s h ie r


Authorizes credit for existing
customers in good standing
D e p t. R e c e iv a b le M anager
Checks inventory availability
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PARTIAL ORGANIZATION CHART FOR
UNITS INVOLVED IN REVENUE CYCLE
CEO

V P o f M a r k e tin g V P o f M a n u fa c tu r in g CFO

S a le s C u s to m e r W a re h o u s e S h ip p in g C o n tr o lle r T re a s u re r
O rd er S e rv ic e

Responds to B illin g A c c o u n ts C r e d it C a s h ie r
customer inquiries
D e p t. R e c e iv a b le M anager

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PARTIAL ORGANIZATION CHART FOR
UNITS INVOLVED IN REVENUE CYCLE

CEO

V P o f M a r k e tin g V P o f M a n u fa c tu r in g CFO

S a le s C u s to m e r W a re h o u s e S h ip p in g C o n tr o lle r T re as u rer
O rd er S e rv ic e

Picks the B illin g A c c o u n ts C r e d it C a s h ie r


order
D e p t. R e c e iv a b le M anager

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PARTIAL ORGANIZATION CHART FOR
UNITS INVOLVED IN REVENUE CYCLE

CEO

V P o f M a r k e tin g V P o f M a n u fa c tu r in g CFO

S a le s C u s to m e r W a re h o u se S h ip p in g C o n tr o lle r T re a s u re r
O rd e r S e rv ic e

Packs the B illin g A c c o u n ts C r e d it C a s h ie r


order
Ships the
D e p t. R e c e iv a b le M anager
order

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PARTIAL ORGANIZATION CHART FOR
UNITS INVOLVED IN REVENUE CYCLE

CEO

V P o f M a r k e tin g V P o f M a n u fa c tu r in g CFO

S a le s C u s to m e r W a reh o u s e S h ip p in g C o n tr o lle r T re as u re r
O rd e r S e rv ic e

B illin g A c c o u n ts C r e d it C a s h ie r
Invoices the D e p t. R e c e iv a b le M anager
customer

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PARTIAL ORGANIZATION CHART FOR
UNITS INVOLVED IN REVENUE CYCLE

CEO

V P o f M a r k e tin g V P o f M a n u fa c tu r in g CFO

S a le s C u s to m e r W a re h o u s e S h ip p in g C o n tr o lle r T re a s u re r
O rd e r S e rv ic e

Maintains the customers


account:
Increases customer account
B illin g A c c o u n ts C r e d it C a s h ie r
when sales are made D e p t. R e c e iv a b le M anager
Decreases account when cash
is collected

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PARTIAL ORGANIZATION CHART FOR
UNITS INVOLVED IN REVENUE CYCLE

CEO

V P o f M a r k e tin g V P o f M a n u fa c tu r in g CFO

S a le s C u s to m e r W a reh o u s e S h ip p in g C o n tr o lle r T re as u re r
O rd e r S e rv ic e
Approves credit for new
customers or existing
customers with issues B illin g A c c o u n ts C r e d it C a s h ie r
Authorizes credits to customer D e p t. R e c e iv a b le M anager
accounts for returns,
allowances, and write-offs

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PARTIAL ORGANIZATION CHART FOR
UNITS INVOLVED IN REVENUE CYCLE

CEO

V P o f M a r k e tin g V P o f M a n u fa c tu r in g CFO

S a le s C u s to m e r W a reh o u se S h ip p in g C o n tr o lle r T re a s u re r
O rd er S e rv ic e

B illin g A c c o u n ts C r e d it C a s h ie r
Deposits cash D e p t. R e c e iv a b le M anager
received from
customers

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CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
In the revenue cycle (or any cycle), a well-designed AIS
should provide adequate controls to ensure that the
following objectives are met:
All transactions are properly authorized.
All recorded transactions are valid.
All valid and authorized transactions are recorded.
All transactions are recorded accurately.
Assets are safeguarded from loss or theft.
Business activities are performed efficiently and effectively.
The company is in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations.
All disclosures are full and fair.

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CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
Well soon be discussing the threats that may
occur in the revenue cycle.
If you understand the preceding objectives, you
probably wont have to worry about memorizing
threats.
Almost every threat represents a violation of one
of those control objectives.
Lets look more closely.

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CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
In the revenue cycle (or any cycle), a well-designed AIS
should provide adequate controls to ensure that the
following objectives are met:
All transactions are properly authorized.
All recorded
Atransactions arewould
related threat valid. be that a transaction
All valid andwould go through
authorized without
transactions areproper authorization.
recorded.
Such
All transactions area transaction might result from either a
recorded accurately.
mistake or a fraud.
Assets are safeguarded from loss or theft.
EXAMPLE: An employee might process an
Business activities are performed
write-offefficiently
unauthorized of his own andaccount,
effectively.
so
The company is in
that hecompliance withto
wouldnt have allpay.
applicable laws and
regulations.
All disclosures are full and fair.

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CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
In the revenue cycle (or any cycle), a well-designed AIS
should provide adequate controls to ensure that the
following objectives are met:
All transactions are properly authorized
All recorded transactions are valid
All
The valid and
related authorized
threat is that a transactions are recorded
transaction would be recorded that
isnt
Allvalid, i.e., it didnt
transactions actually occur.
are recorded accurately
EXAMPLE
Assets are 1: An employee records
safeguarded a or
from loss return
theftof merchandise on
his own account when the goods were never really returned.
Business activities are performed efficiently and effectively
EXAMPLE 2: Many financial statement frauds involve companies
The company is in compliance with all applicable laws and
recording totally fictitious revenues in order to make the
regulations
companys financial position appear more favorable than it
All disclosures
actually is. are full and fair

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 68 of 161
CONTROL

OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
The related threat would be that a transaction that actually did
occur didntAND PROCEDURES
get recorded.
EXAMPLE 1: An employee fails to record a sale that the
Incompany made to
the revenue him (or
cycle so he wont
any haveatowell-designed
cycle), pay the receivable.
AIS
should
EXAMPLE 2: In financial
provide adequate statement
controlsfraud cases, the
to ensure thatcompany
the
often failsobjectives
following to record transactions
are met: that reduce income or net
assets, e.g., doesnt record returns from customers or discounts
All transactions
granted are omission
to them. This properly authorized.
causes net sales to appear
All recorded
higher than they transactions
really are. are valid.
All valid and authorized transactions are recorded.
All transactions are recorded accurately.
Assets are safeguarded from loss or theft.
Business activities are performed efficiently and effectively.
The company is in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations.
All disclosures are full and fair.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 69 of 161
CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
The threat would be that a transaction is
AND PROCEDURES
recorded inaccurately. Inaccurate recording
typically means that a transaction is recorded
In the revenue cycle (or any cycle), a well-designed AIS
either:
should provide adequate controls
In the wrong to ensure that the
amount
following objectives
Inare
the met:
wrong account
In the wrong time period
All transactions are properly authorized.
It could also mean that the transaction was
All recorded transactions are valid.
credited to the wrong agents or participants.
All valid and authorized transactions are recorded.
All transactions are recorded accurately.
Assets are safeguarded from loss or theft.
Business activities are performed efficiently and effectively.
The company is in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations.
All disclosures are full and fair.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 70 of 161
CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
EXAMPLES: A fraud might involve a company:
Over-recording the amount of a sale (wrong
In the revenue cycle amount)
(or any cycle), a well-designed AIS
Recording
should provide adequate an unearned
controls revenue
to ensure thatasthe
an earned
revenue (wrong account)
following objectives are met:
Recording a sale earlier than it occurs (wrong
All transactions are properly authorized.
time period)
All recorded transactions
Crediting
are the
valid.
wrong salesperson for the sale
(wrong agent)
All valid and authorized transactions are recorded.
All transactions are recorded accurately.
Assets are safeguarded from loss or theft.
Business activities are performed efficiently and effectively.
The company is in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations.
All disclosures are full and fair.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 71 of 161
CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
In the revenue cycle
The(or
reverse side of these
any cycle), activities might
a well-designed AIS
include: controls to ensure that the
should provide adequate
Under-recording a sales return (wrong amount)
following objectives are met:
Debiting an asset account instead of sales
All transactions are properly authorized.
returns (wrong account)
All recorded transactions are valid.
Recording the return later than it actually
occurred
All valid and authorized (wrong time
transactions are period)
recorded.
All transactions are recorded accurately.
Assets are safeguarded from loss or theft.
Business activities are performed efficiently and effectively.
The company is in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations.
All disclosures are full and fair.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 72 of 161
CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
In the revenue cycle (or any cycle), a well-designed AIS
should provide adequate controls to ensure that the
following objectives are met:
All transactions are properly authorized.
All recorded transactions are valid.
All valid and authorized
Threats intransactions
this area usually involve theft,
are recorded.
destruction, or misuse of assets, including data.
All transactions are recorded accurately.
Assets are safeguarded from loss or theft.
Business activities are performed efficiently and effectively.
The company is in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations.
All disclosures are full and fair.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 73 of 161
CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
In the revenue cycle (or any cycle), a well-designed AIS
should provide adequate controls to ensure that the
following objectives are met:
All transactions are properly authorized.
All recorded transactions are valid.
All valid and authorized
The threattransactions are recorded.
is that the activities would be
All transactions are recorded
performed accurately.
inefficiently or ineffectively.
Assets are safeguarded from loss or theft.
Business activities are performed efficiently and
effectively.
The company is in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations.
All disclosures are full and fair.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 74 of 161
CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
In the revenue cycle
The obvious
(or any threat is a
cycle), non-compliance
well-designedwith
AISlaws
and regulations.
should provide adequate controls to ensure that the
An example in the revenue cycle could be a car
following objectives arewho:
dealer met:
All transactions are properly
Sells authorized.
a vehicle to which he doesnt have clear title;
or
All recorded transactions are valid.
Refuses to allow a customer to return a car in
All valid and authorized transactions are recorded.
violation of state lemon laws.
All transactions are recorded accurately.
Another example might be requesting a credit
Assets are safeguarded
check onfrom loss or theft.
a customer in violation of the Fair
Credit
Business activities areReporting
performedAct (FCRA).and effectively.
efficiently
The company is in compliance with all applicable laws
and regulations.
All disclosures are full and fair.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 75 of 161
CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
In the revenue cycle (or any cycle), a well-designed AIS
should provide adequate controls to ensure that the
following objectives are met:
All transactions are properly authorized.
The threat is incomplete and/or misleading
All recorded transactions
disclosures. are valid.
All valid and authorized
This threattransactions are recorded.
is more important in other areas,
All transactions are recorded
particularly accurately.
those areas that involve liabilities
and contingencies.
Assets are safeguarded from loss or theft.
However,
Business activities one threatefficiently
are performed in the revenue cycle could
and effectively.
be misleading disclosures about customers
The company rights
is in compliance with all applicable laws and
to return product.
regulations.
All disclosures are full and fair.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 76 of 161
CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
While were going to step through a number of
common threats in the revenue cycle, its a good
idea to memorize the internal control objectives
so you can think of the relevant threats on your
own.
If you dont like the text version, click on the
button below to see a rhyming version of the
same objectives.
Poets
Poets
Corner
Corner

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 77 of 161
CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
There are several actions a company can take
with respect to any cycle to reduce threats of
errors or irregularities. These include:
Using simple, easy-to-complete documents with
clear instructions (enhances accuracy and
reliability).
Using appropriate application controls, such as
validity checks and field checks (enhances
accuracy and reliability).
Providing space on forms to record who completed
and who reviewed the form (encourages proper
authorizations and accountability).

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 80 of 161
CONTROL OBJECTIVES, THREATS,
AND PROCEDURES
Pre-numbering documents (encourages recording
of valid and only valid transactions).
Restricting access to blank documents (reduces
risk of unauthorized transaction).

In the following sections, well discuss the


threats that may arise in the four major steps
of the revenue cycle, as well as the controls
that can prevent those threats.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 81 of 161
THREATS IN SALES ORDER ENTRY

The primary objectives of this process:


Accurately and efficiently process customer orders.
Ensure that all sales are legitimate and that the
company gets paid for all sales.
Minimize revenue loss arising from poor inventory
management.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 82 of 161
THREATS IN SALES ORDER ENTRY
You can click on any of the threats below to get
more information on:
Threats in the sales
The types oforder
problemsentry
posed byprocess
each threat.

include: The controls that can mitigate the threats.

1. THREAT 1: Incomplete or inaccurate


customer orders
2. THREAT 2: Sales to customers with poor
credit
3. THREAT 3: Orders that are not legitimate
4. THREAT 4: Stockouts, carrying costs, and
markdowns

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 83 of 161
THREATS IN SHIPPING

The primary objectives of the shipping process


are:
Fill customer orders efficiently and accurately
Safeguard inventory
Threats in the shipping process include:
THREAT 5: Shipping Errors
THREAT 6: Theft of Inventory
You can click on any of the threats above to get
more information on:
The types of problems posed by each threat.
The controls that can mitigate the threats.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 92 of 161
You can click on any of the threats below to get
more information on:
THREATS
The typesIN BILLING
of problems posed by each threat.
The controls that can mitigate the threats.

The primary objectives of the billing process


are to ensure:
Customers are billed for all sales.
Invoices are accurate.
Customer accounts are accurately maintained.
Threats that relate to this process are:
THREAT 7: Failure to bill customers
THREAT 8: Billing errors
THREAT 9: Errors in maintaining customer
accounts

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 97 of 161
THREATS IN CASH COLLECTION

The primary objective of the cash collection


process:
Safeguard customer remittances.
The major threat to this process:
THREAT 10: Theft of cash

You can click on the above threat to get more


information on:
The types of problems posed by the threat.
The controls that can mitigate the threat.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 103 of 161
SUMMARY

Youve learned about the basic business


activities and data processing operations in
the revenue cycle, including:
Sales order entry
Shipping
Billing
Cash Collection
Youve learned how IT can improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of those
processes.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 107 of 161
SUMMARY

Youve learned about decisions that need to


be made in the revenue cycle and what
information is required to make these
decisions.
Youve also learned about the major threats
that present themselves in the revenue cycle
and the controls that can be instigated to
mitigate those threats.

2008 Prentice Hall Business Publishing Accounting Information Systems, 11/e Romney/Steinbart 108 of 161

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