Below are descriptions of internal control problems. Identify the one best internal control principle that is related to the problem described. 1. The same person opens incoming mail and posts the accounts receivable subsidiary ledger. 2. Three people handle cash sales from the same cash register drawer. 3. A clothing store is experiencing a high level of inventory shortages because people try on clothing and walk out of the store without paying for the merchandise. 4. The person who is authorized to sign checks approves purchase orders for payment. 5. Some cash payments are not recorded because checks are not prenumbered. 6. Cash shortages are not discovered because there are no daily cash counts by supervisors. 7. The treasurer of the company has not taken a vacation for over 20 years.

The internal control principles are:

Establishment of responsibility

Segregation of duties

Physical control devices

Documentation procedures

Independent internal verification

Human resource controls

1. The same person opens incoming mail and posts the accounts receivable subsidiary ledger. ⇒ SEGREGATION OF DUTIES.

There should be a segregation of such duties so that the chances of fraud are reduced.

2. Three people handle cash sales from the same cash register drawer. ⇒ ESTABLISHMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY.

One person should have access to the cash register drawer so as to reduce chances of fraud where one person takes cash and no one knows who. One person having access is an establishment of responsibility for that person.

3. A clothing store is experiencing a high level of inventory shortages because people try on clothing and walk out of the store without paying for the merchandise. ⇒ PHYSICAL AND IT CONTROLS.

Physical and IT controls would prevent such events from happening because the clothes would be identified before they left the store.

4. The person who is authorized to sign checks approves purchase orders for payment. ⇒ SEGREGATION OF DUTIES.

Segregation of duties ensures that this person would not make up frivolous purchase orders and then sign the checks for them.

5. Some cash payments are not recorded because checks are not prenumbered. ⇒ DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES.

Documentation procedures ensure that records are well kept in the company to avoid such a scenario.

6. Cash shortages are not discovered because there are no daily cash counts by supervisors. ⇒ INDEPENDENT CHECKS OF PERFORMANCE.

There should be an independent check of performance in different departments especially in relation to cash to find out why cash balances are a certain way.

7. The treasurer of the company has not taken a vacation for over 20 years. ⇒ HUMANS RESOURCE CONTROLS.

Human resource controls ensure that best practices are used in human resource to promote efficiency. This scenario will lead to the burnout of the employee which would reduce efficiency in the business.

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