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

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer:Intangible assets are long-lived assets that lack physical substance and differ from property, plant, and equipment. Examples include goodwill, patents, trademarks, and copyrights. They provide long-term benefits but cannot be physically touched.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Tangible Assets – These have physical form (e.g., equipment, land).

C. Forced Assets – Not an accounting category.

D. None of the above – Incorrect since intangible assets match the definition.

Key Concept:Classification of Assets — tangible vs. intangible.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer:Technical security controls include software- and hardware-based measures such as application security, firewalls, and encryption. Application security protects against vulnerabilities in the programs employees use.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Human audits – Administrative control, not technical.

C. Penetration testing – A detective measure/test, not a control itself.

D. Data security – A broad goal, not a specific technical control.

Key Concept: Technical security controls for preventing cyberfraud.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer:The accounting definition of assets, as cited by Marshall and in GAAP frameworks, is “probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by a particular entity as a result of past transactions or events.” This definition underlies balance sheet recognition of assets.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Liabilities – Represent probable future sacrifices, not benefits.

C. Credentials – Irrelevant to financial reporting.

D. None of the above – Incorrect since “assets” directly matches.

Key Concept:Definition of Assets under financial accounting frameworks.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer:Per generally accepted accounting principles, changes in accounting principles must be disclosed in the financial statements to ensure comparability and transparency. The ACFE notes that disclosures are critical to prevent misleading users of financial statements.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Subsequent events – Material subsequent events must be disclosed; this statement is false.

B. Contingent losses – Only probable and reasonably estimable losses must be disclosed. If unlikely, no disclosure is required.

C. All information – Only material information requires disclosure.

Key Concept: Disclosure requirements in financial reporting.