Case: The Runners shop Litigation Support Review of audit documentation for notes payable by Mark S. Beasley
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing and discussing this case you should be able to
[1] Read audit documentation prepared by audit staff to support management assertions related to Notes Payable
[2] Identify deficiencies with the preparation of the Notes Payable audit documentation
[3] Highlight implications of auditors' failure to properly document work performed
INTRODUCTION
The Runners Shop (TRS) was a family-owned business founded 17 years ago by Robert and Andrea Johnson. In July of 2014, TRS found itself experiencing a severe cash shortage that forced it to file for bankruptcy protection. Prior to shutting down its operations, TRS was engaged in the retail sale of athletic footwear and related products for runners. TRS's 2013 audited financial statements reported net sales of $2,217,292 and a net loss of $50,980. Consistent with prior years, sales were strongest in the second and fourth calendar-year quarters, with the first calendar-year quarter substantially weaker than the rest. The company's basic strategy was to provide superior customer service compared to competing sporting goods and mass merchandiser retail stores. The company attempted to provide superior service by hiring college-age runners as sales staff and then training them on shoes and strategies that would correct common running ailments. This approach helped TRS develop a very loyal customer base for its first store located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Sales at the Charlottesville store were so strong that Robert and Andrea decided to expand into three other markets: Richmond, Virginia; College Park, Maryland; and Raleigh, North Carolina. Unfortunately, the expansion effort did not go as well as Robert and Andrea had anticipated. They expected that the first three years of operations at the new locations would be difficult, but after that point they had hoped to experience significant improvement. However, the expected performance improvement did not materialize and after five years of operations the expansion stores were still running at a loss. In July 2014, Robert and Andrea, with almost all of their personal assets exhausted, realized they could no longer hang on and filed for bankruptcy protection.
BANKRUPTCY PROMPTS CREDITORS TO SUE TRS
First Commercial Bank provided a short-term line of credit that allowed TRS to borrow up to $100,000 to cover cash disbursements for merchandise purchases prior to peak sales periods. This loan agreement required TRS to pay off its outstanding balance before the last business day in July. National Bank and Trust provided an installment loan to TRS when it expanded from one to four locations. This loan agreement required TRS to remit monthly interest and principal payments. Both lenders required TRS to have its annual financial statements audited as a condition of the loan agreements. Unfortunately, as a result of the bankruptcy both lending institutions lost the outstanding principal balances owed them by TRS. The two lending institutions jointly filed a lawsuit against the firm that audited TRS's financial statements, Green and Brown, LLP. The lawsuit alleges that the audit firm did not perform the audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and as a result the two banks were misled and were unable to recover their outstanding loan balances. The law firms representing the defendant (Green and Brown, LLP) and the plaintiffs (First Commercial Bank and National Bank and Trust) are now conducting discovery procedures. The objectives of the discovery process are to ensure that all evidence is equally available to all parties and to facilitate settlement of the case.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUDIT
Green and Brown, LLP audited the financial statements of TRS for the previous 10 years. Because TRS is not publicly traded, Green and Brown performed their audits under professional standards for audits of nonpublic companies. The audit report issued for the 2013 and 2012 financial statements. The audit staff for the 2013 audit of TRS's financial statements consisted of four individuals: Pete Letterman, audit partner; Carol Maddox, audit manager; Mary Lewis, audit senior, and Joe Manaker, staff auditor. All of these individuals also worked on the previous year's audit of TRS. The audit program and audit documentation related to TRS's Notes Payable are enclosed. Joe performed the audit work in this area and Mary reviewed his work. Green and Brown, LLP's guidelines for the preparation of audit documentation have also been provided for your information.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT
You are working for the litigation support firm hired to identify deficiencies in the audit work performed by Green and Brown, LLP. You have been asked to review the audit documentation prepared by the audit firm related to TRS's Notes Payable. The purpose of reviewing this section of the audit documentation is to demonstrate a pattern of careless behavior on the part of the auditors and thereby build a case in support of an allegation of auditor negligence.
1. Describe the purposes of audit documentation and explain why each purpose is important.
2. Review Green and Brown, LLP's audit documentation guidelines and explain why an audit firm would want to include each of the listed items in its audit documentation.
3. Green and Brown, LLP would not be required to comply with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) for the TRS audit because TRS is a private company. Seting this fact aside for the moment, go to the PCAOB Website and review Standard No. 3, "Audit Documentation". This standard requires that documentation of audit work contain sufcient information to enable an experienced auditor not involved with the engagement to achieve two objectives. What are those two objectives? Explain whether you believe the audit documentation in this case achieves these objectives.
4. Review the audit documentation prepared by Green and Brown, LLP, related to TRS's Notes Payable and list deficiencies on the enclosed schedules.