Internal control weaknesses in Competition Bikes Inc.'s purchase system

Internal Control

The purchase orders are not always considered by Competition Bikes Inc. In the company's purchase system, control authorization and record retention are not frequently addressed. Generally speaking, purchase orders are appropriate for merchandise purposes. On the contrary, the Competition Bikes Inc. pays for unordered goods or excessive quantity without referring to company financial policy.

Competition Bikes Inc. does not consider all pertinent information concerning formal commitments during the transaction. Obviously, delivery means, payment terms and account distribution should be considered for the purpose of transparency and accountability in business. On the other side, materials received early or late may result in business interruption or excessive levels of inventory.

Weakness Corrective Actions

Independency between purchasing agent or buyer and supplier should be maintained. This can be accomplished through periodic buyer rotation, participation in purchase contracts, or the use of commodity teams. Other compensating controls should exist if business conditions make the above impractical.

All purchase orders or access to input screens should be safeguarded and internal control procedures for processing and approval should be in place to prevent unauthorized use.

Cash receipts should be logged and deposited in the bank daily or as dictated by policy. The cash receipts log should be compared to bank statements and posted to the general ledger monthly.

Critical transactions in the Competition Bikes Inc. business cycles should be traceable, authorized, authenticated, have integrity and be retained in accordance with established and approved record retention policy.

Risk

Items for the process of Bikes may be received but not reported or reported inaccurately. Accordingly, unrecorded liabilities and misstated costs may occur. In addition, materials may be received early or late resulting in business interruption or excessive levels of inventory.

Competition Bike's Inc. may experience losses as a result of fraud. Generally speaking, most of these cases are committed by trusted associates and may occur in the recording or reporting of company's materials and revenues.

Sensitive payments, related party transactions, or conflict of interest situations may occur. The potential for errors and irregularities is substantially increased. In addition, purchase records may be misused or altered by unauthorized personnel to the detriment of the Competition Bikes Inc. And the suppliers.

Compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley

Even though the Competition Bikes Inc. applies Sarbanes Act, the financial statements issued to the public are not prepared in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Accordingly, policies and procedures are not being properly or consistently applied by the top management team. Generally speaking, reports are not accurate and critical decisions may not easily be determined from the information.

Account balances are not properly prepared and financial reports are not reviewed since there are some omissions which may be for the purposes of concealing irregularities or shortages in the company. This shows clearly that Competition Bikes Inc. is not consistent to Sarbanes-Oxley Act and exposes opportunities that may render the company into losses or otherwise compromised.

Corrective Action Plan

Accounting policies and procedures should be in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act and company defined policy. Additionally, new accounting policies or changes to existing policies should be properly researched, reviewed and documented. Accredited financial personnel should authorize all changes in accounting policies where necessary. Consequently, adherence to monthly, quarterly and annual closing and reporting schedules and cut-offs should be strict and consistent to Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other certified accounting firms.

Competition Bikes Inc. should establish a proper control process and regulation. Alternatively, this will ensure correct accountability of physical assets and compensating controls are established at all locations as required by Sarbanes-Oxley Act.