As this clients auditor, you have been tasked with identifying any weaknesses in the existing internal control system. Discuss any weaknesses or failures of Lob Mentality and recommend suggestions for each of the weaknesses you identify.

Lob Mentality is a regional chain of tennis athletic clubs. The Lob Mentality location in Orange County is open 7 days a week, from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Just inside the front doors is a reception desk where an employee greets patrons. Members must present their membership card to be scanned by the bar code reader, and visitors pay a $16 daily fee.

When the employee at the desk collects daily fees, he or she also has the visitor complete a waiver form. The employee then deposits any cash in a locked box and files the forms. At the end of each day, the club accountant collects the cash box, opens it, removes the cash, and counts it. The accountant then gives a receipt for the cash amount to the employee at the desk. The accountant takes the cash to the bank each evening. The next morning, the accountant makes an entry in the cash receipts journal for the amount indicated on the bank deposit slip.

Paula Richmond, the General Manager at the Orange County club, has some concerns about the internal controls over cash. However, she is concerned that the cost of additional controls may outweigh any benefits. She decides to ask the organizations independent auditor to review the internal control procedures and to make suggestions for improvement.