CFE-Fraud-Schemes-and-Financial-Crimes Sample Questions Answers

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The correct answer is A. Fiduciary Capacity . According to the Fraud Examiners Manual (2020 International Edition) , a fiduciary relationship exists when a person is entrusted with the property or affairs of another and is obligated to act in the best interest of that person, rather than for their own benefit. Fiduciary capacity is a key legal concept in fraud examinations, particularly in cases involving breaches of trust, embezzlement, or misappropriation.

Analysis of Incorrect Options (Distractors):

B. Embezzlement – Embezzlement is the wrongful appropriation of assets by a person entrusted with them. While it often arises from a fiduciary relationship, it describes the act of theft , not the capacity in which the person acts.

C. Conversion – Conversion refers to the unauthorized use or control over another’s property, a civil wrong, but it does not describe the relationship of acting on another’s behalf.

D. None of the above – Incorrect, since “fiduciary capacity” directly fits the definition in the question.

Key Concept: Understanding fiduciary duty and fiduciary capacity , which form the legal foundation for identifying when a person has a duty to act on behalf of another, often forming the basis for fraud-related legal claims.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The matching principle under GAAP requires that revenues and the corresponding expenses incurred to generate those revenues be recorded in the same period. Failing to do so misstates income and violates accrual accounting.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Revenue and Income statement – The income statement is a report, not an item to be matched.

C. Income statement and Long-term contracts – Long-term contracts follow special rules (percentage of completion, completed contract), not the general matching principle.

D. Capitalized expenses and Liabilities – Not part of the matching principle.

Key Concept: Matching Principle — recording related revenues and expenses in the same period.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: This is a tech-support scam , in which fraudsters trick victims into believing their computers are infected and then charge fees for unnecessary or fake repairs. The scam often targets elderly victims.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Pharming – Redirects users to fake websites, not fake support calls.

B. Bait and switch – Advertising deception, not fraudulent computer support.

D. Smishing – Fraud via SMS text messages, not on-screen computer popups.

Key Concept: Consumer fraud schemes — tech-support scams.

Option A describes a card skimming or shimming scheme. Skimming involves using a hidden device to capture payment card information, often from a magnetic stripe, while shimming commonly involves a device inserted into a card reader to capture chip-card data. A small camera can also be used to record PIN entry. Automated teller machines and point-of-sale terminals are common targets because customers insert or swipe cards and enter authentication data. Option B involves theft or sale of card information but not skimming or shimming through a reader. Option C describes physical card theft or retention. Option D does not clearly show capture of card credentials. The ACFE material discusses ATM fraud, including skimming and shimming, as financial institution fraud risks.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: According to the Fraud Examiners Manual (2020 International Edition) , offenders can be categorized into types. Absconders are individuals who commit fraud and immediately flee with the proceeds (“take the money and run”). They differ from long-term violators who maintain their frauds for extended periods while concealing them. Thus, the correct answer is A. Absconders .

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Long-term violators – These offenders commit frauds over a long period and often maintain their positions of trust while continuing the scheme.

C. Offender types – Too vague; not a specific classification.

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

Key Concept: Offender Typologies — distinguishing between absconders and long-term violators in occupational fraud.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Fraudsters often use write-offs to remove stolen inventory or assets from the books. By recording items as obsolete, damaged, or uncollectible, they eliminate them from records, concealing theft.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Altered – Too broad, not a standard concealment term.

B. Perpetual – A system, not a concealment method.

C. False shipping slip – Used to divert assets, not write them off.

Key Concept: Write-offs as a method of concealing noncash asset theft.

The correct answer is D. Supervisor authorization of overtime and verification of hours worked are strong preventive controls against payroll fraud, especially falsified hours and salary schemes. Payroll fraud frequently occurs when employees overstate hours, submit unauthorized overtime, manipulate time records, or receive pay for time not worked. Supervisory review creates accountability and provides an independent check before payroll is processed. Option A is improper because payroll preparation and bank reconciliation should be segregated. Option B is not recommended because direct deposit can reduce paycheck theft and distribution risks. Option C is weak because allowing coworkers to collect paychecks can create opportunities for misappropriation. The ACFE materials identify overtime authorization and payroll review as important payroll fraud controls.

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Henrietta is engaging in a need recognition scheme. Procurement begins when the organization identifies a need for goods or services. In a fraudulent need recognition scheme, an employee creates, exaggerates, or falsely justifies a need so the organization will purchase unnecessary goods or services from a favored vendor. Henrietta fabricates beetle sightings to convince management that specialized pest control services are required. Her receipt of money from the contractor shows corrupt motivation and vendor collusion. This is not bid tailoring because the facts do not involve drafting specifications to favor a bidder. It is not nonconforming services because the issue is the false need, not defective performance. It is not bid manipulation because the bidding process itself is not the main misconduct.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Physical inventory counts involve actually counting items on hand and comparing them to book records. These counts can reveal theft, errors, or shrinkage when discrepancies are identified.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Perpetual inventory counts – The system tracks expected balances but cannot independently confirm theft.

C. Concealment inventory counts – Not a recognized term.

D. None of the above – Incorrect, since physical counts do aid detection.

Key Concept: Physical inventory counts as a fraud detection tool.

The correct answer is A. Baker used the company’s purchasing function to acquire goods for his personal benefit, making the scheme a personal purchase with company funds. This type of billing scheme occurs when an employee causes the organization to pay for goods or services that are not for legitimate business use. The fact that Baker ordered unnecessary supplies and used them to improve his house shows a personal benefit disguised as a business purchase. A pass-through scheme involves an intermediary company used to resell goods or services at inflated prices. A pay-and-return scheme involves overpaying a vendor and diverting the refund. Theft of inventory is less precise because Baker fraudulently caused the company to purchase the items.

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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: Employees authorized to grant discounts may exploit this by issuing false discounts . They pocket part of the customer’s payment while recording a reduced sale amount, making the books appear balanced.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Recording a discount on sale procedure – A legitimate process, not fraud.

C. Internal discount sales audits – A control, not a scheme.

D. None of the above – Incorrect since false discounts are a recognized method.

Key Concept: False discount schemes as a skimming method.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Prenumbering and controlling shipping documents is a strong preventive measure against inventory theft because it ensures all inventory leaving the warehouse is properly authorized and tracked.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Same person for requisition and receiving – Violates segregation of duties.

B. Purchasing supervisor counting inventory – Creates conflict; inventory should be counted by independent staff.

D. Same person for shipping and scrap – Increases fraud risk.

Key Concept: Inventory theft prevention — control over documentation.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: This is True . Fraudulent financial reporting often involves manipulating depreciation. By lowering or delaying depreciation expense, companies can inflate profits and overstate asset values. This is a common method of financial statement fraud related to earnings management.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. False – Incorrect, as understatement of depreciation clearly inflates reported profits.

Key Concept: Depreciation Manipulation in Financial Statement Fraud .

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Best practice is to minimize collection of sensitive data such as government identification numbers, only obtaining them when legally required. This reduces the risk of identity theft exposure in case of a breach.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Use government IDs as employee IDs – Increases risk of exposure, not prevention.

B. Audit information practices only when required – Insufficient; audits should be regular and proactive.

C. Use encryption only for external transfers – Encryption should always be applied, not selectively.

Key Concept: Identity theft prevention for businesses .

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The Asset Turnover Ratio measures how efficiently a company uses its assets to generate revenue. It is calculated as Net Sales ÷ Average Total Assets . Higher ratios indicate better efficiency.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Quick ratio – Liquidity ratio, not asset efficiency.

B. Receivable turnover ratio – Measures efficiency in collecting receivables, not overall asset use.

C. Debt-to-equity ratio – Capital structure metric, not efficiency.

Key Concept: Financial ratio analysis — asset utilization efficiency .

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Cost mischarging occurs when costs are charged to improper accounts or contracts. The best way to detect it is through analytical review —comparing direct vs. indirect labor account totals across periods to identify unusual shifts or spikes.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Reviewing inspection/testing reports – Effective for detecting defective/substituted goods, not mischarging.

C. Inspecting packaging – Identifies product substitution, not accounting mischarges.

D. Examining change orders – Useful for contract fraud, but not direct mischarging.

Key Concept: Cost mischarging detection through analytical procedures .

The correct answer is A because businesses should protect employees’ and customers’ personal information, particularly when it is transmitted over wireless networks. Encryption reduces the risk that identity thieves can intercept and misuse sensitive information. Option B is poor practice because using government identification numbers as employee identification numbers increases exposure if internal records are accessed. Option C is too broad and not risk-based; access to customer information should be limited to employees with a legitimate business need, not simply management status. Option D is incorrect because regular audits and reviews of information-handling practices help identify weaknesses and improve identity theft prevention. The ACFE material emphasizes methods of preventing identity theft for businesses, including safeguards for personal identifying information.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: According to the ACFE Fraud Tree, cash-related asset misappropriation schemes fall into three categories: Skimming (off-book theft), Cash Larceny (on-book theft), and Fraudulent Disbursements (bogus outflows such as billing, payroll, and check tampering) .

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Fraud analysis, skimming, and cash misappropriations – “Fraud analysis” and “cash misappropriations” are not fraud tree categories.

C. Cash larceny, cash distribution, and fraudulent disbursements – “Cash distribution” is not a fraud tree category.

D. Cash distribution, skimming, and fraud analysis – Includes non-fraud tree terms.

Key Concept: Fraud Tree — Cash Schemes: Skimming, Cash Larceny, Fraudulent Disbursements.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Kickbacks are undisclosed payments made by vendors to employees of purchasing companies to secure favorable treatment. They are a classic form of bribery under the corruption classification of the Fraud Tree.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Bid-rigging – Involves collusion among bidders, not secret payments.

C. Presolicitation – A phase in procurement fraud, not the scheme itself.

D. None of the above – Incorrect, as kickbacks are the precise answer.

Key Concept: Kickbacks — secret vendor payments for favorable purchasing treatment.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Option B is NOT a typical fraud-related aspect of inventory purchases. An increase in year 2 inventory being greater than year 1 is not, by itself, an indicator of fraud — it could reflect growth. However:

A describes “inventory build-up and liquidation” schemes,

C highlights mismatches between sales and purchases,

D acknowledges possible fraud schemes.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A – Recognized fraud indicator.

C – Suggests fictitious sales or revenue manipulation.

D – Correctly signals potential fraud.

Key Concept: Red flags in inventory purchases and mismatched patterns.

Jay committed a purchasing and receiving scheme because the theft occurred during the receiving process and was concealed by falsifying receiving documentation. In this type of inventory misappropriation, an employee involved in receiving goods can steal part of an incoming shipment and manipulate records so the shortage is not detected. The ACFE material identifies purchasing and receiving schemes, falsifying incoming shipments, and altered inventory records as inventory theft methods. This is not a false sale because no fictitious customer sale is created. It is not a register disbursement scheme because no refund, void, or cash register transaction is involved. It is also not skimming because no unrecorded cash receipt is stolen.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: A ghost employee scheme occurs when fictitious or former employees remain on payroll. Detecting duplicate addresses, Social Security/Government ID numbers, or other anomalies between HR and payroll records is a classic detection method for ghost employees.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Fraudulent commissions scheme – Relates to sales manipulation, not duplicate personnel records.

B. Falsified hours and salary scheme – Involves timekeeping, not fictitious employees.

C. Expense reimbursement scheme – Concerns fraudulent expense claims, unrelated to payroll records.

Key Concept: Payroll fraud — Ghost Employee scheme .

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Simply holding two jobs without disclosure is not inherently a conflict of interest unless the roles compete, overlap, or present divided loyalties. The other options all describe undisclosed financial or relational interests that conflict with the employer’s best interest.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Harriet’s stock ownership – Direct financial conflict.

C. Jennifer’s board positions – Competing loyalties between competitors.

D. Ernest hiring his brother – Nepotism without disclosure is a conflict.

Key Concept: Conflict of interest schemes in corruption.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Recognized schemes for stealing inventory include:

Larceny schemes (direct theft)

Asset requisition and transfer schemes (false requisitions to divert assets)

Purchasing and receiving schemes (over-ordering or falsifying deliveries).

“ Sales & Equipment handling ” is not a defined fraud scheme, making D correct.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Larceny schemes – Valid theft method.

B. Asset requisition and transfer – Document manipulation method.

C. Purchasing and receiving schemes – Valid misappropriation scheme.

Key Concept: Inventory theft schemes under the Fraud Tree.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Human intelligence (HUMINT) involves gathering information directly from people, often through deception, elicitation, or impersonation. Georgina’s posing as a customer to obtain confidential details fits this method.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Baiting – A social engineering tactic using false promises (e.g., malware disguised as freebies).

C. Scavenging – Collecting discarded information (e.g., dumpster diving).

D. Open-source intelligence – Gathering data from public records, news, or websites, not through elicitation.

Key Concept: Methods of competitive intelligence and social engineering.

The correct answer is B. Skimming involves stealing cash before it is recorded in the organization’s accounting system. Separating the duties of collecting cash and accessing or posting to the accounts receivable journal is an effective preventive control because it prevents one employee from both taking funds and manipulating records to conceal the theft. Job rotation can help, but it is less direct. Comparing sales records to cash received and reviewing deposit timing are more detective than preventive in nature. The strongest control is segregation of duties between custody of cash and recordkeeping authority. The ACFE cash receipts materials emphasize receipt-level controls, general controls, and separation of duties as primary measures for preventing skimming schemes.

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The correct answer is C. Collectibles fraud often involves misrepresenting authenticity, rarity, condition, provenance, or value of items such as rare books, art, coins, stamps, or memorabilia. A professional appraisal before purchase is the strongest option because it provides independent evaluation of authenticity and value. A dealer’s social media presence does not prove legitimacy. A list of prior sales might be fabricated or unverifiable. A dealer’s description of condition is useful but still comes from the seller and might be biased or false. The ACFE consumer fraud materials identify art and rare-item schemes as consumer fraud risks, and independent verification is an important safeguard before paying for expensive collectibles.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Under GAAP, revenue is recognized when it is realized or realizable and earned . This requires that the earnings process be substantially complete, and payment be reasonably assured.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Fictitious and Earned – Fictitious revenues are fraud, not recognized revenue.

C. Realized and Evidenced – Evidence supports recognition, but “earned” is the proper standard.

D. All of the above – Incorrect, since only option A is correct.

Key Concept: Revenue recognition principle — realized/realizable and earned.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: This definition matches corruption , a broad category of occupational fraud in which employees use their influence in business transactions to gain personal benefit, in violation of their duties. Corruption schemes include bribery, conflicts of interest, illegal gratuities, and extortion.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Conflict of interest – A subtype of corruption, but narrower in scope.

C. Bribery – Also a subtype, but the definition given covers the broader category.

D. Overbilling – A billing scheme under fraudulent disbursements, not corruption.

Key Concept: Corruption as defined in the Fraud Tree.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: When employees steal incoming checks and deposit them into interest-bearing accounts, they may be (1) converting the stolen checks , (2) temporarily concealing the fraud , and (3) executing a form of short-term skimming . All options apply, making D. All of the above correct.

Analysis of Incorrect Options: Each of A, B, and C alone captures part of the practice, but only D reflects the full scope.

Key Concept: Check theft and temporary placement in personal accounts as part of skimming concealment.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: In fictitious revenue schemes , sales are recorded that never occurred. Because no actual customers exist, there will be no late or overdue accounts receivable. The Fraud Examiners Manual (2020) notes that unusually clean receivables aging reports—i.e., no overdue balances—can be a red flag of revenue manipulation.

Analysis of Incorrect Option:

B. False – Incorrect; the absence of overdue receivables is indeed suspicious and aligns with fictitious revenue fraud.

Key Concept: Financial statement fraud red flags — fictitious revenues.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: This is True . When an employee has significant authority or discretion in the procurement process (e.g., drafting specifications, approving vendors, or evaluating bids), they are more capable of steering contracts toward favored suppliers. This increases the risk of corruption schemes like kickbacks or bid-rigging .

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. False – Incorrect; influence grows with authority over procurement.

Key Concept: Procurement authority is a key risk factor for corruption.

Rationale for Correct Answer: Traditional bribery laws historically applied only to government officials . When bribery occurs in the private sector (commercial setting), it is known as commercial bribery . Modern laws and internal company codes address this as well.

Key Concept: Commercial bribery vs. government bribery.

Kara’s conduct is best classified as a consumption tax scheme because she is underreporting the taxable value of sales transactions. Consumption taxes include sales tax, value-added tax, and excise taxes collected from the sale of goods or services. The ACFE material explains that fraudsters evade consumption taxes by omitting transactions or deflating transaction values in tax records. Here, Kara does not merely hide wealth or claim false deductions; she misstates the value of goods sold so the tax authority calculates less tax than is owed. Wealth tax evasion concerns assets or net worth, while tax credit and deduction schemes involve improper reductions of tax liability through credits or expenses.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Corporate spies do use social engineering, but their primary methods include surveillance, infiltration (e.g., posing as employees), and technical monitoring. The statement in option C is false because searching desks/workstations is a tactic, but it is not the primary method.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A – True; fake badges are a common infiltration tactic.

B – True; low-level jobs provide physical access.

D – True; technical surveillance is a recognized method.

Key Concept: Methods of corporate espionage.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: One of the strongest internal controls against fraudulent billing schemes (such as shell companies, inflated invoices, and kickbacks) is to require competitive bidding . This ensures transparency, reduces favoritism, and makes it harder for employees and vendors to collude.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A – Fraud tips are valuable, but routing them only through supervisors may suppress reporting; hotlines are more effective.

B – Combining purchasing and payment increases fraud risk by reducing segregation of duties.

D – Outsourcing negotiations does not directly prevent billing fraud.

Key Concept: Internal controls and segregation of duties in preventing billing schemes.

Maria and Annie’s actions are a fraudulent death claim scheme. In life insurance fraud, a fraudulent death claim occurs when a person falsely represents that the insured has died to obtain policy proceeds. The scheme can involve a fabricated death, a phony death certificate, staged disappearance, or collusion between the insured and beneficiary. Here, Annie is alive, and Maria submits a false claim supported by a phony death certificate. A tombstone policy claim generally involves policies or claims connected to deceased persons or fraudulent use of death information, but the facts here involve a living insured falsely reported as dead. Premium theft concerns misappropriation of premiums, and beneficiary extortion is not the scheme described.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: This statement is True . ACFE research shows that external audits, while valuable, are generally not effective at detecting fraud quickly . Organizations with only external audits often experience higher median losses and longer-lasting schemes compared to those with stronger internal controls and fraud-specific detection mechanisms. External audits are not designed to catch fraud; their focus is on financial statement accuracy.

Key Concept: Effectiveness of External Audits in fraud detection versus prevention and internal controls.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The going concern assumption means that a business will continue operating indefinitely and will not liquidate in the near future. This underpins the use of historical cost accounting and normal accrual-based reporting.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Materiality – Relates to significance of information, not continuity.

C. Cost – Refers to historical cost valuation.

D. Fair value – Refers to current market value, not continuity.

Key Concept: Going Concern Assumption in accounting.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The accounts receivable journal (also called the sales journal) records all sales transactions, whether on credit or cash. It provides a detailed subsidiary record of customer accounts and sales activity.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Disbursement journal – Records cash outflows, not sales.

C. Accounts payable journal – Records amounts owed to vendors, not sales.

D. General journal – Records miscellaneous entries not suited to specialized journals.

Key Concept: Special journals — sales activity recorded in the accounts receivable journal.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Gross profit = Net sales – Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). This is the correct definition, as per standard accounting principles.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Gross revenue – Defined as total sales before deductions, not after.

B. Net profit – Net profit is after all expenses (operating, interest, taxes), not before.

D. Operating expenses – Appear after gross profit, not at the top.

Key Concept: Income statement structure and key definitions .

The ACFE Fraud Examiners Manual addresses Expense Reimbursement Schemes under Asset Misappropriation: Fraudulent Disbursements and separates the discussion into:

Detection of Expense Reimbursement Schemes

Prevention of Expense Reimbursement Schemes

The Manual specifically identifies “Detailed Expense Reports: Submission and Review” as the prevention approach for expense reimbursement fraud.

Why A is correct

Requiring all employees to submit receipts electronically is not, by itself, a preventive control recognized by the Manual. The ACFE’s prevention focus is on requiring detailed expense reports , adequate supporting documentation, and careful review—not merely changing the format of submission from paper to electronic. In fact, because expense reimbursement fraud often involves altered receipts , fictitious receipts , and other manipulated support, simply requiring electronic submission does not meaningfully prevent the scheme. The Manual lists schemes such as altered receipts and producing fictitious receipts , showing that the problem is the authenticity and review of documentation, not whether the receipt is submitted electronically.

Why the other options are helpful

B. Comparing current expenses to budgeted expense amounts

This is helpful because the Manual includes review and analysis of expense accounts as part of detecting these schemes. Comparing reported expenses to expected or budgeted levels can reveal unusual spikes or anomalies that may indicate fraud.

C. Requiring employees to explain the specific business purpose of each expense

This is clearly helpful and consistent with the Manual’s prevention emphasis on detailed expense reports and proper documentation. Requiring a specific business purpose makes it harder to submit personal, inflated, or fictitious expenses.

D. Comparing current expenses to historical expenditure amounts

This is also helpful because the Manual’s review and analysis of expense accounts supports analytical comparisons to identify irregularities, trends, or unexplained increases in reimbursements. Historical comparison is a classic way to spot padded or abnormal expense claims.

Conclusion

Under the ACFE Manual, prevention of expense reimbursement schemes depends on detailed reporting, documentation, and review . Merely requiring receipts to be submitted electronically does not address whether the receipts are false, altered, duplicated, or unsupported. Therefore, the choice that would NOT be helpful in preventing expense reimbursement schemes is:

A. Requiring all employees to submit receipts electronically

References

ACFE Fraud Examiners Manual, 2020 International Edition

Expense Reimbursement Schemes

Detection of Expense Reimbursement Schemes / Review and Analysis of Expense Accounts

Prevention of Expense Reimbursement Schemes / Detailed Expense Reports: Submission and Review

Altered Receipts / Producing Fictitious Receipts

Timothy is a victim of a pig butchering scheme. This scam combines long-term relationship manipulation with fraudulent investment activity, commonly involving cryptocurrency. The fraudster builds trust over weeks or months, moves the victim to a private messaging channel, and encourages investments through a fake platform. The victim often sees apparent gains, but the trading platform is controlled by the fraudster or does not exist. Once the victim attempts to withdraw funds, the fraudster disappears or demands more money. This is not a Ponzi scheme because the facts do not involve paying old investors with new investor funds. It is not a pump-and-dump because no market manipulation of a traded security is described. It is broader than a simple advance-fee scheme.

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The correct answer is D. Organizations should protect proprietary information by using appropriate physical, administrative, and technical safeguards. For highly confidential discussions, specially constructed quiet rooms can reduce the risk of eavesdropping, interception, or unauthorized disclosure. The ACFE materials identify quiet rooms as part of a program for safeguarding proprietary information. Option A is not the best answer because the focus should be on protecting the organization’s own information, not merely studying competitors. Option B is impractical and too absolute; visitor access should be monitored and controlled, not necessarily prohibited entirely. Option C is incorrect because data minimization, not maximization, reduces exposure during a breach. Effective protection also includes policies, training, data classification, nondisclosure agreements, and access controls.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: An advance-fee scheme occurs when fraudsters request upfront payments (fees, commissions, or deposits) for services or opportunities that never materialize. The broker taking the fee without providing services is a classic case.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Bait and switch – Advertising one product/service but delivering another, not applicable here.

C. Split deposit scheme – Involves diversion of payroll or deposits, not loans.

D. Scavenger scheme – Charging for unnecessary services, often debt collection or foreclosure help, not applicable.

Key Concept: Advance-fee frauds as common financial scams.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: An underring occurs when an employee intentionally enters a lower sales amount into the register than what was collected from the customer. The difference is pocketed by the employee. This is a common register manipulation skimming scheme.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Recording a sale procedure – General process, not fraud.

C. Internal sales audits – Control activity, not the fraud scheme.

D. All of the above – Incorrect, since only “underring” is accurate.

Key Concept: Underring schemes in cash register fraud.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The journal is specifically the chronological record of transactions. Each entry captures date, accounts affected, amounts, and explanation, making it the foundational record before posting to the ledger.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Asset – Not a record, but a resource.

C. Checkbook – Only records cash movements, not all transactions.

D. Ledger – Summarizes accounts, but not in chronological order.

Key Concept: Chronological recording of transactions via the journal.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: A false balance occurs when incorrect totals are intentionally carried forward from the journal to the ledger or from the ledger to the financial statements. This is often used as a concealment technique in fraud to make the books appear balanced while hiding irregularities.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Forced Balance – Involves adding fictitious entries to force accounts into balance.

B. Out-of-balance – Results when entries don’t match, but not specifically from carried totals.

D. None of all – Incorrect since “false balance” is the precise term.

Key Concept: False balance entries as concealment techniques in fraudulent bookkeeping.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The ACFE describes occupational fraud and abuse as an expense of doing business because organizations inevitably face losses from it, just as they incur other operating costs. This framing emphasizes the importance of prevention and detection to minimize this “expense.”

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Equity – Residual ownership interest, not relevant here.

B. Balance sheet – A report, not a cost.

D. Financial record – Too vague.

Key Concept: Occupational Fraud as a Cost of Business .

The correct answer is D. The balance sheet is based on the fundamental accounting equation: Assets = Liabilities + Owners’ Equity. Assets represent resources owned or controlled by the entity. Liabilities represent obligations owed to creditors, while owners’ equity represents the owners’ residual interest after liabilities are deducted from assets. Because every accounting transaction affects at least two accounts, the equation must remain in balance. Revenues, expenses, cost of goods sold, and gross profit are primarily income statement elements, not the two main components that balance against assets on the statement of financial position. Understanding this equation is essential for fraud examiners because improper entries, concealed liabilities, overstated assets, and equity manipulation can distort financial statements.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: ACFE’s occupational fraud surveys consistently show that males are more often the primary perpetrators than females , accounting for approximately 62% of cases compared to 37% for females . This is attributed to higher representation of males in positions of authority and access. Therefore, C. 62 versus 37 is correct.

Key Concept: Demographics of Fraud Perpetrators — gender-based survey findings.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The balance sheet summarizes account balances from the ledger at a specific date, presenting assets, liabilities, and equity. It reflects the organization’s financial position and is derived from ledger balances.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Income statement – Summarizes revenues and expenses, not all ledger balances.

C. Financial statement – A general term, but the specific answer here is balance sheet.

D. General journal – Book of original entry, not a summary.

Key Concept: Balance sheet as a summary of ledger accounts.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Fraudsters may use false packing slips to misdirect deliveries of inventory. By altering or falsifying packing documentation, employees can ensure goods are sent to themselves or accomplices instead of legitimate recipients.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. False shipping slip – Related but less accurate; shipping documents are broader.

C. Fraudulent inventory slip – Not a standard fraud term.

D. False credit slip – Relates to receivables manipulation, not inventory deliveries.

Key Concept: False packing slip schemes in inventory misappropriation.

The correct answer is B. Corrupt payments are not limited to direct cash bribes; they may be disguised as gifts, meals, travel, entertainment, loans, discounts, consulting fees, or other benefits. Paying a recipient’s travel and entertainment expenses with a credit card provides something of value to the recipient and can be used to influence official or business decision-making. Option A is not the best answer because renting property from the recipient at below-market rent benefits the payer, not the recipient. Option C similarly benefits the payer if the recipient overpays. Option D is not corrupt as stated because the loan is legitimate and has a high interest rate, not favorable terms. The professional focus is whether value is transferred to influence conduct.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Management may overstate financial statements to (B) meet performance criteria, (C) trigger bonuses/compensation, or (D) show growth to enhance valuation for sale. However, when seeking to comply with debt covenants , management typically understates liabilities or expenses — not overstates performance. Thus, A is not aligned with overstatement motives.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B, C, D – All are recognized motives for overstating business performance.

A. Comply with debt covenants – More linked to manipulation of liabilities (often understatement), not overstatement of revenue.

Key Concept: Motives for overstatement in financial statement fraud.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Fraudsters may solicit bids from fictitious suppliers (phony vendors) to create the illusion of competition. This ensures that the favored vendor wins while maintaining the appearance of a legitimate competitive bidding process.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Solicit transactions from fictitious vendors – Incorrect phrasing; bids, not transactions, are solicited.

C. Solicit bid-splitting… – Bid-splitting is a different fraud scheme, not part of solicitation.

D. None of the above – Incorrect, since A is accurate.

Key Concept: Phony bid solicitation as a corruption tactic in procurement.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Donald Cressey’s fraud triangle identifies three conditions that lead to occupational fraud: (1) Pressure (financial or other), (2) Opportunity (ability to commit without detection), and (3) Rationalization (justification by the perpetrator to make the act acceptable in their own mind). Thus, the third leg is Rationalization .

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Violation – Not part of the fraud triangle.

B. Isolation – Not a recognized component of the model.

D. None of the above – Incorrect because rationalization is explicitly the correct answer.

Key Concept: Fraud Triangle — Opportunity, Pressure, Rationalization .

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Revenue recognition requires that delivery has occurred or services have been rendered . If installation, testing, and customer acceptance have not occurred (A), or if a written order exists but with a right of return (B), delivery is not considered complete. Both scenarios prevent proper revenue recognition. Hence, the correct answer is C. Both A & B .

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A – Correct condition, but incomplete.

B – Correct condition, but incomplete.

D. Neither A nor B – Incorrect, as both conditions do prevent recognition.

Key Concept: Revenue recognition fraud risks — recognizing revenue prematurely.

The correct answer is B. A conflict of interest occurs when an employee has an undisclosed personal, financial, or family interest that could influence decisions made on behalf of the employer. Cindy purchases supplies from a company owned by her aunt and does not disclose the relationship. This creates at least a potential conflict because Cindy’s family connection could cause her to favor the vendor over her employer’s best interests. Options A and D involve relationships or financial interests, but they have been disclosed to the employer, allowing the organization to evaluate and approve or manage the conflict. Option C might create employment or scheduling concerns, but it does not establish a conflict in a purchasing or transactional decision. Disclosure is central to proper conflict management.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: In double-entry accounting, a debit increases assets and expenses while decreasing liabilities and equity. Debits are entries on the left side of an account.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Journal Entries – General record of transactions, not the specific effect.

C. Credit – Opposite effect: increases liabilities/equity, decreases assets/expenses.

D. None of all – Incorrect because “debit” is the recognized effect.

Key Concept: Debit rules in double-entry accounting.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Shrinkage refers to discrepancies between physical inventory counts and perpetual inventory records. Causes include theft, errors, waste, or fraud. It is one of the most common indicators of asset misappropriation.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Altered inventory – Not a recognized accounting term.

B. Account receivable – Unrelated to inventory.

D. Write-offs – A corrective accounting entry, not the variance itself.

Key Concept: Inventory shrinkage as a red flag for fraud.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: New account fraud occurs when fraudsters open accounts with false or stolen identities to exploit financial institutions before controls detect suspicious activity. Mobile deposits are particularly vulnerable because criminals can use counterfeit or altered images to deposit fraudulent checks quickly. This aligns with the Fraud Examiners Manual (2020) discussion of high-risk delivery channels for new account fraud.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Established accounts – Incorrect; fraud risk is higher in new accounts due to limited history and weaker controls.

C. Six months definition – Not an ACFE standard; there is no fixed six-month definition.

D. ATMs rarely targeted – Incorrect; ATMs are frequently exploited in new account fraud schemes.

Key Concept: New account fraud in identity theft and corruption-related schemes.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Cash larceny is the theft of cash after it has been recorded in the company’s books. Skimming, in contrast, is theft of cash before recording .

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B & D – Both describe forms of skimming (unrecorded or understated sales).

C – Kickback scheme is corruption, not cash theft.

Key Concept: Distinguishing cash larceny (on-book theft) from skimming (off-book theft).

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Tangible assets are those that can be physically perceived (touched, seen, etc.) and appraised (assigned a measurable value). Examples include buildings, land, equipment, and inventory. Both characteristics are correct, making C the best choice.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Capable of being perceived – True, but incomplete.

B. Capable of being appraised – True, but incomplete.

D. Neither A nor B – Incorrect since both statements are accurate.

Key Concept: Tangible Assets — physical and measurable property owned by a business.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Under accrual-basis accounting , revenues are generally recognized when earned (often upon delivery of goods or services), not necessarily when cash is received. Similarly, expenses are recorded when incurred, not when paid. This provides a more accurate picture of performance and financial position.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A – This describes cash-basis accounting , not accrual-basis.

B – Accrual accounting is more complex, not simpler.

C – Focuses on earned revenues and incurred expenses, not immediate cash flow.

Key Concept: Accrual accounting matches revenues with expenses in the period they occur.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Cressey’s research on fraud offenders found that most had non-sharable financial problems, which fell into categories such as: (1) violation of ascribed obligations, (2) business reversals, (3) physical isolation, (4) status gaining, and (5) employer-employee relations. “Larceny by fraud” is not a category of non-sharable problem but rather a type of theft scheme. Hence, D is correct.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Violation of ascribed obligations – Correctly one type of non-sharable problem.

B. Business reversals – Correctly one type of non-sharable problem.

C. Physical isolation – Correctly one type of non-sharable problem.

D. Larceny by fraud – Not a “problem” type; it is a fraud scheme.

Key Concept: Cressey’s non-sharable problems — psychological and situational pressures that contribute to occupational fraud.

The correct answer is B. ACH blocks are a preventive bank control that allows an account holder to instruct the bank not to permit ACH debits from designated accounts. This reduces the risk of unauthorized electronic withdrawals. Option A is incorrect because positive pay for ACH should not be declined; it can help verify ACH transactions before they clear. Option C violates segregation of duties because the person initiating electronic payments should not also control ACH filters or payment security settings. Option D is also weak because using separate accounts for paper checks and electronic transactions can improve monitoring and limit exposure. The ACFE materials identify ACH blocks, ACH filters, positive pay, segregation of duties, and bank security services as important controls against electronic payment tampering.

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The correct answer is C. Cash larceny involves stealing cash after it has been recorded, so detection often depends on tracing recorded cash activity to source documents and bank deposits. Reviewing, analyzing, and tracing journal entries made to cash accounts helps identify unsupported adjustments, unusual entries, concealment entries, or discrepancies between accounting records and actual cash activity. Option A is weak because the person responsible for cash receipts should not perform independent comparisons; segregation of duties is important. Option B is incorrect because cash receipt listings should be prepared and controlled before they reach accounts receivable personnel. Option D is also improper because cashiers should not independently reconcile their own register activity. Independent review is essential for detecting cash larceny.

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The correct answer is B. Under cash-basis accounting, revenues and expenses are recorded based on the movement of cash. Revenue is recorded when cash is received, and expenses are recorded when cash is paid, regardless of when goods are delivered, services are performed, or obligations are incurred. Options A and C describe accrual-basis concepts. Accrual accounting records revenue when earned and matches related expenses to the same accounting period. Option D is incorrect because cash-basis accounting is generally simpler than accrual-basis accounting, although it can provide a less complete picture of financial performance. The ACFE materials emphasize that accrual accounting gives a truer financial picture and is required under GAAP.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Fraudulent schemes involving returns and allowances can be detected by analyzing accounts for unusually high transactions in these categories. This is a common red flag for concealment of theft or manipulation of sales.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Allowances by vendors – Too narrow, not a standard analytic test.

B. Disposals of allowances than reorders – Not a recognized search method.

D. None of the above – Incorrect, since option C is valid.

Key Concept: Returns and allowances analysis for fraud detection.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: This is True . The net result of revenues and expenses (credits and debits) on the income statement flows into retained earnings, which is part of equity on the balance sheet. Therefore, excess credits (profits) increase equity, while excess debits (losses) decrease equity.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. False – Incorrect, as the closing process of the accounting cycle directly affects equity.

Key Concept: Closing process and impact of net income on equity.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

Why the correct answer is: False accounting entry

According to the ACFE Fraud Examiners Manual – Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes , under Financial Institution Fraud → Types of Embezzlement Schemes , the Manual provides explicit descriptions of relevant banking fraud schemes, including false accounting entries .

The Manual lists False Accounting Entries as a form of embezzlement in which an employee manipulates general ledger accounts or other accounting records to conceal a theft or unauthorized activity :

“False Accounting Entries” are specifically categorized as a type of embezzlement scheme used by dishonest bank employees to hide misappropriated funds.

In this question, the accountant:

Adjusted the bank’s general ledger

With the intent to conceal the theft of customer funds

This aligns exactly with the ACFE definition of false accounting entries , which involve altering legitimate financial records to hide fraudulent actions.

Therefore, the best ACFE-defined description of the scheme is:

→ False accounting entry (Option B)

Why the other options are incorrect

A. Unauthorized withdrawal

The Manual separately defines Unauthorized Withdrawals as a type of embezzlement in which a bank employee directly removes funds from accounts without permission:

“Unauthorized Withdrawals” are listed as a distinct embezzlement scheme involving unapproved removal of customer funds.

However, in this scenario, the defining act is manipulating ledger records , not simply withdrawing funds. The nature of the concealment technique makes false accounting entry the correct classification.

C. Moving money from inactive accounts

The Manual defines:

“Moving Money from Customers’ Dormant or Inactive Accounts” as a scheme in which employees transfer funds from inactive accounts to themselves.

In this question, the stolen funds come from an active customer account , so this option does not apply.

D. Unauthorized disbursement of funds

The Manual includes:

“Unauthorized Disbursement of Funds to Outsiders” as another type of financial institution fraud.

This refers to payments made to external parties without authorization—not to ledger manipulation to hide theft.

Again, the defining characteristic in the scenario is the use of false ledger entries , which makes Option B the most accurate according to ACFE terminology.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Studies by the ACFE consistently show that inventory and equipment are the most commonly misappropriated noncash assets. They are highly liquid, valuable, and often difficult to monitor without strong controls.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Interest & Collusion – Not physical assets.

C. Inventory & Purchase – Purchase is a process, not a physical asset.

D. Sales & Equipment – Sales are transactions, not assets.

Key Concept: Noncash asset misappropriation — inventory and equipment are the primary targets.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Misrepresenting income, employment, or creditworthiness on a mortgage application is a classic example of residential loan fraud . This type of fraud occurs when borrowers provide false information to qualify for loans they would not otherwise receive.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Credit data blocking – Refers to suppressing negative credit information with fraudulent disputes.

C. Double-pledging collateral – Involves using the same collateral for multiple loans.

D. Linked financing – Occurs when loans are structured with related transactions to disguise financial exposure.

Key Concept: Loan and mortgage fraud – misrepresentation of borrower information.

The correct answer is B. When a debtor organization intends to continue as a going concern, effective insolvency practice may permit existing management to remain involved, subject to oversight by an independent insolvency representative. This approach balances operational continuity with creditor protection, transparency, and accountability. Exclusive control by secured creditors is inappropriate because insolvency proceedings must consider the legal framework and the rights of all affected parties. Creditors may have participation rights, but they do not automatically manage the organization. Mandatory shared governance between management and creditors is also not the best statement of the World Bank Principles. Professionally, the independent representative’s role is to supervise, preserve value, investigate improper transactions, and protect the integrity of the process.

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The correct answer is A, money laundering. The ACFE material defines money laundering as the process by which criminals disguise illicit assets as legitimate assets that they have a right to possess and spend. It involves concealing the existence, nature, source, control, beneficial ownership, location, or disposition of property derived from criminal activity. Cross-border financing may be a feature of laundering, but it is not the overall process described. Asset trafficking is not the best ACFE classification for disguising criminal proceeds. Concealment of assets may occur in fraud or bankruptcy matters, but it is broader and does not specifically capture the laundering of illegal proceeds into apparently legitimate funds.

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Tammy is most likely committing a structuring scheme. Structuring occurs when a person deliberately breaks transactions into smaller amounts to avoid mandatory reporting thresholds. Here, Tammy repeatedly deposits cash in amounts between $9,000 and $9,900, just below the $10,000 reporting requirement. That pattern strongly indicates an attempt to avoid currency transaction reporting. A reverse deposit scheme and remote deposit capture scheme do not describe the deliberate splitting of cash deposits to evade reporting. Integration is a later stage of money laundering in which illicit funds are reintroduced into the economy as apparently legitimate funds, but Tammy’s activity is focused on avoiding detection during placement. The ACFE material identifies repeated deposits just under the reporting threshold as a classic red flag of smurfing or structuring.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Weak or poor collection and recording procedures create opportunities for employees to skim. Without strong controls over cash receipts and documentation, employees can divert funds without detection.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Revenue sources and recording procedures – Too general; it is weak procedures that matter.

C. Internal audits and recording procedures – Audits help detect fraud, not enable it.

D. Register manipulations and recording procedures – Describes concealment, not the root cause.

Key Concept: Control weaknesses enable skimming.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Under anti-bribery laws and fraud examination principles, the offer of a payment itself may constitute a bribe, regardless of whether money changes hands. Intent to improperly influence is enough to establish bribery.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Corruption in payment – Too vague, not a legal element.

C. Kickback payment – Requires an actual payment; not just an offer.

D. Overbilling in payment – A disbursement scheme, not a bribe.

Key Concept: Bribery offense can occur upon the offer alone.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: While asset misappropriation schemes are usually committed by lower-level employees, financial statement fraud is most often committed by senior management . This is because executives have the authority to override controls, direct accounting policies, and influence financial reporting for personal gain (bonuses, stock prices, or to conceal poor performance).

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Organized criminals – May commit fraud, but financial statement fraud specifically requires authority over reporting.

B. Mid and lower-level employees – Lack sufficient authority to materially alter financial statements.

D. All of the above – Incorrect, as financial statement fraud is overwhelmingly associated with senior management.

Key Concept: Management override — financial statement fraud perpetrated by those with the authority to manipulate reports.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: According to the ACFE Fraud Tree , corruption is divided into four classifications: bribery, illegal gratuities, economic extortion, and conflicts of interest . These cover the major ways employees misuse influence for personal gain.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Corruption… – Redundant; corruption is the main category, not a sub-classification.

C. Overbilling and bid-rigging – These are disbursement schemes, not corruption categories.

D. Corruption repeated – Incorrect for the same reason as option B.

Key Concept: Corruption classifications under the Fraud Tree.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Accruals represent expenses that have been incurred but not yet paid. Under the accrual basis of accounting, these must be recognized in the same period as the related revenues or obligations. Common examples include accrued wages and accrued interest.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Depreciations – Allocation of asset cost, not unpaid expenses.

C. Expenses – A broader term, but not specific to unpaid obligations.

D. Financial record – Too vague.

Key Concept: Accruals under the accrual basis of accounting.

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 .

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Common financial statement fraud schemes include: (A) recording fictitious revenues, (C) concealing liabilities/expenses, and (D) improper asset valuations. Persuasive evidence is not a fraud scheme; it is an auditing concept used to support accounting entries.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A, C, D – All are well-documented methods of financial statement fraud.

B. Persuasive Evidence – Correct, since it is not part of fraud schemes.

Key Concept: Major categories of financial statement fraud schemes.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Common skimming schemes include unrecorded sales , theft of incoming checks , and understating sales/receivables . “Fraud & Cost” is not a recognized skimming scheme and appears to be a distractor.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Unrecorded sales – A classic skimming method.

C. Theft of checks through the mail – Another recognized skimming approach (incoming receivables).

D. Understated sales and receivables – A concealment method within skimming schemes.

B. Fraud & Cost – Not a scheme classification.

Key Concept: Skimming schemes vs. unrelated distractors.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: This scheme is known as a Turnaround Sale or Flip . The employee secretly purchases an asset their employer needs and then resells it to the employer at a markup, thereby profiting at the employer’s expense.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Conflict of interest in sale – Too general; does not describe the flipping mechanism.

C. Unauthorized sale – Not an ACFE fraud category in this context.

D. Written sale of unique assets – Not a recognized scheme.

Key Concept: Conflict of Interest scheme — Turnaround Sales/Flips .

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Bid manipulation schemes occur in the procurement process and involve altering the bidding environment (e.g., extending deadlines, prematurely opening competitor bids, or changing submitted bids). Using low-quality materials is a post-award performance fraud , not bid manipulation.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A, C, D – All are recognized bid manipulation tactics.

Key Concept: Procurement fraud schemes – bid manipulation vs. contract performance fraud.

The correct answer is A. Holograms are specifically designed as anti-counterfeiting features and are among the most difficult physical card features for fraudsters to reproduce accurately. Counterfeit payment card schemes usually involve stolen account information being encoded or printed onto altered, blank, or counterfeit cards. Option B is incorrect because these schemes generally involve fraudsters, organized groups, or dishonest merchants, not collusion between card issuers and merchants. Option C is too absolute because modern technology allows counterfeit cards to be produced without traditional professional printing facilities. Option D is inaccurate because counterfeit cards usually rely on stolen or compromised active account data, not merely expired card numbers. The ACFE payment fraud materials emphasize card security features, counterfeit card production, and card-scrutiny controls.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Irregular, low-value, or unpredictable revenue sources such as parking fees, late charges, or vending machine sales are prime skimming targets. Because they are difficult to estimate or reconcile precisely, theft of these funds is less likely to be detected quickly.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. Recorded sales – These are already in the books and easier to reconcile.

C. Internal audits – A control mechanism, not a target.

D. Register manipulations – A method, not the revenue source itself.

Key Concept: Vulnerable revenue streams as skimming targets.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Expenses appear on the income statement , not the balance sheet. The balance sheet includes assets, liabilities, and owners’ equity, representing the accounting equation.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A, B, D – All appear on the balance sheet.

Key Concept: Distinction between financial statements: balance sheet vs. income statement.

The required element is that the investment is in a common enterprise. The ACFE material explains that the investment-contract analysis parallels the Howey test, under which all required elements must exist: an investment of money or other assets, a common enterprise, an expectation of profit, and profits derived primarily from the efforts of others. Option A is incorrect because profits must come from the efforts of people other than the investor, not solely from the investor’s own management efforts. Option B is too narrow because the investment may involve money or another asset. Option C is incorrect because notarization is not an element of an investment contract. Therefore, the common-enterprise requirement makes option D correct.

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The correct answer is D. Technical surveillance involves using electronic or technical means to collect information that is not available through open sources, including nondocumentary information such as conversations, signals, or communications. This is a recognized method of corporate espionage when used to obtain proprietary or confidential business information. Option A is too narrow and inaccurate because social engineering manipulates people into revealing information or providing access, not primarily desk-file searches. Option B misstates physical infiltration; physical entry can give access to premises, documents, or devices, but exploiting firewalls is a technical attack. Option C incorrectly defines pretexting; pretexting involves using a false identity or fabricated reason to obtain information. Corporate espionage must be distinguished from lawful competitive intelligence.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: This statement is True . Statistical sampling allows fraud examiners to make inferences about an entire population based on a representative sample. By calculating occurrence rates, they can estimate error rates and assess the likelihood of fraud in the larger dataset.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. False – Incorrect because statistical sampling is explicitly designed to estimate population-level characteristics.

Key Concept: Sampling in fraud examination — predicting occurrence and error rates.

Maria is engaging in leaking bid data because she provides confidential or pre-bid information to a favored bidder before the solicitation is publicly available. The ACFE material explains that leaking bid data occurs when procurement employees disclose pre-bid information or confidential information to a favored vendor, giving that vendor an unfair advantage. This differs from bid tailoring, where specifications are drafted to favor a contractor. It also differs from suppressing bids, which involves preventing competitors from submitting bids, and bid splitting, which involves breaking a larger purchase into smaller amounts to avoid competitive bidding thresholds. Maria’s conduct gives the bidder advance notice and extra preparation time, making option B the correct answer.

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Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Fair value is defined as the price an asset would fetch in an orderly transaction between willing market participants. It reflects current market conditions, not historical cost.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Absolute value – Mathematical concept, not accounting.

C. Cost value – Historical cost, not current market.

D. Material value – Not a recognized accounting term.

Key Concept: Fair Value Measurement under GAAP/IFRS.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Ponzi schemes differ from pyramid schemes. In Ponzi schemes, investors are paid returns from funds contributed by later investors, not based on recruiting new investors. Recruiting-based payouts are a characteristic of pyramid schemes , not Ponzi schemes.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Legitimate investment belief – True; victims believe the investment is genuine.

B. High returns promised – Classic Ponzi hallmark.

D. Minimal valid commerce – Ponzi promoters often fake or exaggerate legitimate investments.

Key Concept: Difference between Ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes .

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: This statement is True . Asset misappropriations reduce the organization’s assets. In double-entry accounting, a decrease in assets without a corresponding decrease in liabilities results in a reduction of owner’s equity. Therefore, fraud not only depletes assets but also indirectly reduces equity.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B. False – Incorrect because asset theft clearly reduces net assets and thereby equity.

Key Concept: Impact of Asset Misappropriation on the accounting equation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The phases of the bidding process include:

Presolicitation (need recognition/specification stage),

Solicitation (inviting bids),

Submission (vendors submit bids). There is no standard phase called Postsolicitation .

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Presolicitation – Valid phase.

C. Solicitation – Valid phase.

D. Submission – Valid phase.

B. Postsolicitation – Not recognized as a formal bidding stage.

Key Concept: Bidding process phases — presolicitation, solicitation, submission.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: Market division and allocation agreements are a classic bid-rigging scheme in which contractors collude to evade competition by assigning territories, customers, or project types among themselves. This undermines free and open competition.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

B – Fake contracts are not a recognized collusion tactic in competitive bidding.

C – Publishing solicitations in different outlets does not evade competition.

D – Submitting false invoices is fraud, but it occurs after contract award , not during the bidding process.

Key Concept: Bid rigging and collusion in procurement fraud.

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: In sound internal controls, the person initiating electronic payments should not also be responsible for setting filters or approving transactions . This creates a segregation of duties violation. Therefore, statement D is false.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Positive pay for ACH – True; it helps verify transactions.

B. ACH blocks – Correct; a control against unauthorized debits.

C. Lack of physical evidence – True; electronic fraud lacks paper trails, making detection harder.

Key Concept: Electronic payment tampering controls .

Detailed Explanation:

Rationale for Correct Answer: The journal is the core of the bookkeeping system because it provides a chronological record of all business transactions. Each transaction is recorded as a journal entry before posting to the ledger.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

A. Asset – A resource, not a recording system.

B. Liability – An obligation, not the recording medium.

C. Checkbook – Tracks cash disbursements, but not all transactions.

Key Concept: Journal as the primary book of original entry.