Free Practice Questions for AGA CGFM Exam

Why Select the Lowest Qualified Bidder?

Procurement rules in government require selecting thelowest qualified bidderto ensure fairness, cost-efficiency, and compliance with procurement regulations.

If the mayor’s high school classmate’s company meets the qualification criteria and provides the lowest bid, there is no conflict of interest unless favoritism or improper influence is proven.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B. Second lowest priced qualified bidder:Selecting the second lowest bidder without justification violates the principle of fairness and cost-efficiency.

C. Third lowest bidder pending state disbarment:This vendor is not a qualified bidder due to pending disbarment.

D. Highest priced qualified bidder with the highest quality products:If quality specifications are already met by lower bidders, selecting the highest-priced bidder is unjustifiable.

References and Documents:

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR):Requires selecting the lowest qualified bidder.

GAO Guide on Procurement Standards:Emphasizes fairness and cost-effectiveness in vendor selection.

What Is Control Risk?

Control riskrefers to the risk that an organization’s internal controls will fail to prevent or detect material misstatements in a timely manner.

The effectiveness of internal controls directly influences control risk. If controls are weak or poorly designed, the risk increases.

Why Is Option B Correct?

The primary focus of control risk is the adequacy and effectiveness of an entity’s internal controls. Effective controls reduce the likelihood of material misstatements, while deficiencies increase control risk.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Inherent Risk:This is the risk of material misstatements due to the nature of the business or transactions, independent of controls.

C. Detection Risk:This refers to the risk that auditors will fail to detect material misstatements. It is influenced by the nature and extent of audit procedures, not internal controls.

D. Audit Risk:This is the overall risk that an auditor will issue an incorrect opinion. It combines inherent, control, and detection risks.

References and Documents:

AICPA Standards on Audit Risk (AU-C 315):Explains control risk and its relationship to the effectiveness of internal controls.

GAO Yellow Book:Emphasizes assessing control risk when evaluating internal controls in audits.

Why Pay on the Discount Date?

Discount termsare offered by vendors to encourage early payment, such as "2/10, net 30" (2% discount if paid within 10 days). Paying on the discount date ensures the organization takes advantage of cost savings while still making timely payments.

This approach optimizes cash management by reducing payment obligations while maintaining good vendor relationships.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. After the due date:Late payments can damage vendor relationships and incur penalties.

B. Prior to the due date:Paying too early does not provide additional benefits and can unnecessarily deplete cash reserves.

C. On the due date:If a discount is offered, waiting until the due date means missing the opportunity to save money.

References and Documents:

GAO Financial Management Guide:Recommends paying invoices with discounts on the discount date to maximize cost savings.

Best Practices in Governmental Cash Management (AGA):Highlights the importance of managing vendor payments to take advantage of discounts.

Deterrence of Fraud:

A primary deterrent to fraud is thefear of being caught. When individuals believe there is a high likelihood of detection, they are less likely to commit fraudulent acts.

Strong internal controls, monitoring, and audits increase this fear and serve as effective deterrents.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Delegation of responsibility without oversight: Incorrect. Lack of oversight increases the risk of fraud rather than deterring it.

B. The fear of detection: Correct. The fear of being caught is one of the most effective fraud deterrents.

C. Job satisfaction and sense of "team": While these contribute to a positive work environment, they do not directly deter fraud.

D. Performance of employee background checks: Background checks are a preventive measure but are less effective as a fraud deterrent compared to detection risk.

References:

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE),Fraud Prevention Guidance.

GAO,Fraud Risk Management Framework.

Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA) Reporting:

SEA reporting is designed to providenon-financial performance informationabout the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs.

It evaluates how well resources are being used to achieve desired outcomes, helping stakeholders assess program performance and accountability.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Evaluation of the effects of changes in public policy: Incorrect. SEA reporting does not focus on policy changes but on program performance.

B. Assessment of financial condition and results of operations: Incorrect. This is the role of financial statements, not SEA reports.

C. Assessment of the accountability of the public administrators: Incorrect. While SEA reports indirectly support accountability, their main purpose is to assess program efficiency and effectiveness.

D. Evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental programs: Correct. This is the primary focus of SEA reporting.

References:

GASB,Concepts Statement No. 2: Service Efforts and Accomplishments Reporting.

GFOA,Performance Reporting in Government.

Capital Asset Transfers Within the Same Government:

When a capital asset is transferred between departments within the same government, the asset’sbook value(its original cost minus accumulated depreciation) should remain in the fixed asset tracking system.

The transfer does not change the overall value of the asset for the government as a whole, but it should reflect that the asset is now under the responsibility of the receiving department.

Why This Is Important:

Accurate tracking ensures the fixed asset system reflects the current custodian of the asset and allows for proper asset management and accountability.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Recorded with the original department to maximize receipts:This is incorrect because it ignores the asset's transfer and would misrepresent which department is responsible for it.

B. Recorded with the second department to minimize costs:Cost minimization is irrelevant here; the transfer should reflect the book value.

C. Retained with no change in book value to either department:While the book value doesn’t change overall, the system must reflect the transfer to the receiving department.

References and Documents:

GAAP (Governmental Accounting Standards Board - GASB):Requires accurate fixed asset tracking to reflect departmental transfers.

GASB Statement No. 34:Discusses fixed asset tracking and reporting requirements.

Cash Control Fundamentals:

The primary goal of cash controls is to safeguard assets and prevent fraud, errors, or misappropriation.

Frequent bank reconciliations ensure that recorded cash balances match actual bank balances, detecting discrepancies quickly.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Segregation of duties: While critical for cash management, it is not the most fundamental cash control.

B. Use of automated systems: Helpful for efficiency but not a fundamental control.

C. Analysis of cash reports: Important, but reconciling bank accounts is more critical for detecting errors or fraud.

D. Frequent reconciliation of bank accounts: Correct. This is the most fundamental and widely recognized control for safeguarding cash.

References:

Association of Government Accountants (AGA),Cash Management Best Practices.

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA),Bank Reconciliation Best Practices.

Understanding the Procurement Process for Contractors:

When selecting contractors for government projects, the goal is to ensure the selection of aresponsible and responsive bidderwho meets all requirements outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP) or bidding documents.

Key considerations include the contractor’s ability to meet deadlines, quality of work, and compliance with laws and regulations.

Analyzing the Answer Options:

A. The contractor with the lowest bid who has a history of delayed projects:While cost savings are important, a contractor with a history of delays poses a significant risk to project timelines and community satisfaction. This bidder is not considered "responsible" based on their track record.

B. The contractor with the second-lowest bid, who has no prior violations and meets all bid specifications:Although this is not the lowest bid, it is the best choice because the contractor meets allrequirements and has a clean history. Selecting a reliable bidder ensures the project is completed on time and within acceptable quality standards. This is the most responsible and justified decision.

C. The contractor with the highest bid, who includes luxury, non-requested upgrades to the design:Selecting a contractor who proposes unnecessary and expensive upgrades is not cost-effective. Government procurement prioritizes fulfilling project specifications within the approved budget, making this choice impractical.

D. The contractor whose bid was submitted past the deadline but offers a discount for early payment:Late bids violate procurement rules, which emphasize fairness and transparency. Accepting this bid could lead to legal challenges or allegations of favoritism. Discounts do not justify breaching procurement guidelines.

Why Option B is Correct:

The second-lowest bid is the most responsible choice because the contractor:

Meets all bid requirements.

Has a strong history of compliance with regulations.

Avoids risks associated with unreliable or excessively expensive options.

This selection aligns with government procurement standards that prioritize balancing cost, quality, and reliability.

References and Documentation from the Government Financial Manager (GFM) by AGA:

Procurement Best Practices: The AGA emphasizes the importance of selecting bidders who demonstrate responsibility, reliability, and compliance with the bidding process.

Ethical Procurement Standards: TheYellow Book (Government Auditing Standards)highlights the importance of fairness, transparency, and accountability in contractor selection.

Source: AGA Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) study guides, Section IV: Internal Controls, Procurement, and Ethics.

What Is the Current Ratio?

Thecurrent ratiomeasures an entity’s ability to cover its short-term liabilities with its short-term assets. The formula is: Current Ratio=Total Current AssetsTotal Current Liabilities\text{Current Ratio} = \frac{\text{Total Current Assets}}{\text{Total Current Liabilities}}Current Ratio=Total Current LiabilitiesTotal Current Assets​

Calculation:

Total Current Assets = $1,320

Total Current Liabilities = $810

Current Ratio=1,320810\text{Current Ratio} = \frac{1,320}{810}Current Ratio=8101,320​ Current Ratio≈1.63\text{Current Ratio} ≈ 1.63Current Ratio≈1.63

Why the Current Ratio Matters:

A current ratio above 1 indicates that the entity has more current assets than current liabilities, suggesting good short-term liquidity.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. 0.61, B. 0.98, C. 1.14:These values result from incorrect calculations or misinterpretations of the formula.

References and Documents:

GAO Financial Analysis Guide:Provides guidance on using the current ratio to assess liquidity.

GASB Financial Reporting Requirements:Highlights the importance of liquidity measures in government financial statements.