P5-61A. (Learning Objectives 1, 2: Learning about fraud; identifying internal control weakness) Each of the following situations reveals an internal control weakness:

a. In evaluating the internal control over cash payments of Bermingham Manufacturing, an auditor learns that the purchasing agent is responsible for purchasing diamonds for use in the company’s manufacturing process, approving the invoices for payment, and signing the checks. No supervisor reviews the purchasing agent’s work.

b. Mary Angela owns an architectural firm. Angela’s staff consists of 20 professional architects, and Angela manages the office. Often, Angela’s work requires her to travel to meet with clients. During the past six months, Angela has observed that when she returns from a business trip, the architecture jobs in the office have not progressed satisfactorily.

Angela learns that when she is away, three of her senior architects take over office management and neglect their normal duties. One employee could manage the office.

c. J. T. Derby has been an employee of the City of Maron for many years. Because the city is small, Derby performs all accounting duties, plus opening the mail, preparing the bank deposit, and preparing the bank reconciliation.

Requirements 1. Identify the missing internal control characteristic in each situation.

2. Identify each firm’s possible problem.

3. Propose a solution to the problem.