Free Practice Questions for APA FPC-Remote Exam

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Independent contractors do NOT receive a salary.They:

Invoice for services renderedrather than receivingfixed wages.

Risk profit or loss(Option B) based on how they manage expenses.

Can hire assistants(Option C) to help complete tasks.

Can end the relationship at any time(Option D) unless bound by a contract.

Option A (Receive a salary) is incorrectbecausesalaries are paid only to employees, not independent contractors.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:FormI-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, is used by employers to:

Verify the identity of newly hired employees

Ensure employees are legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Prevent illegal employment practices

Option A (Request an ITIN)is incorrect because anITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)is requested usingForm W-7, not I-9.

Option B (Determine FIT withholding)is incorrect becauseForm W-4is used for federal income tax withholding, not Form I-9.

Option C (Summarize taxable wages)is incorrect becauseForm W-2summarizes taxable wages.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:ThePayroll Department’s key functionsinclude:

Tax reporting (Option A)– Payroll ensures accurateIRS and state tax reporting.

Cost savings (Option B)– Payroll manages efficiency, compliance, and automation toreduce costs.

Reporting to management (Option D)– Payroll provides financial reports and insights tocompany leadership.

However,giving tax advice (Option C) is NOT a function of payroll. Payroll professionalscalculate and withhold taxesbut do notprovide tax planning adviceto employees.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:UnderFair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rounding rules, employers may round employee timeto the nearest 15-minute incrementusing the7-minute rule:

If an employee clocks inbefore the 7-minute mark, rounddown.

If an employee clocks inafter the 7-minute mark, roundup.

Employee's actual times:

Clock in: 8:07 a.m.→ Roundeddown to 8:00 a.m.

Clock out: 4:08 p.m.→ Roundedup to 4:15 p.m.

Thus, the correct answer isD. 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m..

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:To finddiscrepanciesin a general ledger, the following documents should be reviewed:

General Ledger Account Details (A)– To track postings and adjustments.

Bank Account Statements (B)– To ensure transactions reconcile with payroll expenses.

Payroll Register Totals (C)– To comparewages and tax liabilitiesagainst general ledger accounts.

Option D (Copies of Paychecks) is incorrectbecause physical paycheck copiesdo not verify account balances or identify out-of-balance errors.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Awage attachment(also called awage levy) is alegal withholdingfrom an employee’s paycheck to satisfy an outstanding debt.

IRS tax leviesare a type ofwage attachmentused to collectunpaid federal taxesdirectly from an employee’s wages.

Employersmust comply immediatelywhen notified by the IRS.

Option A (Bankruptcy Order)is incorrect because bankruptcy payments are handled bycourt-appointed trustees, not wage levies.

Option B (Creditor Garnishment)is incorrect because IRS tax leviesdo not require a court orderlike private creditor garnishments.

Option C (Voluntary Deduction)is incorrect because IRS wage leviesare mandatory, not voluntary.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Payroll liabilities (taxes, deductions, and withholdings) must be reconciledregularly to prevent errors and ensure compliance.

Best practice is monthly reconciliation (Option B)to ensure:

Payroll taxes matchgeneral ledger accounts.

Deposits are made on time toavoid IRS penalties.

Payroll liability accounts are balanced beforequarterly tax filings.

Option A (Weekly)is impractical unless payroll runs very frequently.

Option C (Quarterly) and Option D (Yearly) are too infrequentand may result in tax errors or compliance issues.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Thepriority orderfor wage attachments is as follows:

Bankruptcy orders (Option A)– Court-ordered payments under the U.S.Bankruptcy Codetaketop priorityover all other wage deductions.

Child support (Option B)– Thesecond-highest priorityunderfederal law, governed by theConsumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA).

State tax levies (Option C)– Third in priority, varies by state.

Wage assignments (Option D)–Lowest priority, usually voluntary agreements by employees.