MaxSecurity Limited (MaxSecurity) has been an audit client of Smith & Associates (S&A) for the past 15 years. MaxSecurity is based in Wollongong, where it manufactures high-tech armour-plated per- sonnel carriers. MaxSecurity 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 specialised and MaxSecurity only does business with nations that have a recognised, democratically elected government. MaxSecurity maintains a highly secure environment, given the sensitive and confidential nature of its vehicle designs and its clients.

In September 2016, MaxSecurity installed an off-the-shelf costing system to support the highly soph- isticated 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.

MaxSecurity's IT department, together with the consultants from the software company, implemented the new manufacturing costing system. There were no customised modifications. Key operational staff and the internal audit team from MaxSecurity 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 stock losses.

MaxSecurity's end of financial year is 30 June.

Source:Adapted from the CA Program'sAudit & assurance exam, May 2008.

8.31 UNDERSTANDING TYPES OF CONTROLSLO1 In relation to the new manufacturing costing system, describe two automated application controls that MaxSecurity could be using.