Securimax Limited (Securimax) has been an audit client of KFP Partners (KFP) for the past 15 years. Securimax is based in Waterloo, Ontario, where it manufactures high-tech armour-plated personnel carriers. Securimax often has to go through a competitive market tender process to win large government contracts. Its main product, the small but powerful Terrain Master, is highly specialized and Securimax only does business with nations that have a recognized, democratically elected government. Securimax maintains a highly secure environment, given the sensitive and confidential nature of its vehicle designs and its clients.
In September 2011, Securimax installed an off-the-shelf costing system to support the highly sophisticated and cost-sensitive nature of its product designs. The new system replaced a system that had been developed in-house, as the old system could no longer keep up with the complex and detailed manufacturing costing process that provides tender costings. The old system also had difficulty with the company's broader reporting requirements.
Securimax's IT department, together with the consultants from the software company, implemented the new manufacturing costing system. There were no customized modifications. Key operational staff and the internal audit team from Securimax were significantly engaged in the selection, testing, training, and implementation stages.
The manufacturing costing system uses all of the manufacturing unit inputs to calculate and produce a database of all product costs and recommended sales prices. It also integrates with the general ledger each time there are product inventory movements such as purchases, sales, wastage, and damaged inventory losses.
It is now October 2011 and you are beginning the audit planning for the December 31, 2011 annual financial statement audit. You are assigned to assess Securimax's IT controls with particular emphasis on the recent implementation of the new manufacturing costing system.
Source: Adapted from the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia's CA Program's Audit and Assurance Exam, May 2008.
Required
Select two components of internal control. Explain how the roles of the internal and external audits would differ when assessing these components in relation to the new manufacturing costing system.