ReelWheel_powerpoint_slides1.pptx

The Reel Wheel

Using Analytical Procedures as Substantive Tests of Account Balances

The Reel Wheel

Coliseum Entertainment Corporation is one of the world’s largest hotel and gaming entertainment companies

One of Coliseum’s strategies to increase revenue and income has been to expand entertainment offerings and to encourage increased traffic to the company’s existing hotel and gaming properties

With that strategy in mind, Coliseum constructed a new attraction, the Reel Wheel, which opened on April 1st, 20X4

Case Background

The Reel Wheel is an observation wheel located at a new outdoor mall on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Reel Wheel operates daily, year-round (less 4 service days), from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Operations between 11:00am and 5:00pm are considered “day-time” rides; those between 5:00pm and 2:00am are considered “night-time” rides.

The client’s unaudited reported Ticket Sales Revenue balance for the year 20X5 is $73,468,219.

The amount of tolerable difference allocated to this account is $675,000.

Audit Focus

The engagement audit partner has asked you, a second-year associate with the firm, to oversee the audit of Ticket Sales Revenue generated by the Reel Wheel during the 20X5 calendar year.

The audit partner encourages you to consider using substantive analytical procedures to develop an independent expectation of Ticket Sales Revenue.

Use that estimate as evidence in evaluating the reasonableness of Coliseum’s reported Ticket Sales Revenue for the Reel Wheel’s operations during the year.

Part 1.1: Using Substantive Analytical Procedures

Respond to the following questions, citing relevant standards:

How and in what contexts may substantive analytical procedures be used during the course of the financial statement audit?

Are substantive analytical procedures allowed to be used as audit evidence?

What specific assertions related to the Ticket Sales Revenue account balance could a substantive analytical procedure be used to test?

Does the Ticket Sales Revenue account include “predictable relationships” required to develop an independent expectation?

Why do you think a substantive analytical procedure might be more effective and efficient than tests of details for the Ticket Sales Revenue account?

Part 1.2: Using Substantive Analytical Procedures

What do the auditing standards mean when they refer to the “precision” of an expectation developed with a substantive analytical procedure?

What do the standards suggest that you could do to improve the “precision” of your expectation for Ticket Sales Revenue?

Part 1.3: Using Substantive Analytical Procedures

Does the data provided to you for the purpose of conducting the audit of Reel Wheel’s Ticket Sales Revenue meet the requirements regarding the reliability of underlying data?

How does the source of the information impact its reliability?

Are there external sources that might be used to validate portions of the data provided by the client?

Part 1.4: Using Substantive Analytical Procedures

As indicated in the standards, briefly describe the required steps for documentation of substantive analytical procedures

Part 2.1: Attendance Expectations

Before developing and evaluating a precise analytic, consider a quick “reasonableness test” you could perform.

Develop a quick estimate of the maximum number of passengers possible during 20X5. In other words, how many passengers could ride on the Reel Wheel if every passenger car was filled to capacity for the entire year?

Part 2.1: Attendance Expectations

Note that this represents maximum capacity.

How many passengers would have experienced the Reel Wheel if it ran at 75%, 50%, and 25% of maximum capacity?

Part 2.1: Attendance Expectations

Part 2.2: Ticket Sales Expectation

Using highly aggregated ticket sales data (e.g., total passengers, average ticket price), develop an independent estimate of Ticket Sales Revenue in 20X5 and compare it to the client’s reported balance.

Part 2.2: Ticket Sales Expectation

Using this analytic, one would conclude that the Ticket Sales Revenue account is materially misstated.

What’s wrong with using a highly aggregated analytic like this?

What type of disaggregated information would help the auditor develop a more precise estimate?

Part 2.3: Using Disaggregated Data

Part 2.3: Using Disaggregated Data

Using this analytic with disaggregated data, one would conclude that the Ticket Sales Revenue account is fairly stated.

Parts 3.1-3.2: Reflect on the Engagement

Is the estimate developed in Part 2.3 (the disaggregated estimate) precise enough, or is more precision needed? Explain.

Given that much of the data was provided by the client, what additional audit procedures could you supplement this substantive analytic with to provide additional corroborating evidence that these ticket sales actually occurred?

Consider how your approach to auditing the Ticket Sales Revenue account would be different if a third-party ticket provider with a SOC 1 Type II report were providing these services for the client and was therefore the provider of ticket sales data (e.g. number of passengers, ticket prices, seasonality, daytime vs. nighttime rides, etc.).

Part 3.3: Reflect on the Engagement

Assuming the client’s controls are effective, how might the auditor use data analytics tools to audit the ticket sales revenue account?

How would the evidence obtained using data analytics (i.e., ability to effectively analyze every sales transaction during the year) compare with the evidence from both substantive analytical procedures and tests of details in terms of effectiveness and efficiency?

What additional insights might the auditor be able to identify using data analytics?

Part 3.4: Reflect on the Engagement

Research the AICPA’s website and briefly explain what a SOC 1 Type II report is.

Consider how your approach to auditing the Ticket Sales Revenue account might be different if a third-party ticket provider with a SOC 1 Type II report were providing these services for the client and was therefore the source of the ticket sales data you requested (e.g. number of passengers, ticket prices, seasonality, daytime vs. nighttime rides).

Lessons Learned

Substantive analytical procedures can provide efficient and effective substantive tests when properly designed and when incorporating reliable data.

Analytics developed using disaggregated data provide a more precise expectation compared to analytics that use aggregated data.

RW Ticket Revenue A.01

Coliseum Entertainment Workpaper (WP) ID: A.01
Substantive Analytical Procedure - Ticket Sales Revenue: The Reel Wheel Date:
Year-end Audit: December 31, 20X5 Prepared By:
20X5 Unaudited Account Balance ( Ticket Sales Revenue )
Account Data Point Unit Label Tickmark WP Reference
Ticket Sales Revenue (unaudited) $ 73,468,219.00 dollars PBC from Trial Balance
Allocated tolerable difference 675,000.00 dollars AA.09
20X5 Summary Information & Data for "The Reel Wheel"
Description Data Point Unit Label Tickmark WP Reference
Observation Wheel Height 550 feet PBC, RW
Number of Passenger Cars 28 cars PBC, RW
Interior Space per Car 225 square feet PBC, RW
Maximum Capacity per Car 40 passengers PBC, RW
Time Required for Car Revolution 30 minutes PBC, RW
Hours of Operation (Open) 11:00am . PBC, RW
Hours of Operation (Close) 2:00am . PBC, RW
Description (20X5 calendar year) Data Point Unit Label Tickmark WP Reference
Days in Operation 361 days PBC
Total Passengers 3,058,452 passengers PBC from A.02
Total Children Passengers 250,389 passengers PBC A.02, A.03
Description (20X5 calendar year) Data Point Unit Label Tickmark WP Reference
Regular Ticket Price (Child; Age 0 - 12) $ - 0 dollars RW
Regular Ticket Price - Day (Adult; Age 13+) 24.95 dollars RW
Regular Ticket Price - Night (Adult; Age 13+) 34.95 dollars RW
Summer Ticket Price - Day (Adult; Age 13+) 19.95 dollars RW
Summer Ticket Price - Night (Adult; Age 13+) 29.95 dollars RW
WholesaleTicket Price 12.95 dollars PBC
Notes
• Where noted, data is verified at multiple sources (e.g., PBC, RW).
• The Reel Wheel sells some tickets to wholesalers – such as third-party travel websites – if booked as part of a travel package that includes a stay at a Coliseum hotel.
• Although not specifically listed on the RW website, prices for Las Vegas locals (Photo ID required) are 40% off of Regular Adult (Day, Night) prices. No summer discount for locals.
Tickmark Legend
PBC Provided by client (Coliseum Entertainment)
RW Sourced from Reel Wheel public website

RW Ticket Revenue A.02

Coliseum Entertainment Workpaper (WP) ID: A.02
Substantive Analytical Procedure - Ticket Sales Revenue: The Reel Wheel Date:
Year-end Audit: December 31, 20X5 Prepared By:
20X5 Ticket Sales Data for "The Reel Wheel" [Provided by Client]
Total Passengers Unit Label Tickmark WP Reference
January 245,163 people PBC
February 228,455 people
March 261,996 people
Q1 20X5 735,614 people
April 255,898 people
May 270,268 people
June 256,758 people
Q2 20X5 782,924 people
July 270,000 people
August 260,209 people
September 256,207 people
Q3 20X5 786,416 people
October 273,523 people
November 246,589 people
December 233,385 people
Q4 20X5 753,497 people
20X5 Total 3,058,451 people PBC to A.01
Tickmark Legend
PBC Provided by client (Coliseum Entertainment)

RW Ticket Revenue A.03

Colisum Entertainment Workpaper (WP) ID: A.03
Substantive Analytical Procedure - Ticket Sales Revenue: The Reel Wheel Date:
Year-end Audit: December 31, 20X5 Prepared By:
20X5 Ticket Sales Mix (%) for "The Reel Wheel" [Provided by Client] Tickmark
PBC
Children (0 - 12) Adults (13+) Locals Wholesale
Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night
January 4.2% 3.3% 22.4% 43.8% 4.5% 8.7% 5.2% 7.9%
February 4.7% 3.1% 22.8% 41.6% 4.9% 9.4% 5.0% 8.5%
March 4.1% 3.3% 23.1% 43.6% 4.0% 7.8% 5.8% 8.3%
Q1 4.3% 3.2% 22.8% 43.0% 4.5% 8.6% 5.3% 8.2% 100.0%
April 4.3% 3.8% 23.9% 41.2% 4.7% 9.0% 5.1% 8.0%
May 4.6% 3.0% 24.1% 44.2% 4.3% 8.9% 4.2% 6.7%
June 4.9% 4.3% 23.6% 44.7% 4.6% 9.3% 3.7% 4.9%
Q2 4.6% 3.7% 23.9% 43.4% 4.5% 9.1% 4.3% 6.5% 100.0%
July 4.9% 4.0% 22.2% 41.2% 5.2% 10.4% 4.9% 7.2%
August 4.9% 4.1% 21.6% 43.3% 4.8% 11.0% 4.4% 5.9%
September 4.1% 3.4% 22.9% 42.6% 4.6% 10.4% 5.3% 6.7%
Q3 4.6% 3.8% 22.2% 42.4% 4.9% 10.6% 4.9% 6.6% 100.0%
October 4.5% 3.7% 23.1% 43.2% 4.1% 9.7% 4.9% 6.8%
November 4.5% 4.1% 23.7% 42.9% 4.0% 8.8% 5.0% 7.0%
December 4.3% 4.1% 23.0% 42.5% 4.2% 8.4% 5.4% 8.1%
Q4 4.4% 4.0% 23.3% 42.9% 4.1% 9.0% 5.1% 7.3% 100.0% PBC
Tickmark Legend
PBC Provided by client (Coliseum Entertainment)

RW Ticket Revenue A.01

Coliseum Entertainment Workpaper (WP) ID: A.01
Substantive Analytical Procedure - Ticket Sales Revenue: The Reel Wheel Date: 1/25/16
Year-end Audit: December 31, 2015 Prepared By: Stephen Schmidt
2015 Unaudited Account Balance (Ticket Sales Revenue)
Account Data Point Unit Label Tickmark WP Reference
Ticket Sales Revenue (unaudited) $ 73,468,219.00 dollars PBC from Trial Balance
Allocated tolerable difference 675,000.00 dollars AA.09
2015 Summary Information & Data for "The Reel Wheel"
Description Data Point Unit Label Tickmark WP Reference
Observation Wheel Height 550 feet PBC, RW
Number of Passenger Cars 28 cars PBC, RW
Interior Space per Car 225 square feet PBC, RW
Maximum Capacity per Car 40 passengers PBC, RW
Time Required for Car Revolution 30 minutes PBC, RW
Hours of Operation (Open) 11:00am . PBC, RW
Hours of Operation (Close) 2:00am . PBC, RW
Description (2015 calendar year) Data Point Unit Label Tickmark WP Reference
Days in Operation 361 days PBC, TT
Total Passengers 3,058,452 passengers TT from A.02
Total Children Passengers 250,389 passengers TT A.02, A.03
Description (2015 calendar year) Data Point Unit Label Tickmark WP Reference
Regular Ticket Price (Child; Age 0 - 12) $ - 0 dollars TT, RW
Regular Ticket Price - Day (Adult; Age 13+) 24.95 dollars TT, RW
Regular Ticket Price - Night (Adult; Age 13+) 34.95 dollars TT, RW
Summer Ticket Price - Day (Adult; Age 13+) 19.95 dollars TT, RW
Summer Ticket Price - Night (Adult; Age 13+) 29.95 dollars TT, RW
WholesaleTicket Price 12.95 dollars TT
Notes
• Where noted, data is verified at multiple sources (e.g., PBC, RW).
• The Reel Wheel sells some tickets to wholesalers – such as third-party travel websites – if booked as part of a travel package that includes a stay at a Coliseum hotel.
• Although not specifically listed on the RW website, prices for Las Vegas locals (Photo ID required) are 40% off of Regular Adult (Day, Night) prices. No summer discount for locals.
Tickmark Legend
PBC Provided by client (Coliseum Entertainment)
RW Sourced from Reel Wheel public website
TT Sourced from Trusted Tickets

RW Ticket Revenue A.02

Coliseum Entertainment Workpaper (WP) ID: A.02
Substantive Analytical Procedure - Ticket Sales Revenue: The Reel Wheel Date: 1/25/16
Year-end Audit: December 31, 2015 Prepared By: Stephen Schmidt
2015 Ticket Sales Data for "The Reel Wheel" [Provided by Trusted Tickets]
Total Passengers Unit Label Tickmark WP Reference
January 245,163 people TT
February 228,455 people
March 261,996 people
Q1 2015 735,614 people
April 255,898 people
May 270,268 people
June 256,758 people
Q2 2015 782,924 people
July 270,000 people
August 260,209 people
September 256,207 people
Q3 2015 786,416 people
October 273,523 people
November 246,589 people
December 233,385 people
Q4 2015 753,497 people
2015 Total 3,058,451 people TT to A.01
Tickmark Legend
TT Sourced from Trusted Tickets

RW Ticket Revenue A.03

Colisum Entertainment Workpaper (WP) ID: A.03
Substantive Analytical Procedure - Ticket Sales Revenue: The Reel Wheel Date:
Year-end Audit: December 31, 20X5 Prepared By:
20X5 Ticket Sales Mix (%) for "The Reel Wheel" [Provided by Client] Tickmark
PBC
Children (0 - 12) Adults (13+) Locals Wholesale
Day Night Day Night Day Night Day Night
January 4.2% 3.3% 22.4% 43.8% 4.5% 8.7% 5.2% 7.9%
February 4.7% 3.1% 22.8% 41.6% 4.9% 9.4% 5.0% 8.5%
March 4.1% 3.3% 23.1% 43.6% 4.0% 7.8% 5.8% 8.3%
Q1 4.3% 3.2% 22.8% 43.0% 4.5% 8.6% 5.3% 8.2% 100.0%
April 4.3% 3.8% 23.9% 41.2% 4.7% 9.0% 5.1% 8.0%
May 4.6% 3.0% 24.1% 44.2% 4.3% 8.9% 4.2% 6.7%
June 4.9% 4.3% 23.6% 44.7% 4.6% 9.3% 3.7% 4.9%
Q2 4.6% 3.7% 23.9% 43.4% 4.5% 9.1% 4.3% 6.5% 100.0%
July 4.9% 4.0% 22.2% 41.2% 5.2% 10.4% 4.9% 7.2%
August 4.9% 4.1% 21.6% 43.3% 4.8% 11.0% 4.4% 5.9%
September 4.1% 3.4% 22.9% 42.6% 4.6% 10.4% 5.3% 6.7%
Q3 4.6% 3.8% 22.2% 42.4% 4.9% 10.6% 4.9% 6.6% 100.0%
October 4.5% 3.7% 23.1% 43.2% 4.1% 9.7% 4.9% 6.8%
November 4.5% 4.1% 23.7% 42.9% 4.0% 8.8% 5.0% 7.0%
December 4.3% 4.1% 23.0% 42.5% 4.2% 8.4% 5.4% 8.1%
Q4 4.4% 4.0% 23.3% 42.9% 4.1% 9.0% 5.1% 7.3% 100.0% PBC
Tickmark Legend
PBC Provided by Client

Part 2.1 Solution

Part 2.1 In order to better understand whether the reported number of total passengers in 20X5 (as advertised by Coliseum) is reasonable, develop a quick estimate of the maximum number of passengers possible during 20X5. In other words, how many passengers could ride on the Reel Wheel if every passenger car was filled to capacity for the entire year? Given that not every car will be filled to capacity, develop a rough estimate for a “reasonable” number of reported passengers during the year. Does the number of reported passengers seem reasonable?
Data Point Description Workpaper Reference
15 hours / day A.01
28 cars available A.01
0.5 hours to revolve / car A.01
840 total car revolutions / day
361 days in operation / year
303,240 total car revolutions / year
40 maximum passengers / car A.01
12,129,600 maximum passengers / year
Notes:
Although more than 12 million passengers could - in theory - ride on the Reel Wheel during a calendar year, the actual number of riders is most likely a small fraction of that number (as shown below using arbitrary estimates).
Data Point Description Workpaper Reference
75% percent of cars w/ passengers
35% average car capacity
3,184,020 estimated number of passengers
Note:
The esimated number of passengers is conditional on the arbitrary estimates of the percentage of cars with passengers and the average car capacity. As these variables change, the estimated number of passengers may change significantly.

Part 2.2 Solution

Part 2.2 Develop an independent estimate of Ticket Sales Revenue using highly-aggregated data (e.g., Total Number of Paying Passengers, Average Ticket Price). Evaluate this independent estimate by comparing it to the client's reported account balance. Determine if the reported balance is within a tolerable range of your independent estimate using this aggregated data approach.
Data Point Description Workpaper Reference
3,058,452 Total number of passengers A.01
(250,389) Total children passengers A.01
2,808,063 Total paying passengers
Data Point Description Workpaper Reference
$ 24.95 Regular Ticket - Day / Adult A.01
$ 34.95 Regular Ticket - Night / Adult A.01
$ 19.95 Summer Ticket - Day / Adult A.01
$ 29.95 Summer Ticket - Night / Adult A.01
$ 12.95 Wholesale Ticket A.01
$ 24.55 Average Ticket Price
$ 68,937,946.65 Total (Paying Passengers * Avg. Ticket Price)
73,468,219.00 Unaudited Account Balance ( PBC ) A.01
(4,530,272.35) Observed Difference
675,000.00 Tolerable Differences A.01
No Is |Observed Difference| < Tolerable Difference?
Notes:
Based on this independent estimate, which is based on highly-aggregated passenger data and with a rudimentary average of available ticket prices, the client's unaudited Ticket Sales Revenue appers to be overstated by an amount greater than the tolerable difference. Based on this analytic, it appears that the account is materially overstated. Recommend substantive tests of transaction details by sampling daily sales receipts, deposits, and ledger entries.

Part 2.3 Solution

Part 2.3 Using the disaggregated data available to you, develop an audit work paper to report a more precise estimate for Ticket Sales Revenue in 20X5 at the Reel Wheel. Compare your revised estimate using disaggregated data with the client’s reported account balance and determine (1) whether or not the client’s amount appears to be materially misstated and (2) what, if any, additional audit work is required to test the account balance.
Colisum Entertainment Workpaper (WP) ID: A.04
Substantive Analytical Procedure - Ticket Sales Revenue: The Reel Wheel Date:
Year-end Audit: December 31, 20X5 Prepared By:
Stage 1: Documentation of Independent Expectation (PCAOB AS 2305.22.a)
Children (0 - 12) Adults (13+) Locals (40% Off of Regular) Wholesale Quarterly Totals
Number of Passengers Day Price Night Price Revenue Day Price Night Price Revenue Day Price Night Price Revenue Day Price Night Price Revenue
January 245,163 4.2% $0 3.3% $0 $ - 0 22.4% $ 24.95 43.8% $ 34.95 $ 5,123,146.69 4.5% $ 14.97 8.7% $ 20.97 $ 612,426.98 5.2% $ 12.95 7.9% $ 12.95 $ 415,906.77
February 228,455 4.7% $0 3.1% $0 - 0 22.8% 24.95 41.6% 34.95 4,621,142.05 4.9% 14.97 9.4% 20.97 617,904.52 5.0% 12.95 8.5% 12.95 399,396.45
March 261,996 4.1% $0 3.3% $0 - 0 23.1% 24.95 43.6% 34.95 5,502,348.29 4.0% 14.97 7.8% 20.97 585,419.58 5.8% 12.95 8.3% 12.95 478,391.60
Q1 735,614 - 0 15,246,637.04 1,815,751.09 1,293,694.82 $ 18,356,082.94
April 255,898 4.3% $0 3.8% $0 - 0 23.9% 24.95 41.2% 34.95 5,210,710.23 4.7% 14.97 9.0% 20.97 663,003.57 5.1% 12.95 8.0% 12.95 434,118.16
May 270,268 4.6% $0 3.0% $0 - 0 24.1% 24.95 44.2% 34.95 5,800,181.01 4.3% 14.97 8.9% 20.97 678,383.49 4.2% 12.95 6.7% 12.95 381,496.80
June 256,758 4.9% $0 4.3% $0 - 0 23.6% 24.95 44.7% 34.95 5,523,082.82 4.6% 14.97 9.3% 20.97 677,540.71 3.7% 12.95 4.9% 12.95 285,951.38
Q2 782,924 - 0 16,533,974.06 2,018,927.77 1,101,566.34 19,654,468.18
July 270,000 4.9% $0 4.0% $0 - 0 22.2% 19.95 41.2% 29.95 4,527,441.00 5.2% 14.97 10.4% 20.97 799,016.40 4.9% 12.95 7.2% 12.95 423,076.50
August 260,209 4.9% $0 4.1% $0 - 0 21.6% 19.95 43.3% 29.95 4,495,774.01 4.8% 14.97 11.0% 20.97 787,199.88 4.4% 12.95 5.9% 12.95 347,079.77
September 256,207 4.1% $0 3.4% $0 - 0 22.9% 19.95 42.6% 29.95 4,439,362.74 4.6% 14.97 10.4% 20.97 735,185.99 5.3% 12.95 6.7% 12.95 398,145.68
Q3 786,416 - 0 13,462,577.75 2,321,402.27 1,168,301.95 16,952,281.97
October 273,523 4.5% $0 3.7% $0 - 0 23.1% 24.95 43.2% 34.95 5,706,195.80 4.1% 14.97 9.7% 20.97 724,250.61 4.9% 12.95 6.8% 12.95 414,428.37
November 246,589 4.5% $0 4.1% $0 - 0 23.7% 24.95 42.9% 34.95 5,155,362.25 4.0% 14.97 8.8% 20.97 602,702.97 5.0% 12.95 7.0% 12.95 383,199.31
December 233,385 4.3% $0 4.1% $0 - 0 23.0% 24.95 42.5% 34.95 4,805,922.27 4.2% 14.97 8.4% 20.97 557,841.49 5.4% 12.95 8.1% 12.95 408,015.33
Q4 753,497 - 0 15,667,480.31 1,884,795.08 1,205,643.01 18,757,918.39
20X5 Annual Totals 3,058,451 - 0 $ 60,910,669.16 $ 8,040,876.20 $ 4,769,206.12 $ 73,720,751.48
A.02 A.03 A.01 A.03 A.01 A.03 A.01 A.03 A.01 A.03 A.01 A.03 A.01 A.03 A.01 A.03 A.01
Stage 2: Compare Expectation to Unaudited Account Balance (PCAOB AS 2305.22.b)
Unaudited Account Balance ( PBC ) A.01 73,468,219.00
Observed Difference 252,532.48
Tolerable Difference A.01 675,000.00
Is |Observed Difference| < Tolerable Difference? Yes
If Observed Difference is less than Tolerable Difference, then analytic supports unaudited amount.
Stage 3: Prescribe Additional Audit Procedures (PCAOB AS 2305.22.c)
The independent estimated developed from the analytical procedure - which was designed with sufficient precision to provide reasonable assurance regarding this estimate - supports the client's reported Ticket Sales Revenue account balance. Because much of the data underlying the analytic was provided by the client, recommend additional substantive testing of cash/credit-card receipts to provide additional corroborative evidence regarding the occurrence of transactions.