32) 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.