Which of the following is an effective internal control over accounts receivable?

Internal Control Procedures for Accounts Receivable

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II. Internal Control Procedures
III. Bad Debt Write-Offs
What are internal controls for accounts receivable?
Which of the following is a method of establishing control over collections of accounts receivable?
Which of the following statements about internal controls is correct?
What are the internal controls for receivables and sales transactions give examples and explain?

A bookkeeping and accounting system needs internal control procedures for accounts receivable in order to minimize the risk of fraud, error and loss.

The purpose of accounts receivable internal controls is to ensure that sales invoices are properly recorded and that customers pay promptly in accordance with the agreed terms of business.

The internal control procedures for accounts receivable checklist below acts as a quick reference, and sets out the most commonly encountered techniques available when dealing with internal controls for accounts receivable.

Internal Control Procedures for Accounts Receivable Checklist

Policy

The business should have well documented policies and procedures on accounts receivable internal controls such as credit and collection policies, to ensure that all staff understand the accounts receivable process.

Segregation of Duties

Segregate the duties of staff. Have different people deal with invoicing, accounts receivable, cash collection, and the review and reconciliation of accounting records.

Receive Purchase Order from Customer

Check purchase order prices, terms, and conditions.

Check authorization levels for order approval.

Check the credit rating of the customer.

Check the account balance limits.

Create a Sales Order

Compare the sales order and purchase order

Stamp the sales order approved.

Prepare Sales Invoice

Prepare a prenumbered sales invoice.

Check the accuracy of invoice calculations.

Check the customers invoice address and promptly send the invoice to the customer.

Independently review customer complaints about invoices.

Separate the invoicing function from the cash collection function.

Reconcile the goods dispatched to the customer to the quantities shown on the sales invoice.

Post the Sales Journal

Post the sales journal from a copy invoice as soon as the transaction occurs, and file the invoices by invoice number

Use the sales journal totals to post the accounts receivable control account in the general ledger.

Post the Accounts Receivable Ledger

Post the accounts receivable ledger from a copy sales invoice as soon as the transaction occurs, and file unpaid invoices in invoice date order to ensure invoices are not paid late.

Separate the accounts receivable function and cash collection function.

Carry out random spot checks on customer trading activity and check for signs of unusual activity.

Review credit balances on accounts receivable accounts.

Produce an aged accounts receivable report and review the balances, particularly on large and overdue accounts.

Have a strict credit control procedure for collecting outstanding accounts receivable.

Review all journal entries made to the accounts receivable ledger accounts.

Check cash settlements discounts given to customers.

Reconcile the accounts receivable ledger with the accounts receivable control account in the general ledger.

This checklist is not exhaustive and each business must develop its own policies and procedures to suit its objectives.

By implementing and using a series of accounts receivable internal controls a business can ensure that the risk of fraud and error is reduced, and that the accounting information produced it is accurate and complete. In this way, the business can be confident in using the income statements, balance sheets, and cash flows statements produced by the bookkeeping and accounting system as a basis on which to make operational decisions.

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GAP 200.035, Accounts Receivable Control Procedures

Procedure:
GAP 200.035, Accounts Receivable Control Procedures

Effective Date:
March 1994

I. General

II. Internal Control Procedures

III. Bad Debt Write-Offs

I. General

Each area of Duke University having accounts receivable should establish procedures to insure that accounts receivable G/L accounts reflect net realizable receivables and to provide adequate internal control. Refer to G/L accounts 14xxxx for a list of current accounts receivable G/L accounts.

II. Internal Control Procedures

The maintenance of the receivable accounts and related subsidiary ledgers should be separated, wherever practicable, from the functions of (1) establishing the charges to the receivables accounts, (2) recording cash receipts and preparing the deposits, and (3) approval of any adjustments or write-off to any receivable accounts.
When necessary, subsidiary ledgers should be established. A trial balance of the subsidiary ledgers should be taken at the end of each fiscal period and reconciled with the related control account. Differences should be investigated and adjusted promptly.
All charges, collections, and adjustments to the accounts pertaining to a fiscal month should be recorded for an appropriate cut-off at the end of the fiscal period.
Billings to students, patients, and others should be issued in a timely manner.
Billing and collection transactions should be reviewed periodically to ensure compliance with established procedures.
Past due accounts should be reviewed monthly and follow-up collection efforts made.
If necessary, a reserve for doubtful accounts should be established to reflect the net collectible valuation of the related receivable account. Review procedures should be established to provide a realistic reserve based on past collection experience and anticipated losses on the receivables.
Requirements for approval of write-off of accounts determined to be bad debts and adjustments for disputed amounts or other items should be established.

III. Bad Debt Write-Offs

When a receivable must be written off as bad debt, follow the applicable procedure outlined below:

If there is a reserve account for the receivable G/L account, credit the receivable G/L account and debit the reserve G/L account; subsequent collections of such items should be credited to G/L account 691100, Bad Debt Expense – Contra.
If no reserve account has been established, credit the receivable G/L account and debit G/L account 695600, Losses, Damages, and Other Write-offs; subsequent collection of such items should be credited to G/L account 695600.

What are internal controls for accounts receivable?

The purpose of accounts receivable internal controls is to ensure that sales invoices are properly recorded and that customers pay promptly in accordance with the agreed terms of business.

Which of the following is a method of establishing control over collections of accounts receivable?

One method of establishing proper internal control over collections of accounts receivable is to: establish a bank lock box.

Which of the following statements about internal controls is correct?

Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is option D. A strong internal control system provides reasonable assurance that the objectives of a company will be accomplished. Sound internal control can provide a reasonable assurance that the company's objectives can be accomplished.

What are the internal controls for receivables and sales transactions give examples and explain?

Common internal controls over the sales cycle include numbered sales invoices, purchase order authorization over a certain limit and authorization over receivables write-offs. The auditor selects a random sample of transactions and examines the related purchase orders, invoices and customer statements.