Final answer:
The detective control option is 'd. Counting inventory on hand and comparing counts to the perpetual inventory records'. Detective controls are meant to detect issues post-occurrence, such as discrepancies in the cash drawer or inventory mismanagement, which highlight the importance of consistent internal processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The detective control among the given options is d. Counting inventory on hand and comparing counts to the perpetual inventory records.
A detective control is a type of internal control mechanism that is designed to identify errors, inaccuracies, or irregularities after they have occurred. These controls are used to detect issues and ensure that appropriate corrections are made to maintain the integrity of financial and operational processes. For example:
- Reconciling bank statements can help identify discrepancies between the company's cash records and the bank's records, thus detecting errors or unauthorized transactions.
- Regularly counting inventory and comparing it to perpetual inventory records can reveal losses, theft, or mismanagement of stock.
- Maintaining frequent backups is a preventive measure to protect against data loss, but does not detect errors in financial transactions.
- Approving customer credit is a preventative control that occurs before a sales order is approved to mitigate the risk of non-payment.
In the scenario of the cashier being accused of theft, detective controls such as reconciling the cash drawer or conducting a review of surveillance tapes could provide evidence to confirm or dispel the accusations.