Strengths in the internal control system Dentistar’s internal control system has some …show more content…
Budgets are prepared for an entire year at a time instead of monthly or quarterly, using simple growth and inflation factors. Most variables cannot be determined that far in advance and budgets must be revisited more often. Additionally, employees have no input or involvement in decision-making. They have less commitment to goals that are in the interest of the company, and are more likely to act unethically when opportunities to do so arise. Lastly, financial closing and the methods for financial review are problematic. Regional management has no involvement in processing revenues and expenses, such as payroll and cash receipts that they directly affect. Involving these members in the closing process is important to clue them into opportunities for improvement and possible internal control issues. Also, corporate accountants only compare uninformative check stubs to the bank statement when reconciling, not making sure that expenses are legitimate in any way.
Recommendations for procedural changes to correct weaknesses There are a multitude of ways that the cash disbursement process is flawed, and Dentistar must take steps to improve its internal control measures or these problems will be an even greater detriment to future operations. They should commission a company to create an internet portal, put audit provisions in place, reevaluate budgeting