Auditing and Assurance Services 9th Edition by Alvin Arens,Mark Beasley,Randy Elder

Exercise 30

During the year, Strang Corporation began to encounter cash-flow difficulties, and a cursory review by management revealed receivable collection problems. Strang's management engaged Stanley, CPA, to perform a special investigation. Stanley studied the billing and collection process and noted the following:
• The accounting department employs one bookkeeper, who receives and opens all incoming mail. This bookkeeper is also responsible for depositing receipts, filing remittance advices on a daily basis, recording receipts in the cash receipts journal, and posting receipts in the individual customer accounts and the general ledger accounts. There are no cash sales. The bookkeeper prepares and controls the mailing of monthly statements to customers.
• The concentration of functions and the receivable collection problems caused Stanley to suspect that a systematic defalcation of customers' payments through a delayed posting of remittances (lapping of accounts receivable) is present. Stanley was surprised to find that no customers complained about receiving erroneous monthly statements.

Required:
Identify the procedures Stanley should perform to determine whether lapping exists. Do not discuss deficiencies in the internal control system.
(AICPA, adapted)