In 1989, Robert Smith opened a small fruit and vegetable
market in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Originally
Smith sold only produce grown on his family farm
and orchard. As the market’s popularity grew, however,
he added bread, canned goods, fresh meats, and
a limited supply of frozen goods. Today, Smith’s Market
is a full-range farmers’ market with a strong local
customer base. Indeed, the market’s reputation for low
prices and high quality draws customers from other
Pennsylvania cities and even from the neighboring
state of New Jersey. Smith’s currently has forty employees,
including sales staff, shelf stockers, farm
laborers, shift supervisors, and clerical staff. Recently
Smith has noticed a decline in profits and sales, while
his purchases of products for resale have continued to
rise. Although the company does not prepare audited
financial statements, Robert Smith has commissioned
your public accounting firm to assess his company’s
sales procedures and internal controls. Smith’s Market
expenditure cycle procedures are described below: