Listed below are audit situations that may affect the audit of receivables and revenue.
a. The audit of a construction company that enters into long-term construction contracts.
b. Kidz Toy Manufacturing Co. introduced a number of new products in the last quarter of the year. The company has a liberal return policy allowing retail customers to return products within 120 days of purchase.
For each circumstance, provide an indication of its audit significance and any special audit procedures that would result.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
a. Construction Company with Long-Term Contracts
Audit Significance:
Revenue recognition for long-term construction contracts is complex and carries a high risk of material misstatement. Companies often use the percentage-of-completion method or cost-to-cost method, which requires significant estimates and judgments about costs, project completion, and collectability. There is also a risk of premature revenue recognition or manipulating estimates to achieve desired financial outcomes.
Special Audit Procedures:
- Review contract terms and evaluate the appropriateness of the revenue recognition method.
- Test the reasonableness of estimated costs to complete and compare with historical trends or industry norms.
- Inspect documentation supporting project progress, such as engineer’s certifications or project manager reports.
- Recalculate revenue based on actual costs incurred versus estimated total costs.
- Evaluate the adequacy of disclosures related to revenue recognition policies and contract balances.
b. Kidz Toy Manufacturing Co. with Liberal Return Policy
Audit Significance:
The introduction of many new products and a liberal return policy increases the risk of overstated revenues and accounts receivable. Customers may return products after year-end, which affects the cutoff assertion and the valuation of sales and receivables. New product launches may also experience higher return rates.
Special Audit Procedures:
- Analyze historical return rates and adjust revenue accordingly, especially for sales made near year-end.
- Perform cutoff tests around year-end to ensure sales and returns are recorded in the correct period.
- Inspect sales invoices, shipping documents, and return authorizations.
- Review post-year-end return transactions to assess the adequacy of return reserves.
- Evaluate the reasonableness of the sales return allowance, and ensure proper disclosure.
Conclusion (Summary of Significance)
Both cases highlight judgmental areas in revenue recognition: long-term contracts involve estimating performance, while liberal return policies require estimation of returns. In both, auditors must apply professional skepticism and design targeted audit procedures to mitigate risks of misstated revenue and receivables.
