Category Archives for "Accounting and Auditing"

Corporate Account Takeover

By Charles Hall | Accounting and Auditing , Fraud , Local Governments

Corporate account takeovers can cost you millions. 

Some thieves gain control of company bank accounts using a corporate account takeover scheme. And with that control, they steal money. Below you’ll see how this type of theft occurs.

On March 17, 2010, cyber thieves hacked into the computers of Choice Escrow and stole the login ID and password to their online banking account. With that information, the thieves were able to submit a $440,000 wire transfer from Choice Escrow’s bank account to an account in Cyprus.

When Choice Escrow and the bank were unable to resolve their differences, Choice Escrow filed suit. The back-and-forth legal battle lasted until March 18, 2013, when a court ruled the loss was the responsibility of Choice Escrow. A major determining factor in the decision was Choice Escrow’s refusal of the dual control security mechanism offered by Bancorpsouth Bank. According to Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code, if an institution offers a reasonable security procedure to a commercial customer and that customer turns down that security procedure, then the customer is liable in the event of a loss.

Bancorpsouth Bank offered dual control to Choice Escrow twice. Not only did the bank offer this security feature to Choice Escrow, but Bancorpsouth also documented the customer’s refusal to use the security feature. The documentation of the customer’s refusal of the security features was a determining factor in this case. From a bank’s perspective, this case underscores the importance of a written agreement with commercial online banking customers and, more importantly, the importance of documenting the security procedures offered to those customers. From a user’s perspective, the case highlights the need to use the security procedures offered.

Corporate Account Takeover

Corporate account takeover is a term which has become more prevalent over recent years. Generally speaking, corporate account takeover occurs when an unauthorized person or entity gains access or control over another entity’s finances or bank accounts. This usually results in the theft of money in the form of fraudulent wire transfers or ACH transactions.

These fraud schemes first began to be noticed in 2005 but have since become much more widespread and frequent. Recent statistics have revealed that the fraudsters carrying out these schemes are actually becoming less successful in getting money out of a bank account. This reduction is due to both increased efforts on the part of the financial institutions, as well as better education of the customer to help them avoid becoming a target.

Usually, the financial institutions themselves are not the targets of the attack but rather the corporate customers of the institution. Using malware, social engineering, and various other methods, the fraudster obtains information about the customer’s online banking credentials. Once the online banking credentials have been obtained, a request for wire or ACH transfers is placed by the thief. Any business may be targeted for these types of attacks, but those at risk mostly are small businesses, governments, and nonprofits who have limited resources to protect against such threats.

So take these precautions to lessen the chance of a corporate account takeover. 

Supplementary Information: Audits

By Charles Hall | Auditing

• Accounting information and
• Nonaccounting information

• Determine whether the information is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole

Sample Opinion Language

For examples of presenting the supplementary language (1) in the standard opinion or (2) separately, click here.

Notice that an opinion is rendered on supplementary information. No opinion is given in regard to other information.

• Reading the other information in order to identify any material inconsistencies with audited financial statements

• Management discussion and analysis (MD&A) for governments
• Estimates of current or future costs of future major repairs and replacements for common interest realty associations

• Inquiry of management about methods used to create information
• Comparing the information for consistency with management responses and the financial statements
• Obtaining written representations from management

Supplementary Information in Compilations and Review Engagements

You can see information about supplementary information wording for compilation or review reports here. Also, see my post about presenting supplementary information in compilation and preparation engagements.

Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory

By Charles Hall | Accounting

Are you up to speed on ASU 2015-11 Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory? This post assists in understanding the new accounting measurement for inventory.

Inventory Measurement Accounting

ASU 2015-11 requires that entities measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value (LCNRV), provided they don’t use the last-in-first-out method (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. Entities using LIFO or the retail inventory method will continue to use the lower of cost or market (where market is replacement cost). Entities using the first-in-first-out (FIFO), average cost, or any other cost flow methods (other than LIFO and the retail inventory methods) should use the lower of cost or net realizable value approach.

So, where applicable, market is being replaced by net realizable value.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s glossary defines net realizable value as follows:

Estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.

Why the change? FASB is working to simplify some accounting standards. FASB had received comments from stakeholders that the requirement to subsequently measure inventory was “unnecessarily complex because there are several potential outcomes.”

Why did FASB not require the LCNRV method for all entities? The summary section of ASU 2015-11 says,  “The Board received feedback from stakeholders that the proposed amendments would reduce costs and increase comparability for inventory measured using FIFO or average cost but potentially could result in significant transition costs that would not be justified by the benefits for inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method…Therefore, the Board decided to limit the scope of the simplification to exclude inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method.”

What Disclosure is Required for the Change in Accounting Principle?

BC16 of ASU 2015-11 states the following:

The Board decided that the only disclosures required at transition should be the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle. The Board concluded that the costs of a quantitative disclosure about the change from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value would not justify the benefits because a reporting entity would be required in the year of adoption to measure inventory using both existing requirements and the amendments in this Update, and because the change would not be significant for some entities.

An entity is required only to disclose the nature and reason for the change in accounting principle in the first interim and annual period of adoption.

Sample ASU 2015-11 Disclosures

Here is a sample disclosure from Mercer International Inc.’s 10-K:

Accounting Pronouncements Implemented

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (“ASU 2015–11”) which requires that inventory within the scope of this update, including inventory stated at average cost, be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This update is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of ASU 2015–11 did not impact the Company’s financial position.

Here is a sample disclosure from Delta Apparel, Inc.’s 10-K:

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, (“ASU 2015–11“).  This new guidance requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Currently, entities measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. ASU 2015–11 replaces market with net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured under last-in, first-out or the retail inventory method.  ASU 2015–11 requires prospective adoption for inventory measurements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years for public business entities.  Early application is permitted.  ASU 2015–11 will, therefore, be effective in our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017. We are evaluating the effect that ASU 2015–11 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures, but do not believe it will have a material impact.

Here is a sample disclosure from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.’s 10-K:

Effective Dates for ASU 2015-11

For public business entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period.

Twenty Mistakes that CPAs Make

By Charles Hall | Accounting and Auditing

Here are twenty mistakes that CPAs make:

1. We hire people without sufficient knowledge and temperament
2. We accept more work than we can possibly perform
3. We don’t cull our bad clients (which contributes to #2.)
4. We work without taking breaks
5. We don’t exercise
6. We try to be experts in too many industries
7. We use outdated computers and software (e.g., we are not paperless)
8. We don’t plan our continuing education (and take anything we can find at the end of the year)
9. We have no strategy, moving from one engagement to another because it’s pressing
10. We work sitting down all day (when standup desks are available)
11. We bill our clients months after the service is provided (rather than a couple of weeks)
12. We allow email to drive our day (we are reactive)
13. We don’t express sincere appreciation to our peers and employees (those fully deserving of “thank you!”)
14. We don’t use engagement letters to define our work
15. We have no exit strategy, hoping someone will knock on our door and offer to buy the practice
16. We ignore those we love (because we are overworked and irritable)
17. We don’t stay current on evolving standards
18. We don’t fire unproductive or difficult employees
19. We don’t deal with problems (bad clients or employees) because doing so is awkward
20. We never pause to evaluate our lives

Since  1984, I have worked in public accounting, a profession I dearly love. One thing I’ve noticed about CPAs is we are too immersed in our work–to a point of blindness. We don’t step back and evaluate what or how we do things. Would we be better off if we intentionally removed certain responsibilities? Might we not be even more profitable and happier? 

Two things–more than anything else–will sap your energy and productivity: (1) difficult clients and (2) unproductive or difficult employees.

The 80/20 rule is applicable in our profession. We make 80% of our money from 20% of our work. And 80% of our headaches come from 20% of our clients and employees. (Were you awake last night thinking about one of these?) While the exact percentages may not be true for you, the concept is highly relevant. 

I’ve given you twenty mistakes that CPAs make. Are there others you would add?

If you found this article of interest, see my post What Keeps CPAs Awake at Night. Also, here are Forty Mistakes Auditors Make.

CPA Client Interviews: Four Keys

By Charles Hall | Auditing

Today we talk about four keys to better CPA client interviews.

Many times I have interviewed accounting staff and walked away thinking, “I have no idea what they just said to me.” Do you ever have this problem? If yes, this article is for you. Below I provide four keys to better client interviews.

In my early years–fresh out of college–I would think: “I must be stupid. It’s obvious, he understands what he just said, but I don’t.” Often my anxiety would increase when I realized the interviewee (e.g, accounts payable clerk) had no college degree (and me, a masters in accounting).

Reasons We Don’t Understand

After years of performing client interviews, I realized that I wasn’t dense (at least, not as much as I thought), and that I was encountering what The Art of Explanation calls, the “curse of knowledge.”

What is the “curse of knowledge?” It’s when someone knows a subject very well, and, consequently, has a difficult time imagining what it is like to not know it. I was experiencing the “curse of knowledge.” Those I interviewed thought I knew what they knew. As a result, they left out details.

Also, those I interviewed had years of experience doing the same job day after day. Of course they understood what they did. But I had less than an hour, in many cases, to grasp their duties.

Additionally, those I interviewed used a language unique to their office, and I, mistakenly, tried to use a different language—one I had learned in college. The result: we did not understand one another. So how can I communicate and comprehend better?

Here are four CPA client interview ideas guaranteed to to help. 

Four Keys to CPA Client Interviews

1. Pay attention to their language and use it.

If they call it a thingy, then I call it a thingy.

2. Seek understanding more than trying to impress.

I often want to impress more than I desire to understand. The remedy: Admit (maybe even out loud) I don’t know everything.

I tell the clerk, “Treat me like I don’t know anything. I’ve never been here, so I need your help in understanding what you do.”

To higher level personnel (e.g., CFO), I might say, “I have worked in this industry for fifteen years, but I need your help to understand how you guys operate.”

3. Repeat what is said to you.

For example, “May I repeat what you just said to make sure I understand? ‘The thingy is created once per week on Mondays to ensure that total receipts agree with deposits.’”

4. Use your cell phone to take pictures and to record parts of the interview.

Just last week, I reviewed a complex accounting system (for about three hours). As I did so, I used my cell phone Evernote app to take pictures of computer screens and printed reports. I also used the app to record parts of the conversation. Later, I summarized the conversation in memo form (complete with pictures).

Scanbot is another useful iPhone app if you take pictures of client information. By using your phone to take pictures, you can leave your physical scanner in your office.

Your CPA Client Interview Ideas

Have I left out any key interviewing ideas? Please share your thoughts.

Check out my series of articles about auditing.