ACFE Updated CFE-Financial-Transactions-and-Fraud-Schemes Exam Questions and Answers by caspian

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer:When a single employee is responsible for opening the mail and recording payments, the risk of theft of incoming checks is greatest. This lack of segregation of duties allows one person both custody of funds and recordkeeping authority, a classic internal control weakness.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B & C – Involving two or more employees provides better segregation of duties, reducing the risk.

D. None of the above – Incorrect since option A directly matches.

Key Concept:Segregation of duties to prevent skimming/theft of incoming checks.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer:Net realizable value (NRV) is the estimated selling price of an asset in the ordinary course of business, minus any costs of completion, disposal, or transportation. This is often applied in valuing accounts receivable and inventory.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Going concern – Assumption of business continuity, not asset valuation.

C. Cost – Historical cost, not future realizable value.

D. Fair value – Current market-based measure, not net proceeds after costs.

Key Concept:Net realizable value — valuation method for receivables and inventory.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The accounting framework a company must follow depends on the jurisdiction in which it is publicly traded. For example, U.S.-listed companies must follow GAAP, while companies in the EU must use IFRS. Some countries allow or require IFRS, others mandate local GAAP.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B – Incorrect; some jurisdictions have their own national GAAP not tied to U.S. GAAP or IFRS.

C – Incorrect; international operations do not mandate IFRS—jurisdictional rules apply.

D – Incorrect; U.S. GAAP is rules-based, IFRS is principles-based (the reverse of what’s stated).

Key Concept: Financial reporting standards are jurisdiction-driven.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer:The word delude means to mislead the mind or judgment so completely that the truth is obscured. In fraud examination, this aligns with the ACFE definition of fraud as a “deliberate misrepresentation that causes another to act to their detriment.” Fraud is not merely a false statement; it involves concealment or suppression of the truth with the intent to induce reliance. Thus, delude most accurately represents the deeper essence of fraud.

Analysis of Incorrect Options (Distractors):

A. Deceive: While fraud does involve deception, this word does not fully convey the thoroughness of obscuring the truth that fraud entails.

C. Mislead: This implies causing error or leading astray but lacks the complete concealment aspect central to fraud.

D. Beguile: Often connotes charm or trickery rather than the intentional concealment that characterizes fraud.

Key Concept:This question tests the definition and essence of fraud — specifically that fraud is not only about deceiving but about deluding, or thoroughly misleading, in a way that obscures the truth.