Audit. I need help with writing memorandum. Finding strengths, weaknesses, and changes of audit committee this year

Topics-Planning, Internal Control, and Evidence Situation Company Profile Industry Information Balance Sheet Income Statement Statement of Cash Flows Financial Statement Analysis Audit Procedures Communication Rearch Diet Web Inc. (hereafter Diet Web) was incorporated and began business in March of 20X1, seven years ago. You are working on the 20X8 audit--your CPA firm's fifth audit of DietWeb. Copy Profile Statement y Balance of Cash Statement Audit Situation Information Sheet Statement Flows Procedures Communication Research The company's mission is to provide solutions that help individuals to realize their full potential through better eating hab. its and lifestyles. Much of 20X1 and 20X2 was spent in developing a unique software platform that facilitates the production of individualized meal plans and shopping lists using a specific mathematical algorithm, which considers the user's physical con dition, proclivity to exercise, food preferences, cooking preferences, desire to use prepackaged meals or dine out, among others. Diet Web sold its first online diet program in 20X2 and has continued to market memberships through increasing online adver tising arrangements through the years. The company has continued to develop this program throughout the years and finally became profitable in 20X6. Diet Web is executing a strategy to be a leading online provider of services, information and products related to nutrition, fitness and motivation. In 20X8, the company derived approximately 86% of its total revenues from the sale of approximately 203,000 personalized subscription-based online nutrition plans related to weight management, to dietary regimens such as vegetarianism and to specific medical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. Given the personal nature of dieting. Diet Web assures customers of complete privacy of the information they provide. To this point Diet Web's management is proud of its success in assuring the privacy of information supplied by its customers this is a constant battle given the variety of intrusion attempts by various Internet hackers. Diet Web nutrition plans are paid in advance by customers and offered in increments of thirteen weeks with the customers having the ability to cancel and receive a refund of the unused portion of the subscription this results in a significant level of "deferred revenue" each period. Although some DietWeb members are billed through use of the postal system, most Diet Web members currently purchase programs and products using credit cards, with renewals billed automatically, until cancellation, One week of a basic Diet Web membership costs less than one-half the cost of a weekly visit to the leading classroom-based diet program. The president, Mr. William Readings, suggests that in addition to its superior cost-effectiveness, the Diet Web online diet program is successful relative to classroom-based programs due to its customization, ease of use, expert support, privacy. constant availability, and breadth of choice. The basic Diet Web membership includes Customized meal plans and workout schedules and related tools such as shopping lists, journals, and weight and exercise tracking. Interactive online support and education including approximately 100 message boards on various topics of interest to members and a library of dozens of multimedia educational segments presented by experts including psychologists, mental health counselors, dietitians, fitness trainers, a spiritual advisor and a physician. 24/7/365 telephone support from a staff of approximately 30 customer service representatives, nutritionists and fitness personnel Throughout its nine-year history, Mr. William Readings has served as chief executive officer. The other three founders of the company are also officers. A fifth individual, Willingsley Williamson, also a founder, served as Chief Financial Officer until mid-20X8 when he left the company due to a difference of opinion with Mr. Readings. The four founders purchased Mr. Williamson's stock and invested an additional approximately $1.2 million in common stock during 20X8 so as to limit the use of long-term debt. The company's board of directors is currently composed of the four individuals who remain active in the company: these four individuals also serve as the company's audit committee; Mr. Readings chairs both the board and the audit committee. Previously, Mr. Readings had also served on the board and the audit committee. With Mr. Williamson's departure, Ms. Jane Jennings, another of the founders, became the company's CFO. Industry Information Statement of Cash Company Profile Balance Situation Income Statement Statem Analysis Procedures Comment Research The nutrition and diet industry in many ways thrives because individuals are becoming more aware of the negative health and financial consequences of being overweight, and consider important both weight loss and healthy weight maintenance. A study by two respected researchers concluded that obesity was linked to higher rates of chronic illness than living in poverty, than smoking, or than drinking. In addition, the American Cancer Society reported that as many as 14% of cancer deaths in men and 20% of cancer deaths in women could be related to being overweight. The financial costs of excess weight are also high. A 20X8 study based on data from a major automobile manufacturer's health care plan showed that an overweight adult has annual health care costs that are 7.3% higher than a person in a healthy weight range, while obese individuals have annual health care costs that are 69% higher than a person of a healthy weight. With health care cost inflation running in the double digits in the United States since 20X4, supporters of the industry believe that the implementation of effective weight management tools will attract more attention from insurers, employers, consumers, and the government. As of January 20X9 five nutrition- or fitness-related bills were being considered in Congress, and several states had enacted or were considering enacting legislation relating to the sale of junk" food in public schools. In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and Federal Trade Commission are contemplating new labeling requirements for packaged food and restaurant food, new educational and motivational programs related to healthy eating and exercise, and increased regulation of advertising claims for food. In response to consumers' growing demand for more healthful eating options, quick-service and full-service restaurants have introduced new offerings including salads, sandwiches, burgers, and other food items designed for the weight-conscious person. At the retail level, sales of natural and organic foods have been growing more rapidly than the overall food and over- the-counter drug market for the last several years. Nutritional supplement sales in the US, for instance, are estimated to have grown 34% between 20X4 and 20X8, while natural and organic foods are estimated to be growing at a rate of approximately 15% annually. Also, the industry has a tendency to change quickly as dieting fads" regularly are introduced; some remain popular for years, some for only months. Approximately 60% of the US adult population, or 120 million adults, are overweight and, of those, the Calorie Control Council estimates only about 50 million are dieting in a given year. About 15% of these dieters are using a commercial weight loss center, generating revenues of approximately $1.5 billion annually. DietWeb targets dieters who are online, which repre- sents about two-thirds of the total universe at current Internet penetration rates, or 34 million adults, about 5 million of whom are spending approximately $1 billion at weight loss centers. At the same time, the online dieting segment of the market is growing rapidly. The online diet industry in the US generated in excess of $100 million in 20X8, compared to revenues of approximately $75 million in 20X2. The industry includes other online nutrition and diet-oriented Web sites. Another group of competitors to DietWeb are commercial weight loss centers, an industry that has shown marked decline in the last decade. According to Market Analysis Enterprises, the number of commercial weight loss centers in the US declined approximately 50% between 20X2 and 20X8, from over 8,600 to approximately 4,400. Diet Web competes against this segment on the basis of lower price, superior value, convenience, availability, the ability to personalize a meal plan on an ongoing basis, its extensive support capabilities, and the breadth of its meal plan options. This is your firm's sixth audit of DietWeb. In a memorandum to the audit team (below) summarize your view of the audit committee's strengths, weaknesses, and any changes that have occurred relating to the audit committee this year. Topics-Planning, Internal Control, and Evidence Situation Company Profile Industry Information Balance Sheet Income Statement Statement of Cash Flows Financial Statement Analysis Audit Procedures Communication Rearch Diet Web Inc. (hereafter Diet Web) was incorporated and began business in March of 20X1, seven years ago. You are working on the 20X8 audit--your CPA firm's fifth audit of DietWeb. Copy Profile Statement y Balance of Cash Statement Audit Situation Information Sheet Statement Flows Procedures Communication Research The company's mission is to provide solutions that help individuals to realize their full potential through better eating hab. its and lifestyles. Much of 20X1 and 20X2 was spent in developing a unique software platform that facilitates the production of individualized meal plans and shopping lists using a specific mathematical algorithm, which considers the user's physical con dition, proclivity to exercise, food preferences, cooking preferences, desire to use prepackaged meals or dine out, among others. Diet Web sold its first online diet program in 20X2 and has continued to market memberships through increasing online adver tising arrangements through the years. The company has continued to develop this program throughout the years and finally became profitable in 20X6. Diet Web is executing a strategy to be a leading online provider of services, information and products related to nutrition, fitness and motivation. In 20X8, the company derived approximately 86% of its total revenues from the sale of approximately 203,000 personalized subscription-based online nutrition plans related to weight management, to dietary regimens such as vegetarianism and to specific medical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. Given the personal nature of dieting. Diet Web assures customers of complete privacy of the information they provide. To this point Diet Web's management is proud of its success in assuring the privacy of information supplied by its customers this is a constant battle given the variety of intrusion attempts by various Internet hackers. Diet Web nutrition plans are paid in advance by customers and offered in increments of thirteen weeks with the customers having the ability to cancel and receive a refund of the unused portion of the subscription this results in a significant level of "deferred revenue" each period. Although some DietWeb members are billed through use of the postal system, most Diet Web members currently purchase programs and products using credit cards, with renewals billed automatically, until cancellation, One week of a basic Diet Web membership costs less than one-half the cost of a weekly visit to the leading classroom-based diet program. The president, Mr. William Readings, suggests that in addition to its superior cost-effectiveness, the Diet Web online diet program is successful relative to classroom-based programs due to its customization, ease of use, expert support, privacy. constant availability, and breadth of choice. The basic Diet Web membership includes Customized meal plans and workout schedules and related tools such as shopping lists, journals, and weight and exercise tracking. Interactive online support and education including approximately 100 message boards on various topics of interest to members and a library of dozens of multimedia educational segments presented by experts including psychologists, mental health counselors, dietitians, fitness trainers, a spiritual advisor and a physician. 24/7/365 telephone support from a staff of approximately 30 customer service representatives, nutritionists and fitness personnel Throughout its nine-year history, Mr. William Readings has served as chief executive officer. The other three founders of the company are also officers. A fifth individual, Willingsley Williamson, also a founder, served as Chief Financial Officer until mid-20X8 when he left the company due to a difference of opinion with Mr. Readings. The four founders purchased Mr. Williamson's stock and invested an additional approximately $1.2 million in common stock during 20X8 so as to limit the use of long-term debt. The company's board of directors is currently composed of the four individuals who remain active in the company: these four individuals also serve as the company's audit committee; Mr. Readings chairs both the board and the audit committee. Previously, Mr. Readings had also served on the board and the audit committee. With Mr. Williamson's departure, Ms. Jane Jennings, another of the founders, became the company's CFO. Industry Information Statement of Cash Company Profile Balance Situation Income Statement Statem Analysis Procedures Comment Research The nutrition and diet industry in many ways thrives because individuals are becoming more aware of the negative health and financial consequences of being overweight, and consider important both weight loss and healthy weight maintenance. A study by two respected researchers concluded that obesity was linked to higher rates of chronic illness than living in poverty, than smoking, or than drinking. In addition, the American Cancer Society reported that as many as 14% of cancer deaths in men and 20% of cancer deaths in women could be related to being overweight. The financial costs of excess weight are also high. A 20X8 study based on data from a major automobile manufacturer's health care plan showed that an overweight adult has annual health care costs that are 7.3% higher than a person in a healthy weight range, while obese individuals have annual health care costs that are 69% higher than a person of a healthy weight. With health care cost inflation running in the double digits in the United States since 20X4, supporters of the industry believe that the implementation of effective weight management tools will attract more attention from insurers, employers, consumers, and the government. As of January 20X9 five nutrition- or fitness-related bills were being considered in Congress, and several states had enacted or were considering enacting legislation relating to the sale of junk" food in public schools. In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and Federal Trade Commission are contemplating new labeling requirements for packaged food and restaurant food, new educational and motivational programs related to healthy eating and exercise, and increased regulation of advertising claims for food. In response to consumers' growing demand for more healthful eating options, quick-service and full-service restaurants have introduced new offerings including salads, sandwiches, burgers, and other food items designed for the weight-conscious person. At the retail level, sales of natural and organic foods have been growing more rapidly than the overall food and over- the-counter drug market for the last several years. Nutritional supplement sales in the US, for instance, are estimated to have grown 34% between 20X4 and 20X8, while natural and organic foods are estimated to be growing at a rate of approximately 15% annually. Also, the industry has a tendency to change quickly as dieting fads" regularly are introduced; some remain popular for years, some for only months. Approximately 60% of the US adult population, or 120 million adults, are overweight and, of those, the Calorie Control Council estimates only about 50 million are dieting in a given year. About 15% of these dieters are using a commercial weight loss center, generating revenues of approximately $1.5 billion annually. DietWeb targets dieters who are online, which repre- sents about two-thirds of the total universe at current Internet penetration rates, or 34 million adults, about 5 million of whom are spending approximately $1 billion at weight loss centers. At the same time, the online dieting segment of the market is growing rapidly. The online diet industry in the US generated in excess of $100 million in 20X8, compared to revenues of approximately $75 million in 20X2. The industry includes other online nutrition and diet-oriented Web sites. Another group of competitors to DietWeb are commercial weight loss centers, an industry that has shown marked decline in the last decade. According to Market Analysis Enterprises, the number of commercial weight loss centers in the US declined approximately 50% between 20X2 and 20X8, from over 8,600 to approximately 4,400. Diet Web competes against this segment on the basis of lower price, superior value, convenience, availability, the ability to personalize a meal plan on an ongoing basis, its extensive support capabilities, and the breadth of its meal plan options. This is your firm's sixth audit of DietWeb. In a memorandum to the audit team (below) summarize your view of the audit committee's strengths, weaknesses, and any changes that have occurred relating to the audit committee this year