Case 1.3 Just for Feet

The Saks Fifth Avenue case study concentrates on the human aspects of internal controls. Of note are Saks’ zero-tolerance policy of employee theft, anti-harassment policy and complaint procedure. Also, the case study highlights control activities in a major retail store. Finally, it questions what an auditor’s role is concerning employee’s work environment.

The chances of failures can be decreased by executing the checks on the systems. These keep an eye on the systems preventing risks from occurring, and these checks are avoided as the interior controls. The motivation behind the inner controls is to keep the organization safe from risks associated with the modernized accounting-system risks. Organizations change their manual accounting systems to computerized accounting systems for different reasons, this incorporates the points of interest, and the explanation behind utilizing electronic accounting information is instinct. The organizations embrace the policies of their

CAS 300 requires auditors to their audit using a risk based model where the nature, timing and extent of audit procedures are based on the assessed risk of material misstatement. Pickett (2006) argues that for audits to be effective and efficient, much of the audit effort should be focused on areas that are considered to pose the highest audit risk. Additional audit procedures should be linked to individual audit assertions whereas other audit procedures need to be performed as and when needed. Thus, for an audit plan to be put in place, it is necessary for an auditor to come up with a risk profile of the client comprising an understanding of the business operating by the audit client, assess business risk and also perform its preliminary analytical review.

#2. Internal Control Risks; audit planning decisions. Some internal control risks common among large, high-volume retail stores include dealing with inherent limitations and potential fraud. Even if a well-designed internal control system is in place, the employees using it are ultimately the deciding factors in its effectiveness. For example, management may instruct an employee or easily-influenced executive (of another company) to alter information or confirmations or multiple employees may conspire to steal assets or misstate records (collusion; misappropriation of assets).

Account W/P Common Common # Title Ref. Balance Size Balance Size Amount Percentage REVENUE 40000 Sales 246,172,918.44 102.33% 245,213,452.88 106.40% -959,465.56 -0.39% 41000 Sales Returns 4,497,583.20 1.87% 13,600,220.89 5.90% 9,102,637.69 202.39% 42000 Warranty Exp 1,100,281.48 0.46% 1,158,128.47 0.50% 57,846.99 5.26% Net Sales 240,575,053.76 100.00% 230,455,103.52 100.00% (10,119,950.24) -4.21% EXPENSES 50000 COGS 141,569,221.61 58.85% 130,246,645.26 56.52% (11,322,576.35) -8.00% Gross Margin 99,005,832.15 41.15% 100,208,458.26 43.48% 1,202,626.11 1.21% GA-7.4

With every internal control weakness a company needs to identify either a control policy or control procedure that will help prevent error or fraud from occuring in the future. Based on my suggestions as to what weaknesses existed at Goodner Brothers, Inc. I have suggested the policies or procedures that could be implemented to help prevent future issues. The internal control I would implement to hinder employee access to the accounting system would be to secure all computer programs with individual usernames and passwords to prevent access from others. The bookkeeper should be the only employee with access to the accounting system and to test this procedure the company would need to try and access the software without a username and password. To monitor the storage warehouse situation, the company should install computer scanning systems and video cameras at each location to supervize whether tires are being scanned in and out upon delivery and pick-up and to determine who and when these transactions are taking place. Semi-annual reviews should be conducted by sales managers to evaluate their sales representative. In addition, strengthening the tone at the top mentality should lie in the hands of each owner by personally reviewing all sales managers to create a top down effect.

Auditors have the responsibilities as well as management to report internal controls. The auditors must examine closely management’s claim of effectiveness and also physically test the controls. After the examination, the auditors should express their opinion and any recommendations to fix any internal control weaknesses.

Internal controls represent an organization’s processes and procedures used to meet its goals and objectives and serve as a defense in safeguarding assets and preventing and detecting errors, fraud, and abuse. Effective internal controls provide reasonable assurance that an organization’s objectives are achieved through (1) reliable financial reporting, (2) compliance with laws and regulations, and (3) effective and efficient operations. The passing of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the numerous corporate frauds and bankruptcies over the past decade—including some

Performing internal tests of controls is intended to assess the operating effectiveness of those internal controls. Here the staff would select an area of control to test, perhaps inventory management and return policy. They would then look at the procedures that help prevent fraud or error, talk to management, and observe activities. They would notice there is very little control in place for this area. There is no management oversight or dock security measures, no direct recording of sales receipts, shipping labels, or matching to accounts receivable. This would be noted as an area of additional concern. The next stage is to perform substantive testing procedures, where the purpose is to collect audit evidence that the management assertions made in the financial statements are reliable and in accordance with GAAP. Since my staff is good, they would have noticed the company’s sales projections are weak in control and are overstated by around 11%. They would perform a substantive test of detail in this area by selecting a sample of items from the account balances and finding bank statements, invoices, and test of details of balances. They would likely see specifically where the over-projections are being made. Lastly, in finalization, they would compile a report to management detailing any important matters, evaluating the audit evidence, and considering the type of audit opinion that should be reported. Specifically here, they would

The productive assets of property, plant, and equipment changed dramatically in 1996 they were 5,581 to 2010 an increase to 21,706. In total current assets there was a increase in 1996 from 5,910 to in 2010 21,579. Another significant change is in long term debt in 1996 of 1,116 to in 2010 an increase to 14,041. Also an important figure to note is in the retained earning in 1996 they were 94% (15,127) to 2010 68%

Just For Feet, Inc. operates retail stores in the brand name athletic and outdoor footwear and apparel market. Just for Feet was found in 1977 with the opening of a small mall based store and opened its first super store in 1988. Because of their success and high sales volume generates by the large store Company has concentrate primarily on develop and refining its superstore concept. As of January 1999, they operate 120 superstores, which 23 superstores opened in fiscal 1997 and 26 superstores opened in fiscal 1998. Just for Feet plans to open 25 stores during fiscal year 1999 and 2000. In 1997, Just for Feet acquired Athletic Attic and Imperial Sports, which are now operated as the specialty store division of the

Balance Sheet: Assets, such as Cash and Cash equivalents are up over last year by $20.72 million dollars, whereas Short Term Investments where 0 at the end of 2013 they were slightly up to $1.12 by January 3, 2015. Other Assets shows a drop of $8.26 million dollars, mostly in Property, Plant and Equipment. Based on the 10-K report the balance sheet was in the thousands other web based financial reporting sites show the numbers to be in the millions. Upon further review of the Balance Sheet from the financial website “Watch” the break down in Property, Plant and Equipment shows the biggest difference in the Accumulated Depreciation. (Market Watch) The Vertical Ratio for 2014 Total Current Assets is 3% of the Total Assets and in 2013 was also 3%. The Horizontal Ratio for Total Asset were 37% reflecting a change from 2014 at $212.05 and 2013 $195.61 signaling a significant increase in 2014. The 2015 financial were not completed at the time of this report but the

Despite the management claims that its internal control system is functioning properly as reflected in the Statement on Risk Management and Internal Control prepared in accordance with Guidelines 2012 , there are omission of several internal control factors that may lead to management's incentive for misrepresentation and affect the control risk.

A business can not work out without an account system, which includes internal. Internal controls are used by companies to make sure financial information is accurate and valid. Strong internal controls are signs of a financially healthy company and protect the company’s integrity. Strong internal controls can also increase a company’s profitability. There are several types of internal controls that companies used to protect themselves such as: Segregation of duties, asset purchases, supervisor review, internal audits and adequate documents and records. This paper will discuss several topics from a case study about And the Fraud

Effective internal controls protect a company’s assets, maintain compliance, improve operations, prevent fraud, and promote accuracy in financial reporting. In 1992 the