Free Practice Questions for ACFE CFE-Fraud-Prevention-and-Deterrence Exam

 Effectiveness of Consistent Punishment:

Consistent punishment demonstrates an organization's commitment to enforcing anti-fraud policies and serves as a deterrent to potential fraudsters.

 Why A is Correct:

When perpetrators are consistently punished, it sends a strong message about zero tolerance for fraud and reinforces the importance of compliance throughout the organization.

 References:

ACFE guidance on fraud deterrence emphasizes the role of consequences in preventing fraud​​.

ACFE research highlights that an unwillingness to share duties is one of the most common red flags exhibited by fraud perpetrators. This behavior often indicates a desire to conceal fraudulent activities.Most fraudsters do not have prior convictions, and frauds committed by executives tend to cause higher losses compared to those committed by staff-level employees.

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The ACFE research consistently finds that the majority of occupational fraudsters are first-time offenders. Specifically, “85% of occupational fraud perpetrators had never been punished or terminated for fraud-related conduct prior to the crimes in this study.”

Diane Vaughan’s Research:

Vaughan highlights that linking employee performance goals with company goals can create undue pressure, fostering an environment where unethical behavior becomes rationalized.

Analysis of Other Options:

A. Diversity in hiring:Encourages broader perspectives and does not inherently lead to crime.

B. Rewarding challenges to the status quo:Promotes innovation and integrity, reducing crime risk.

Conclusion:Management’s linking of performance goals with company goals is the factor most associated with increased crime inclination.

Impact of Specialized Departments on Fraud Risk:While specialization improves operational efficiency, it can also create silos, reducing oversight and coordination. This fragmentation may increase the overall fraud risk.

Key Considerations:

Fraud often occurs in areas where controls and communication are weak. Specialized departments may inadvertently facilitate fraud by isolating information.

Cross-departmental collaboration and centralized controls are essential to mitigate these risks.

Conclusion:The existence of many specialized departments increases the risk of fraud if not properly managed.

 CFE Ethical Responsibilities:

As per the ACFE Code of Professional Ethics, fraud examiners must ensure transparency in their professional conduct. They cannot promise confidentiality if the information must be disclosed to management or other authorities as part of the investigation.

 Why D is Correct:

Agreeing to confidentiality in this situation would breach ethical and legal obligations, especially if the information pertains to fraud or misconduct that the organization needs to address.

 Why Other Options are Incorrect:

A and B:Attempting to maintain confidentiality is misleading and unprofessional.

C:Taking the request directly to management without clarification could breach trust prematurely​​.

Findings from the 2020 Report to the Nations:

Tips are the most common method of detecting fraud, accounting for over 40% of detected cases.

Whistleblower hotlines and other reporting mechanisms are vital for obtaining tips.

Analysis of Other Options:

A. Internal audit:While effective, it is less common than tips.

B. Confession:Rarely the initial method of detection.

D. External audit:Detects fraud in a smaller percentage of cases.

Conclusion:Tips are the most common method of fraud detection according to the 2020 Report to the Nations.

Definition of Organizational Crime:

Organizational crime involves illegal actions conducted by or on behalf of organizations to benefit the organization or its management.

Why D is Correct:

Bid rigging is a classic example of organizational crime, where multiple companies collude to manipulate competitive bidding processes for mutual benefit.

Why Other Options are Incorrect:

A, B, and C:These represent individual crimes for personal gain, not organizational-level misconduct​​.

References for All Questions:

COSO Internal Control–Integrated Framework​​.

Criminological theories and studies on deterrence and organizational crime​​.

Diane Vaughan's research on organizational factors contributing to deviance​​.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

ISA 265 requires that significant deficiencies in internal control identified during an audit be communicated in writing to those charged with governance. The auditor is not obligated to inform regulatory agencies unless required by law (eliminating A). Internal control audits are not separate engagements under standard financial statement audits (eliminating B). Withdrawalfrom the engagement is a last resort and only appropriate under severe circumstances beyond internal control issues (eliminating D).