Revenue Process Internal Control For Manufacturers: An Evaluation Tool For Independent Auditors And Managers

Abstract

Effective management of the revenue process is critical to the success and long-run viability of any business. The revenue process also entails an elevated risk area for financial reporting fraud (AICPA 2002; Beasley et al., 2010). Accordingly, this important process demands heightened attention from independent auditors and company managers, and internal control activities must be considered as part of the ongoing evaluations of this important area. This paper presents a tool for evaluating internal control objectives and activities pertinent to the revenue process for companies operating in the manufacturing sector. This evaluation tool may be used by independent auditors as a general benchmark in performing a preliminary evaluation of a manufacturing clients internal control over the revenue process. Independent auditors who will find the tool most useful will primarily be those wishing to comply with U.S. Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), including those performing integrated audit engagements in accordance with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 5 and the new requirements set forth in the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commissions (COSO) Internal Control Integrated Framework. In instances where important internal control activities have been omitted from the clients system, the auditor should consider whether the omission increases the risk of material misstatement. This tool may also be used by managers to evaluate the adequacy of their companys internal control activities within the revenue process.