State two specific functions or jobs that should be segregated in the sales processing system

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March 8, 2012February 17, 2019

State two specific functions or jobs that should be segregated in the sales processing system
A key concept of internal controls within an organization is segregation of duties. Segregation of duties helps to significantly reduce the risk of error or fraud. Do you know which duties need segregation? Here is a little refresher on some of the control activities that should be segregated when it comes to accounts receivable and sales.

When it comes to shipping products, processing sales orders, invoicing products, processing sales adjustments and product returns, processing sales and processing cash receipts, you should be sure there is adequate segregation of duties among those who:

  • Approve terms of sale
  • Process sales orders
  • Record sales orders
  • Authorize shipments
  • Initiate shipping documents
  • Invoice customers
  • Collect accounts receivable
  • Post cash receipts to accounts receivable subledger
  • Review accounts receivable aging trial balance
  • Authorize write-offs of delinquent accounts
  • Independently investigate accounts receivable discrepancies
  • Maintain or authorize accounts receivable adjustments
  • Edit the accounts receivable master file
  • Process customer service calls and complaints
  • Investigate discrepancies or issues related to revenue.
  • Open the mail or copy checks received
  • Maintain access to cash
  • Prepare deposits
  • Deposit cash receipts

An easy way to check for adequate segregation of duties is to take the above list and place a name next to each process to see where there may be too many duties on one person’s plate. You should then look for a single person who has the ability to abuse their power within a system or that can make significant errors without it being detected. Additionally, depending on your company’s size, functions and designations may vary.

When duties cannot be separated, compensating controls should be in place. These controls should be designed to reduce the risk of an existing or potential control weakness. If you are unsure of a good way to segregate these duties in a smaller organization, you may consider asking your CPA for suggestions.

Henry+Horne

Segregation of duties means keeping particular job duties separate by assigning them to different staff members. This system helps to prevent mistakes and fraud. Much like the government's system of checks and balances, the separation of duties allows different staff members or departments to question each other in order to analyze and rectify mistakes. Segregation of duties is crucial in sales departments due to the continual processing of funds.

Specific Functions

  1. Separate individuals hold responsibility for authorization, approval, accounting and asset custody when a sales department segregates duties. Authorization includes requests for purchases. Approval of purchases must take place before purchases can be made. Accounting involves record keeping of all transactions, and asset custody involves handling of financial assets.

Preventing Dishonesty

  1. Separating these duties ensures staff members oversee one another. This makes fraud more difficult, as another staff member will likely catch the fraud and incriminate the guilty party. No single party can act in his own best interest at the expense of the company under this system. If the company offers credit, the sales and credit functions must remain separate so salespeople don't offer credit simply to gain a commission. The person who sends customers their bills must not be the same person who collects or deposits payments; this way the person cannot request too high of an amount and keep the extra for himself.

Catching Errors

  1. Segregation of duties also gives staff members an opportunity to question a judgment error or catch a mistake before it becomes a problem. For example, if one sales staff member requested 2,000 of an item instead of 200, the staff member responsible for approval may catch the error. Human error happens in every company, and a sales department can prevent losses from these errors by requiring employees to oversee one another.

Methods

  1. If using an automated data system, the system must prompt staff members for passwords when they log in. Staff members must have different passwords that allow access to different parts of the system. This way the information remains centralized, but staff members cannot gain access to the entire system simply by logging in. A department can also use a manual system, where staff members record sales records and other information by hand or via a non-centralized software program. These systems also keep most staff members from having easy access to customers' credit card numbers.

Alternatives

  1. Small companies don't always have enough staff members to segregate duties in this way. In this case, the company must require a supervisor to monitor the functions that typically remain separated in different job roles. The supervisor would review transaction records, new inventory requests and payments received, for instance.

Which function should verify that the goods sent from the warehouse are correct in type and quantity?

'Goods receiving' is the function of checking items delivered to the business, either coming in as new stock or as supplies. This includes inspecting the quality, condition, and quantity of any incoming goods, and allocating them to a space in the warehouse.

Which function or department reconciles and posts to the general ledger accounts?

The AR clerk prepares a summary of changes in account balances, which is sent to the general ledger department. Upon receipt of the journal voucher and account summary from cash receipts and AR, respectively, the general ledger clerk reconciles the information and posts to the control accounts.

What specific internal control procedure would prevent the shipping clerk from taking goods from the storeroom?

What specific internal control procedure would prevent the shipping clerk from taking goods from the storeroom and sending them to someone who had not placed an order? Shipping clerk should not have access to the storeroom.

What are the risks associated for revenue processes?

Common risks associated with the revenue cycle include the authorization or accuracy of sales contracts with clients. You must ensure prices are quoted correctly following your sales pricing policy.