Chong Manufacturing Limited (CML) is a small manufacturer that supplies parts to the
automotive industry. CML deals primarily with second tier companies, and does not
deal with the car manufacturers directly. Last year, CML was required to implement
EDI (electronic data interchange), otherwise two of its major customers would have
taken their business elsewhere.
The installation was provided by Simon’s Computer Company, a local computer store
with expertise in EDI. One of CML’s customers, Delta Parts Limited, also sent a
purchasing agent to CML to help train staff at CML in the use of EDI and to walk
through the first few transactions with CML accounting personnel to ensure that they
could use the system effectively.
A typical EDI sale is processed as follows:
Delta sends a purchase order to CML, which is received via the internet into an EDI
in-basket. CML empties the EDI in-basket using its EDI software every hour, and the
EDI software edits the purchase order for completeness and obvious errors. If there are
no problems, then the purchase order is printed out and used by CML to process the
order.
Once the order has been processed, CML prepares its shipping documentation and
invoice using its normal packaged accounting software. The shipping document and the
electronic invoice are transferred to the EDI software and placed in an EDI out-basket.
Accounting staff transmit the contents of the EDI out-basket to their customer (e.g.
Delta).
Once Delta receives the electronic shipping documents and electronic invoices, it will
transfer the funds electronically to CML’s bank account to pay for the goods delivered.
This means that CML receives payment much faster than when invoices were mailed to
customers.
Required:
A) What is the impact of the new EDI system on the audit engagement?
B) List some controls that should be included in the new EDI system.