WP #
Audit of [Click here and type audit name]
Accounts receivable/credit & collections audit program
Description
Revision Info
This program was last reviewed/updated on [Click to Insert Date here]
Step
Audit Procedure
I.
Objectives of the Review
1.
2.
3.
Evaluation of compliance with corporate policies and
procedures.
Evaluation of overall efficiency and effectiveness of
process internal controls and procedures.
Evaluation of processes and practices against known
best practices.
II.
Work Program Steps
Planning:
a) Review known best practices and research the
internet.
b) Set up binder.
c) Develop project plan and determine scope.
d) Prepare budget.
e) Plan a coordination meeting with Process Owner.
f) Obtain Accounts Receivable process/functional
overview and expense allocation.
4.
Obtain a copy of Accounts Receivable and Credit &
Collections policies and procedures. Review procedures
prior to beginning fieldwork. Draft any questions that
may be asked during interviews and while process
mapping.
Review the following known best practices:

Eliminate barriers to payment by offering
customers multiple payment options, flexible
billing cycles, and incentives to pay early.

Create a single point of contact for all incoming
customer calls regarding payments and use
technology to route the calls to the appropriate
service representative or automated activities

Electronically receive and post customer
payments to the billing system in real-time to
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Perf’d/
Approved
By
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Reference
WP #
Audit of [Click here and type audit name]
Step
Audit Procedure
reduce processing costs and expedite cash flow.

Ensure that all employees with customer contact
work together to deliver a consistent message to
the customer regarding company’s credit policies
and goals.

Use credit scoring to assign the customer a
credit rating that will trigger appropriate sales
and collections treatment.

Continuously update customers credit ratings
using a behavioural scoring system which
monitors customer payment behavior, usage
activity, and total customer account exposure
versus assigned credit limits.

Use the credit and collections process to
enhance customer satisfaction.

Develop, monitor, and motivate collections
specialists using individual and team
performance measures.

Use performance measures to select and
monitor outside collection agents, if it is costjustified to employ them.

Automatically initiate all treatment actions based
on a pre-programmed, “customized” treatment
timeline that details specific action steps for the
initial identification of delinquent account
customers based on customer credit rating/class.

Prioritize delinquent accounts for collections
follow-up, allocate appropriate collections
resources, and provide real-time access to
customer information.
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Reference
WP #
5.
6.
Audit of [Click here and type audit name]
Benchmark company accounts receivable process and
statistics to other similar companies (if applicable).
Based upon the interviews, gain an understanding of the
following areas:

Overall accounts receivable process

Customer credit rating system/scoring process

Order entry process (High level review of A/R’s
role in the order entry process –i.e. credit
classification, etc.)

Process for monitoring of credit standings

Reconciliation of shipped items to invoices; G/L
reconciliation

Invoicing process

A/R cash application process

Process for collection of overdue amounts

Process for writing off over due receivables

Management reporting (including process
performance metrics)

Reserve process – (Coordinate with external
auditors to determine their process for review the
company’s reserve values to ensure that there is
no duplication of effort).
Compare all processes to known best practices (if
applicable) to determine any suggestions for process
improvements.
7.
Obtain an understanding and evidence of the accounts
receivable/credit & collection process by performing
the following transaction testing:

Review the company's A/R trial balance for
unusual and/or large items and investigate, if
necessary. Items should be > 60 days and > 5%
of total A/R balance.

Review detail of significant past due balances
and discuss with management. Obtain and
document the probability of collectability and
plans for collection.

Verify compliance with existing policies and
procedures.
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WP #
Audit of [Click here and type audit name]

Ensure completeness of recording.

Verify customer payments made.

Verify accuracy of recording.

Review credit due dates – aged amount.

Verify proper authorizations (if necessary).

Select 10 – 20 cash receipts. Ensure that all
receipts are posted in a timely manner and
procedures are in compliance with established
policies and procedures.

Select 10 – 20 invoiced transactions. Ensure that
invoicing procedures occur in a timely manner are
in compliance with established policies and
procedures.

Review credit ratings for 10 customers. Ensure
that credit classifications are in alignment with
scoring policies. Document all discrepancies.

Obtain the list of credit memos issued for the
Q49X and Q19Y. Select 10 items and trace to
supporting documentation. Ensure that they were
issued and approved in line with corporate policy
and procedures.

Obtain an analysis of Allowance for Doubtful
Accounts. Verify that the allowance is adequate
and has been calculated in line with corporate
policy.

Review A/R reconciliation to G/L – verify
timeliness.

Review A/R reserved amounts – determine
method of calculations and verify reasonableness.
Review/evaluate management reporting
reports/reconciliations (including budget to actual
commission expense, target earnings, quotas, etc.)
8.
Obtain the following background information:

Number and dollar value (absolute) of invoices
for the last six months – obtain soft copy of
information

Current aging of the receivables – identify high
value invoices, credit notes, etc.

Numeric sequence (search for duplicates &
missing invoices)

Receivables by location (i.e. U.S., Europe,
Asia, etc.) – obtain soft copy of the information
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WP #
Audit of [Click here and type audit name]

Percentage of debit/credit memos by location
(i.e. U.S., Europe, Asia, etc.) – obtain soft
copy of the information
Match billings to shipping reports for quantities shipped
but not billed; matching billing date to shipping date –
determine the time gap
9.
10.
11.
12.
Discuss findings with management prior to drafting audit
report.
Draft final report in conjunction with process owner.
Distribute final report as prescribed by internal audit
distribution list.
Schedule follow-up as appropriate.
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