Cal Temp Services Inc.Cal Temp Services Inc.

GROUP 4AGROUP 4ANIRAV BHATTNIRAV BHATT

ERIKA GARCIAERIKA GARCIAMANISHA SUCKOOMANISHA SUCKOO

ROXANA VALLIMORROXANA VALLIMOR

COMPANY BACKGROUNDCOMPANY BACKGROUND CTS, was founded by Jack C. Williamson in 1991 to CTS, was founded by Jack C. Williamson in 1991 to

provide engineering services, temporary personal and provide engineering services, temporary personal and personnel training.personnel training.

Miller and Starr CPA was the auditing firm. Miller and Starr CPA was the auditing firm. Company was approved for a loan of 600,000 with Company was approved for a loan of 600,000 with the local bank and then banking relation transferred to the local bank and then banking relation transferred to second union bank with a credit line of $ 1M, based second union bank with a credit line of $ 1M, based on the companies receivables (as collateral)on the companies receivables (as collateral)

CTS sales declined (loss) in April 1999 and Second CTS sales declined (loss) in April 1999 and Second union threatened to review CTS’s line of credit.union threatened to review CTS’s line of credit.

COMPANY BACKGROUND COMPANY BACKGROUND (Contd.)(Contd.)

Two months after reporting the loss, the CTS unaudited Two months after reporting the loss, the CTS unaudited financial statements showed improved results, therefore the financial statements showed improved results, therefore the bank approves for a credit line up to 1.3 M upon CTS bank approves for a credit line up to 1.3 M upon CTS managements request.managements request.

Due to ever increasing level of accounts receivable, amounts Due to ever increasing level of accounts receivable, amounts outstanding on the line of credit and accounts payable, the outstanding on the line of credit and accounts payable, the bank becomes concerned over the collateral and decides to bank becomes concerned over the collateral and decides to meet with the management.meet with the management.

On May 2001, CTS terminates its operations and surrenders On May 2001, CTS terminates its operations and surrenders all assets to the second union bank.all assets to the second union bank.

Accounting Issues1. Per Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, when should 1. Per Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, when should revenue be recognized? Also how are accounts receivable to be revenue be recognized? Also how are accounts receivable to be

valued and reported?valued and reported?

Revenue should be recognized when earned. Revenue should be recognized when earned. An entity's revenue-earning activities involve delivering or producing An entity's revenue-earning activities involve delivering or producing

goods, rendering services, or other activities that constitute its ongoing goods, rendering services, or other activities that constitute its ongoing major or central operations and revenues are considered to have been major or central operations and revenues are considered to have been earned when the entity has substantially accomplished what it must do earned when the entity has substantially accomplished what it must do to be entitled to the benefits represented by the revenues.to be entitled to the benefits represented by the revenues.

Accounts Receivable are to be valued at Net Accounts Receivable are to be valued at Net realizable valuerealizable value

2. Are the stated revenue recognition policies of CTS on 2. Are the stated revenue recognition policies of CTS on engineering services, as stated in the footnotes, appropriate engineering services, as stated in the footnotes, appropriate

and in accordance with the GAAP?and in accordance with the GAAP?

CTS policy for recognizing revenue for recognizing revenue service is CTS policy for recognizing revenue for recognizing revenue service is ‘‘Revenue for engineering services are recognized upon completion of Revenue for engineering services are recognized upon completion of

projects, which are generally of short duration. Direct costs associated projects, which are generally of short duration. Direct costs associated with customer engineering projects in process are included in with customer engineering projects in process are included in inventory at the lower of cost or realizable value.’inventory at the lower of cost or realizable value.’

YESYES

3. For the accounts receivable balances specifically discussed 3. For the accounts receivable balances specifically discussed above, what is your opinion as to amount, if any, of the above, what is your opinion as to amount, if any, of the

overstatement of accounts receivableoverstatement of accounts receivableAccount Receivable OverstatementAccount Receivable Overstatement

CompanyCompany As of December 31, 1999As of December 31, 1999

RecordRecord shd beshd be overstate/underoverstate/underPenns EngineeringPenns Engineering 75,00075,000 00 75,000 (eng services)75,000 (eng services)Tempo, IncTempo, Inc 00 77,34077,340 77,34077,340McDonald DouglasMcDonald Douglas 58,99558,995 43,19243,192 15,80315,803Nexus SoftwareNexus Software 119,432119,432 3,6923,692 115,470115,470Boeing DefenseBoeing Defense 75,41175,411 75,41175,411 0 (eng services)0 (eng services)

128,933 (overstatement)128,933 (overstatement)

CompanyCompany As of December 31, 2000As of December 31, 2000RecordRecord shd beshd be overstate/underoverstate/under

NexusNexus 187,210187,210 00 187,210187,210CMI K/PCMI K/P 197,697197,697 00 197,697197,697JLOJLO 77,20077,200 33,91733,917 43,28343,283DCS, Inc.DCS, Inc. 57,33957,339 20,21120,211 37,12837,128VortexVortex 174,135174,135 00 174,135 174,135

639,453 (overstatement)639,453 (overstatement)

*As of December 31, 1999 account receivable was overstated by $128,933.*As of December 31, 1999 account receivable was overstated by $128,933. *As of December 31, 2000 account receivable was overstated by $639,453.*As of December 31, 2000 account receivable was overstated by $639,453.

4. With the exception of accounts receivable, is there any 4. With the exception of accounts receivable, is there any other balance sheet accounts that you believe should be other balance sheet accounts that you believe should be

appropriately adjusted based on your findings?appropriately adjusted based on your findings?AssetsAssets 20002000 adjustmentadjustment adjustedadjustedCash Cash 1,700 1,700 1,700 1,700 Accounts ReceivablesAccounts Receivables 1,744,807 1,744,807 639,453639,453 1,105,354 1,105,354 InventoryInventory 229,023 229,023 229,023 229,023 Prepaid expensesPrepaid expenses 31,958 31,958 31,958 31,958 Total current assetTotal current asset 2,007,488 2,007,488 1,368,035 1,368,035

19991999 adjustmentadjustment adjustedadjustedCash Cash 1,898 1,898 1,898 1,898 Accounts ReceivablesAccounts Receivables 1,023,623 1,023,623 128,933128,933 894,690 894,690 InventoryInventory 125,112 125,112 83408340 133,452 133,452 Prepaid expensesPrepaid expenses 17,401 17,401 17,401 17,401 Total current assetTotal current asset 1,168,034 1,168,034 1,047,4411,047,441

As of December 31, 1999 engineering services in process (Inventory) was understated by $8,340. This same As of December 31, 1999 engineering services in process (Inventory) was understated by $8,340. This same transaction overstates cost of operations. CTS accounting policies states that direct cost associated with customer transaction overstates cost of operations. CTS accounting policies states that direct cost associated with customer engineering projects in process are included in inventory and based on the Work Order Log for Penns, the inventory engineering projects in process are included in inventory and based on the Work Order Log for Penns, the inventory balance was 0. balance was 0.

On 2000, CTS record billing for engineering services for Vortex, but no P.O. documentation was found as well as On 2000, CTS record billing for engineering services for Vortex, but no P.O. documentation was found as well as services performed.services performed.

5. What would have been the impact of the adjustment you 5. What would have been the impact of the adjustment you have proposed on the pre-tax income of CTShave proposed on the pre-tax income of CTS

Cal temp Services, IncCal temp Services, IncIncome StatementIncome Statement

20002000adjustmentadjustment after adjustafter adjust

salessales 5,962,610 5,962,610 639,453639,453 5,323,157 5,323,157 cost of operationscost of operations 4,368,487 4,368,487 4,368,487 4,368,487 gross profitgross profit 1,594,123 1,594,123 954,670 954,670 general & administrative expensesgeneral & administrative expenses 1,309,985 1,309,985 1,309,985 1,309,985 Income from operationsIncome from operations 284,138 284,138 (355,315)(355,315)Interest expenses, netInterest expenses, net (135,040)(135,040) (135,040)(135,040)Net income before provision of income taxesNet income before provision of income taxes 149,098 149,098 (490,355)(490,355)

1,999 1,999 adjustmentadjustment after adjustafter adjust

salessales 5,139,795 5,139,795 128,933128,933 5,010,862 5,010,862 cost of operationscost of operations 3,761,229 3,761,229 8,3408,340 3,752,889 3,752,889 gross profitgross profit 1,378,566 1,378,566 1,257,973 1,257,973 general & administrative expensesgeneral & administrative expenses 1,255,802 1,255,802 1,255,802 1,255,802 Income from operationsIncome from operations 122,764 122,764 2,171 2,171 Interest expenses, netInterest expenses, net (79,328)(79,328) (79,328)(79,328)Net income before provision of income taxesNet income before provision of income taxes 43,436 43,436 (77,157)(77,157)

*As of December 31, 1999 Sales revenue was overstated by $128,933. Cost of operation was overstated by $8,340 because *As of December 31, 1999 Sales revenue was overstated by $128,933. Cost of operation was overstated by $8,340 because these services were expended instead of being recorded to inventory.these services were expended instead of being recorded to inventory.

*As of December 31, 2000 Sales Revenue was overstated by $639,453.*As of December 31, 2000 Sales Revenue was overstated by $639,453.

Litigation Consulting Engagement Issues(1) What, if any, evidence have you identified that would indicate knowledge of any financial (1) What, if any, evidence have you identified that would indicate knowledge of any financial

statement and collateral reporting fraud on the part of Williamson and Roberts?statement and collateral reporting fraud on the part of Williamson and Roberts?

Evidence that indicate fraudulent Evidence that indicate fraudulent reporting on part of Williamson:reporting on part of Williamson: Penns Engineering, revenues were recognized and placed in accounts receivable as Penns Engineering, revenues were recognized and placed in accounts receivable as

of December 1999, but work order log indicate work completed in mid 2000. Thus, of December 1999, but work order log indicate work completed in mid 2000. Thus, the $75,000 that Mr. Williamson claimed belongs with the ‘1-30 Days’ Aged the $75,000 that Mr. Williamson claimed belongs with the ‘1-30 Days’ Aged Accounts Receivables was inaccurate.Accounts Receivables was inaccurate.

The invoice prepared for McDonald Douglas, Inc was actually dated January 2000; The invoice prepared for McDonald Douglas, Inc was actually dated January 2000; ir was, however, recognized in November of 1999. Moreover, services were nor ir was, however, recognized in November of 1999. Moreover, services were nor completed until mid January. The total amount of $58,995 should not have been completed until mid January. The total amount of $58,995 should not have been recognized in the year 1999.recognized in the year 1999.

(1)(1) What, if any, evidence have you identified that would indicate What, if any, evidence have you identified that would indicate knowledge of any financial statement and collateral reporting knowledge of any financial statement and collateral reporting fraud on the part of Williamson and Roberts?fraud on the part of Williamson and Roberts? ContinuedContinued

Evidence that indicate fraudulent reporting on Evidence that indicate fraudulent reporting on part of James Roberts:part of James Roberts:

For Nexus Software, CTS seemed to have been recording revenues for non-existent services For Nexus Software, CTS seemed to have been recording revenues for non-existent services rendered. The $187,210 ($118,210 + 69,000) was eventually reversed in early 2000; this rendered. The $187,210 ($118,210 + 69,000) was eventually reversed in early 2000; this occurred prior to payment of only $15,000 in April of 2001. occurred prior to payment of only $15,000 in April of 2001.

The total amount of $77,200 was recorded for JLO Contracting Services as of December 2000. The total amount of $77,200 was recorded for JLO Contracting Services as of December 2000. However, the remittance advice received with payment indicated invoice dated early 2001. However, the remittance advice received with payment indicated invoice dated early 2001. The work order log also confirmed that services were rendered in 2001, not 2000. The work order log also confirmed that services were rendered in 2001, not 2000.

Secondly, total amount of $197,697 recorded in 2000 was (mysteriously) reversed Secondly, total amount of $197,697 recorded in 2000 was (mysteriously) reversed in early 2001. Payments that management claimed to have received was, in in early 2001. Payments that management claimed to have received was, in actuality, draws from the bank (the line of credit); moreover, it was not indicated actuality, draws from the bank (the line of credit); moreover, it was not indicated that subsequent invoices were prepared (after the credits were issued) to account for that subsequent invoices were prepared (after the credits were issued) to account for the paymentsthe payments

(2) What were the apparent motives of (2) What were the apparent motives of management to commit a fraud in this situation?management to commit a fraud in this situation?

There was a need for drastic measures to There was a need for drastic measures to increase revenues within a relatively increase revenues within a relatively short short period of time. If management did not provide period of time. If management did not provide exemplary data, CTS would have been exemplary data, CTS would have been terminated. terminated.

3) Compute your best estimate of the damages that Second Union 3) Compute your best estimate of the damages that Second Union incurred as a result of delaying termination of the loan agreement with incurred as a result of delaying termination of the loan agreement with

CTS until May 12, 2001, versus the result if they had terminated the CTS until May 12, 2001, versus the result if they had terminated the agreement on December 31 1999 & 2000.agreement on December 31 1999 & 2000.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLEACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE 19991999 CTS recordedCTS recorded Should have recordedShould have recorded

Penn ServicesPenn Services 75,00075,000 00TempCoTempCo 0 0 77,34077,340

McDonaldMcDonald 58,99558,995 43,19243,192NexusNexus 119,432119,432 3,9623,962BoeingBoeing 75,41175,411 75,41175,411

SumSum 328,838328,838 199,905 199,905 Difference (adj. to A/R)Difference (adj. to A/R) (128,933) (128,933)

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLEACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE 20002000 CTS recordedCTS recorded Should have recordedShould have recorded

NexusNexus 187,210187,210 00CMI K/PCMI K/P 197,697197,697 00JLOJLO 77,20077,200 33,91733,917DCSDCS 57,33957,339 20,21120,211VortexVortex 174,135174,135 0 0

SumSum 693,581693,581 5412854128Difference (adj. to A/R)Difference (adj. to A/R) (639,453)(639,453)

3) Compute your best estimate of the damages that Second Union 3) Compute your best estimate of the damages that Second Union incurred as a result of delaying termination of the loan agreement with incurred as a result of delaying termination of the loan agreement with

CTS until May 12, 2001, versus the result if they had terminated the CTS until May 12, 2001, versus the result if they had terminated the agreement on December 31 1999 & 2000. agreement on December 31 1999 & 2000. ContinuedContinued

DAMAGESDAMAGES 19991999 20002000

CASHCASH 1,898 1,898 1,700 1,700

ADJ. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLEADJ. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE 894,690 894,690 1,105,354 1,105,354

896,588 896,588 1,107,0541,107,054

AMOUNT OWED TO 'SECOND UNION'AMOUNT OWED TO 'SECOND UNION' 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,300,000 1,300,000

DAMAGES (amount not recovered)DAMAGES (amount not recovered) (103,412)(103,412) (192,946) (192,946)

InIn 1999 1999 CTS recorded $1,023,623 as accounts receivable. The actual amount should have been CTS recorded $1,023,623 as accounts receivable. The actual amount should have been $797,683 ($1,023,623 – 225,940). If termination had occurred at December 31, 1999, Second $797,683 ($1,023,623 – 225,940). If termination had occurred at December 31, 1999, Second Union would have suffered Union would have suffered overover $100,000 in damages. $100,000 in damages.

InIn 2000 2000 CTS recorded $1,744,807 as accounts receivable. The actual amount should have been CTS recorded $1,744,807 as accounts receivable. The actual amount should have been $1,105,354 ($1,744,807 – 639,453). If termination had occurred in December 31, 2000, Second $1,105,354 ($1,744,807 – 639,453). If termination had occurred in December 31, 2000, Second

Union would have suffered Union would have suffered almostalmost $200,000 in damages. $200,000 in damages.

1. Distinguish between an error and fraud. Would management’s actions 1. Distinguish between an error and fraud. Would management’s actions in this case be considered an error or fraud? in this case be considered an error or fraud?

The factor that distinguishes fraud from error is described as being The factor that distinguishes fraud from error is described as being “whether the underlying action that results in the misstatement of the “whether the underlying action that results in the misstatement of the financial statements is intentional or unintentional.” If the misleading act is financial statements is intentional or unintentional.” If the misleading act is intentional, then it’s fraud.intentional, then it’s fraud.

Management was fully aware of the fraudulent financial reporting taking Management was fully aware of the fraudulent financial reporting taking place at CTS and there is enough evidence of the clear intention they had place at CTS and there is enough evidence of the clear intention they had in reporting misstated financial statements. James Roberts, CTS’s VP of in reporting misstated financial statements. James Roberts, CTS’s VP of Finance even admitted that many of the 1.8 million in Accounts Receivable Finance even admitted that many of the 1.8 million in Accounts Receivable would be uncollectible. would be uncollectible.

Auditing IssuesAuditing Issues

1. What is the auditor’s responsibility for discovering errors and/or 1. What is the auditor’s responsibility for discovering errors and/or fraud?fraud?

The Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 99, The Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 99, Consideration of Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement AuditFraud in a Financial Statement Audit provides auditors with additional provides auditors with additional guidance for detecting material fraud. guidance for detecting material fraud.

The standard reminds auditors that they must approach every audit with The standard reminds auditors that they must approach every audit with professional skepticism and not assume that management is honest. It puts professional skepticism and not assume that management is honest. It puts fraud at the forefront of the auditor's mind fraud at the forefront of the auditor's mind

Auditors will enter a much expanded arena of procedures to detect fraud as Auditors will enter a much expanded arena of procedures to detect fraud as they implement SAS no. 99. Under SAS no. 99, auditors will gather and they implement SAS no. 99. Under SAS no. 99, auditors will gather and consider much more information to assess fraud risks than they have in the consider much more information to assess fraud risks than they have in the past.past.

2. What2. What are some of the risk factors (red flags) that are are some of the risk factors (red flags) that are apparent in this case?apparent in this case?

Understanding symptoms of fraud is the key to detecting fraud. A Understanding symptoms of fraud is the key to detecting fraud. A symptom of fraud may be defined as a condition which is directly symptom of fraud may be defined as a condition which is directly attributable to dishonest fraudulent activity.attributable to dishonest fraudulent activity.

The following are representative examples of symptoms or red flags of The following are representative examples of symptoms or red flags of fraud in the Accounts Receivable process:fraud in the Accounts Receivable process: Frequent undocumented and/or unapproved adjustments, credits, and Frequent undocumented and/or unapproved adjustments, credits, and

write- offs to accounts receivable sub ledger. write- offs to accounts receivable sub ledger. Low turnover or slow collection cycle for accounts receivable. Low turnover or slow collection cycle for accounts receivable. Dramatic increase in allowance for doubtful accounts in view of Dramatic increase in allowance for doubtful accounts in view of

positive economic events and stringent credit policies. positive economic events and stringent credit policies. Insufficient supervisory review of accounts receivable activity as well Insufficient supervisory review of accounts receivable activity as well

as customer account aging schedule. as customer account aging schedule.

3. Do you believe that the audit approaches employed by M&S were in 3. Do you believe that the audit approaches employed by M&S were in accordance with GAAS? Why or why not?accordance with GAAS? Why or why not?

Auditors are responsible for carrying out their audits of financial Auditors are responsible for carrying out their audits of financial statements prepared by management in accordance with GAAS, which statements prepared by management in accordance with GAAS, which state that auditors are responsible for planning and performing their audits state that auditors are responsible for planning and performing their audits to obtain to obtain reasonable, though not absolute, assurance reasonable, though not absolute, assurance about whether the about whether the financial statements are free of financial statements are free of material material misstatement, whether caused by misstatement, whether caused by error or fraud. The purpose of independent audits therefore is not to error or fraud. The purpose of independent audits therefore is not to produce financial statements but rather to enhance their reliability.produce financial statements but rather to enhance their reliability.

M&S did perform their audit in accordance with GAAS since in the M&S did perform their audit in accordance with GAAS since in the procedures they performed in the first four years were carried out based on procedures they performed in the first four years were carried out based on an audit risk model. Confirmations were sent out, but due to the an audit risk model. Confirmations were sent out, but due to the difficultness in getting confirmations returned, they performed “alternative difficultness in getting confirmations returned, they performed “alternative procedures” from the fifth year on. These procedures included verification procedures” from the fifth year on. These procedures included verification of payment soon after year-end and prior to the end of the audit, of payment soon after year-end and prior to the end of the audit, questioning to management about the uncollectibility of unpaid accounts, questioning to management about the uncollectibility of unpaid accounts, and review of unpaid invoices and respective files. and review of unpaid invoices and respective files.

4. What additional evidential matter could have been acquired by M&S 4. What additional evidential matter could have been acquired by M&S (based on your knowledge of CTS’s customers and accounting records)?(based on your knowledge of CTS’s customers and accounting records)?

One of the general quality criteria for conducting an audit set forth by One of the general quality criteria for conducting an audit set forth by GAAS Field Work Standards relates to the collection of “Sufficient GAAS Field Work Standards relates to the collection of “Sufficient Competent Evidential Matter” which includes the collection and validation Competent Evidential Matter” which includes the collection and validation of sufficient competent evidence to afford a reasonable and logical basis of sufficient competent evidence to afford a reasonable and logical basis for audit decisions. Evidence includes the underlying accounting data and for audit decisions. Evidence includes the underlying accounting data and all available corroborating information. Competent evidence refers to what all available corroborating information. Competent evidence refers to what is valid and relevant for an audit decision. Sufficient recognizes that is valid and relevant for an audit decision. Sufficient recognizes that auditors will not audit all transactions and events but will rely on data auditors will not audit all transactions and events but will rely on data samples.samples.

In this case, M&S working papers provided competent but not sufficient In this case, M&S working papers provided competent but not sufficient evidential matter would have enabled them to form an opinion. evidential matter would have enabled them to form an opinion. Confirmations and alternative procedures performed were both valid and Confirmations and alternative procedures performed were both valid and relevant, therefore satisfying the competent quality, but in our opinion, the relevant, therefore satisfying the competent quality, but in our opinion, the sample size should have been larger so it could have satisfied the sufficient sample size should have been larger so it could have satisfied the sufficient quality that any evidential matter should have. quality that any evidential matter should have.

5. Based only on your analytical review of the CTS financial statements 5. Based only on your analytical review of the CTS financial statements and accounts receivable trial balances as of December 31, 1999 and 2000, and accounts receivable trial balances as of December 31, 1999 and 2000, was information available which should have alerted the auditors to the was information available which should have alerted the auditors to the potential of fraud and financial statement misstatement?potential of fraud and financial statement misstatement?

Performing analytical review of Accounts Receivable Aged Summary trial Performing analytical review of Accounts Receivable Aged Summary trial balances alone would not have adequately alerted auditors of the financial balances alone would not have adequately alerted auditors of the financial misstatement since the percentages across the different A/R account types misstatement since the percentages across the different A/R account types balances did not vary significantly from one year to the other. The “over balances did not vary significantly from one year to the other. The “over 90 days” class was a minimal portion of the Total Balance on both years, 90 days” class was a minimal portion of the Total Balance on both years, and actually improved from one year to the other (11 to 3%), but the and actually improved from one year to the other (11 to 3%), but the analytical review of the financial statements should have brought up to the analytical review of the financial statements should have brought up to the auditor’s attention that the Total Balance of Accounts Receivable did auditor’s attention that the Total Balance of Accounts Receivable did significantly increased from 1999 to 2000, perhaps providing auditors of a significantly increased from 1999 to 2000, perhaps providing auditors of a red flag if the allowance for doubtful accounts was not properly adjusted. red flag if the allowance for doubtful accounts was not properly adjusted.

The big upward change in Accounts Receivable would have been an The big upward change in Accounts Receivable would have been an indication that the company had changed the way it recognized revenue indication that the company had changed the way it recognized revenue and was padding its earnings with sales that were due for delivery in the and was padding its earnings with sales that were due for delivery in the future in order to increase current earnings.future in order to increase current earnings.

6. Was it appropriate for M&S to accept a fax confirmation from Nexus 6. Was it appropriate for M&S to accept a fax confirmation from Nexus Software as audit evidence in the confirmation process? What special Software as audit evidence in the confirmation process? What special concerns are there for the auditor in accepting faxes as audit evidence?concerns are there for the auditor in accepting faxes as audit evidence?

In some cases, the respondent to a confirmation request may use a In some cases, the respondent to a confirmation request may use a nontraditional medium to respond, such as telephone, telex, or facsimile. nontraditional medium to respond, such as telephone, telex, or facsimile. Use of these media can increase the possibility that confirmation results will Use of these media can increase the possibility that confirmation results will be biased because of interception and alteration of the confirmation requests be biased because of interception and alteration of the confirmation requests or responses. Recent litigation and enforcement actions indicate that auditors or responses. Recent litigation and enforcement actions indicate that auditors have indeed been duped by telephone, telex, and facsimile responses. have indeed been duped by telephone, telex, and facsimile responses.

The auditor should consider any special risks that may be associated with The auditor should consider any special risks that may be associated with such media as electronic inquiries, facsimile responses, or oral such media as electronic inquiries, facsimile responses, or oral confirmations when they are used in the confirmation process. The auditor is confirmations when they are used in the confirmation process. The auditor is advised to take precautions to ensure that the response is coming to the advised to take precautions to ensure that the response is coming to the auditor directly from the purported sender. CPAs should be on the lookout auditor directly from the purported sender. CPAs should be on the lookout for confirmations that are faxed or have similar signatures and/or for a for confirmations that are faxed or have similar signatures and/or for a pattern of post-office-box addresses for accounts receivable. pattern of post-office-box addresses for accounts receivable.

There was no wrongdoing from M&S in accepting a fax confirmation from There was no wrongdoing from M&S in accepting a fax confirmation from Nexus Software since it’s a type of confirmation allowed under GAAS, as Nexus Software since it’s a type of confirmation allowed under GAAS, as long as the confirmations are properly verified that they come directly from long as the confirmations are properly verified that they come directly from the customer and the receipt process is under control of the auditors and not the customer and the receipt process is under control of the auditors and not the client. the client.

7. Was M&S justified in their reliance on management 7. Was M&S justified in their reliance on management representations? Why or why not?representations? Why or why not?

Too often the auditors accept management representations about the Too often the auditors accept management representations about the collectibility of a particular receivable or class of receivables without collectibility of a particular receivable or class of receivables without adequately examining past collection experience or the reasonableness of adequately examining past collection experience or the reasonableness of management representations in light of market and industry conditions. management representations in light of market and industry conditions.

In some instances clever CFOs outsmart experienced auditors with In some instances clever CFOs outsmart experienced auditors with schemes intended to inflate the value of accounts receivable. The schemes schemes intended to inflate the value of accounts receivable. The schemes sometimes involve third parties who intercept and forge confirmations to sometimes involve third parties who intercept and forge confirmations to help friends and family members in the client company. help friends and family members in the client company.

In our opinion, M&S’s reliance on management representations were In our opinion, M&S’s reliance on management representations were justified since they performed their audit in accordance with GAAS and justified since they performed their audit in accordance with GAAS and alternative procedures performed in Accounts Receivables were adequate alternative procedures performed in Accounts Receivables were adequate as well. CTS Management even certified that all accounts receivable as well. CTS Management even certified that all accounts receivable amounts were according to the “agreements”, therefore they should carry amounts were according to the “agreements”, therefore they should carry the most weigh in the fraud scheme and be prosecuted accordingly.the most weigh in the fraud scheme and be prosecuted accordingly.