The principal activity of Bateleur Zoo Gardens (BZG) is the conservation of animals. Approximately 80 per cent
Question:
The principal activity of Bateleur Zoo Gardens (BZG) is the conservation of animals. Approximately 80 per cent of the zoo's income comes from admission fees, money spent in the food and retail outlets, and animal sponsorship. The remainder comprises donations and investment income. Admission fees include day visitor entrance fees and annual membership fees. Day tickets may be pre-booked by credit card using a telephone booking 'hotline' or via the zoo's website. Reduced fees are available (e.g. to students, senior citizens and families). Animal sponsorships, which last for one year, make a significant contribution to the cost of specialist diets, enclosure maintenance and veterinary care. Animal sponsors benefit from the advertisement of their names at the sponsored animal's enclosure. BZG's management has identified the following applicable risks that require further consideration and are to be actively managed:
(i) Reduction in admission income through failure to invest in new exhibits and breeding programmed to attract visitors.
(ii) Animal sponsorships may not be invoiced due to incomplete data transfer between the sponsoring and invoicing departments.
(iii) Corporate sponsorships may not be charged for at approved rates - either in error or due to arrangements with the companies. In particular, the sponsoring department may not notify the invoicing department of reciprocal arrangements, whereby sponsoring companies provide BZG with advertising (e.g. in company magazines and annual reports).
(iv) Cash received at the entrance gate ticket offices ('kiosks') may not be passed to cashiers in the accounts department (e.g. through theft).
(v) The ticket booking and issuing system may not be available.
(vi) Donations of animals to the collection (e.g. from Customs and Excise seizures and rare breeds enthusiasts) may not be recorded.
Required:
(a) Describe suitable internal controls to manage each of the applicable risks identified.
(b) Explain the financial statement risks arising from the applicable risks.
(c) Comment on the factors to be considered when planning the extent of substantive analytical procedures to be performed on BZG’s income.
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