Question $5(15$ marks$)$

Consider the accounting situations described below:

The law firm of Douglas and Gere has been extremely busy in recent months. It needs another lawyer but has not had the chance to hire one. In the meantime, one of the secretaries has been preparing briefs, writing up wills, and preparing the closing papers for various real estate deals.

Tobey Smith, an accounting clerk, is responsible for opening the mail, recording and depositing cash receipts, as well as preparing the monthly bank reconciliation. Tobey has not taken a vacation in over $5$ years.

Carole Tobias purchases supplies for Darcey Company and stores them in a locked room for which she has the key. She is also responsible for distributing these supplies to employees upon request. At the end of each month, Carole takes an inventory of the supplies on hand and notifies the accounting department of the amount of the adjusting entry for supplies used.

Required

a$.$ For the law firm of Douglas and Gere, identify the internal control weakness, the business's potential problem, and suggest a resolution.

b$.$ For Tobey Smith, identify the internal control weakness, the business's potential problem, and suggest a resolution.

c$.$ For Carole Tobias, identify the internal control weakness, the business's potential problem, and suggest a resolution.