CGFM Questions and Answers

Creditworthiness and Loan Approval:

When creditworthiness is a criterion for government loans, the applicant must demonstrate asatisfactory history of repaying debt, as this reflects their ability to fulfill repayment obligations in the future.

Why a Satisfactory History Is Required:

Past repayment behavior is considered the best indicator of future performance. Government agencies prioritize reducing the risk of defaults by ensuring applicants have a proven history of managing debt responsibly.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. A credit rating from a major bank:While a credit rating is helpful, it is not typically required for government loans. Instead, creditworthiness is evaluated based on repayment history and other financial factors.

C. Sufficient capitalization:This is important for business loans, but it does not address creditworthiness.

D. A promise to pay interest at the government borrowing rate:A promise is not sufficient to establish creditworthiness.

References and Documents:

OMB Circular A-129:Requires agencies to assess creditworthiness before granting loans.

GAO Loan Management Guide:Highlights repayment history as a key criterion for loan approval.

Single Audit Report Requirements:

A single audit evaluates the financial statements and compliance with federal award requirements.

Thefinancial statement opinionmust state whether the financial statements arefairly presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Free from fraud: Incorrect. Auditors do not provide an opinion on fraud; they assess for material misstatements.

B. Fairly presented in accordance with GAAP: Correct. The financial statement opinion is issued based on compliance with GAAP.

C. Fairly presented in accordance with GASB: Incorrect. GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) provides guidance for state and local governments, but financial statements must comply with GAAP as the overarching standard.

D. Fairly presented in accordance with GAO: Incorrect. The GAO (Government Accountability Office) issues auditing standards, not financial reporting standards.

References:

OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200),Subpart F - Audit Requirements.

GAO,Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book).

Responsibility for Internal Controls:

Managementholds the primary responsibility for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an organization’s internal control system.

This responsibility is outlined in frameworks such as COSO’sInternal Control - Integrated Frameworkand the GAO’sGreen Book.

Roles of Other Parties:

A. Accountants: While accountants may assist in designing or assessing controls, they are not primarily responsible.

B. Internal auditors: Their role is to evaluate the effectiveness of controls, not establish them.

D. Audit committee: Provides oversight but does not implement or design controls.

References:

COSO,Internal Control - Integrated Framework.

GAO,Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government (Green Book).

What Is COSO ERM?TheCOSO Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Frameworkis a widely accepted framework that helps organizations identify, assess, and manage risks while creating value. The five components of COSO ERM are:

Governance and Culture

Strategy and Objective-Setting

Performance

Review and Revision

Information, Communication, and Reporting

Why Is Performance a Key Component?

ThePerformancecomponent focuses on identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks to achieving an organization’s objectives. It includes implementing risk responses (e.g., avoiding, reducing, sharing, or accepting risks) and monitoring their effectiveness.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B. Changing Environment:This is not a COSO ERM component but a general factor influencing risk management.

C. Complex Calculations:This is not relevant to COSO ERM.

D. Accepting Risk:While accepting risk is part of risk responses, it is not one of the five COSO ERM components.

References and Documents:

COSO ERM Framework (2017):Details the five components of ERM and their application in managing risks.

What Do Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) Require for Financial Audits?GAAS outlines specific requirements for auditors conducting financial audits, including:

Adequately Planning the Work (Option A):Proper planning ensures that audits are efficient and thorough.

Obtaining Sufficient, Appropriate Audit Evidence (Option C):This is critical to support the auditor’s opinion on the financial statements.

Supervising Assistants (Option D):Supervising any audit staff ensures that work is performed in accordance with standards.

What Does GAAS Not Require?

GAAS does not specifically require auditors to make the audit report available to the public (Option B). While making reports available to the public may be required by other laws, regulations, or organizational policies, it is not a standard requirement under GAAS. The decision to make the report public often lies with the audited entity or governing bodies.

References and Documents:

AICPA Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS):The foundational standards that define GAAS requirements.

GAGAS (Yellow Book):While GAGAS may have additional reporting requirements, it does not mandate public access to the audit report unless stipulated by law.

What Does GPRA Require?TheGovernment Performance and Results Act (GPRA)mandates that federal agencies prepare:

Astrategic planoutlining long-term goals.

Anannual performance plandetailing the objectives and performance measures for the upcoming year.

Anannual performance reportevaluating the agency’s success in meeting the goals outlined in the annual performance plan.

Why Is the Annual Performance Report Important?

The annual performance report provides accountability and transparency by comparing actual results to planned goals. It allows Congress and the public to assess how effectively the agency is achieving its mission.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. A five-year performance plan:GPRA requires a strategic plan (updated every four years), not a separate five-year performance plan.

C. SEA Report:This refers to Service Efforts and Accomplishments reporting, which is not mandated by GPRA.

D. The prior year’s audited financial report:While financial reports are important, they are separate from the performance reporting requirements of GPRA.

References and Documents:

Government Performance and Results Act (1993):Requires agencies to submit strategic plans, annual performance plans, and annual performance reports.

GAO Reports on GPRA Compliance:Emphasizes the role of annual performance reports in promoting accountability.

What Is Efficient Inventory Management?

Efficient inventory management ensures that an organization has the right amount of inventory at the right time to meet operational needs without overstocking or understocking.

Proper inventory management minimizes disruptions to operations, including work stoppages due to lack of necessary materials or supplies.

Why Is Fewer Instances of Work Stoppage the Correct Answer?

Efficient inventory management ensures that required inventory is available when needed, reducing the risk of work delays or stoppages caused by inventory shortages.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. A low inventory turnover ratio:A low turnover ratio often indicates overstocking or slow-moving inventory, which is not a sign of efficiency.

B. High write-offs of obsolete inventory:Efficient management reduces obsolete inventory, leading to fewer write-offs, not more.

D. High total asset turnover:While efficient inventory management may contribute to overall asset efficiency, it does not directly result in a high total asset turnover ratio.

References and Documents:

GAO Guide on Inventory Management:Emphasizes the role of inventory management in avoiding operational disruptions.

Best Practices for Inventory Management (AGA):Highlights reduced work stoppages as a key benefit of effective inventory control.

What Is Inventory Control?

Inventory controlrefers to the processes and systems used to manage stock levels, including determining how much inventory to keep on hand, reordering stock, and maintaining optimal levels to meet operational needs while minimizing costs.

Determining stock levels is a central function of inventory control, ensuring the organization has the right amount of inventory to meet demand without overstocking or understocking.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B. Safeguard control:This refers to protecting inventory from theft, damage, or loss, not determining stock levels.

C. Management control:This is a broader term encompassing oversight and governance, not specific to inventory.

D. Supply control:This typically refers to managing supply chains and suppliers, not the internal control of inventory levels.

References and Documents:

GAO Inventory Management Guide:Defines inventory control as the process of determining and maintaining appropriate stock levels.

Best Practices in Government Inventory Management (AGA):Emphasizes the role of inventory control in balancing supply and demand.

Fraud Audit Objective:Fraud audits aim to detect and investigate fraudulent activities, strengthen internal controls, and report findings to stakeholders.

Basic Steps in Fraud Audits:

Consulting Legal Counsel: Ensures compliance with legal requirements and protects the organization.

Reporting the Results: Essential to inform stakeholders of findings and corrective actions.

Follow-up on Control Weaknesses: Addresses identified vulnerabilities to prevent future fraud.

Explanation of Incorrect Answer:

D. Considering political ramifications: Irrelevant to fraud audits, as these audits focus on financial and legal matters rather than political considerations.

References:

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE),Fraud Examination Manual.

Government Accountability Office (GAO),Fraud Risk Management Framework.

Limiting Public Reporting in Attestation Engagements:

Government auditing standards allow auditors to limit public reporting in rare cases, such as when disclosing certain information could compromise sensitive or ongoing legal proceedings.

The goal is to protect the integrity of investigations or legal actions while maintaining transparency where possible.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Auditors detect material fraud: Auditors are required to report material fraud to appropriate authorities, not limit reporting unless legal proceedings are affected.

B. Audit report would compromise ongoing legal proceedings: Correct. This is a valid reason to limit public reporting under auditing standards.

C. Auditor detects non-compliance with provisions of law: Non-compliance must be disclosed unless legal considerations warrant confidentiality.

D. Entity management fails to satisfy legal requirements: This would typically be reported, not withheld.

References:

GAO,Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book).

AICPA,Attestation Standards and Public Reporting Guidance.

Regression Analysis:

Regression analysis is a statistical method used to examine relationships between variables and make predictions.

To estimatesales tax revenue, a CGFM can use regression to analyze how population growth, housing, and employment trends correlate with tax revenue over time.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Regression analysis: Correct. This method uses historical and predictive data to model the relationship between variables (e.g., population growth and sales tax revenue).

B. Cash flow analysis: Focuses on analyzing cash inflows and outflows, not predicting revenue based on external factors.

C. Payback analysis: Used to calculate the time needed to recover an investment, unrelated to tax revenue estimation.

D. Flow charting: Used to visualize processes, not for predictive analytics.

References:

Association of Government Accountants (AGA),Predictive Analytics in Public Sector Finance.

U.S. Census Bureau,Data Analytics for Revenue Forecasting.

What Are We Solving For?

We are calculating thepresent value (PV)of $20,550 to be received at theend of year 2using a discount rate of10%.

The formula for present value is: PV=FV(1+r)nPV = \frac{FV}{(1 + r)^n}PV=(1+r)nFV​ Where:

FVFVFV = Future Value = $20,550

rrr = Discount Rate = 10% or 0.10

nnn = Time Period = 2 years

Calculation:

PV=20,550(1+0.10)2PV = \frac{20,550}{(1 + 0.10)^2}PV=(1+0.10)220,550​ PV=20,550(1.10)2PV = \frac{20,550}{(1.10)^2}PV=(1.10)220,550​ PV=20,5501.21PV = \frac{20,550}{1.21}PV=1.2120,550​ PV≈16,983PV ≈ 16,983PV≈16,983

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. $16,440:Results from incorrect discounting for one year instead of two.

C. $18,495:Results from applying a lower discount rate or an incorrect formula.

D. $20,550:This is the future value, not the present value.

References and Documents:

GAO Financial Analysis Guide:Explains present value calculations for investment decision-making.

AICPA Present Value Guidelines:Provides step-by-step guidance on time value of money calculations.

Minimum Components of a Government Financial System:

A general ledger is the foundation of any financial system, providing a complete record of all financial transactions.

The definition ofgeneral ledger accountsensures proper classification, tracking, and reporting of financial activities.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Automated transaction processing: Incorrect. While automation is beneficial, it is not a "minimum" requirement. Manual systems can still exist.

B. Debt-reduction analysis: Incorrect. This is a financial management activity, not a core component of the financial system.

C. Performance management reporting: Incorrect. Performance reporting is separate from the foundational financial system.

D. General ledger account definition: Correct. This is a fundamental element of any government financial system.

References:

GAO,Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government (Green Book).

GASB,Codification of Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards.

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.

Purpose of the Analysis:A finance director needs to assess whether the organization has enough funds available to cover short-term obligations (bills due within 30 days). This requires evaluating liquidity.

Explanation of Key Ratios:

Quick/Current Ratio: Measures an entity’s ability to pay its short-term liabilities using liquid assets.

Current Ratio= Current Assets ÷ Current Liabilities.

Quick Ratioexcludes less liquid assets (e.g., inventory), focusing on assets that can quickly convert to cash.This is the appropriate measure for assessing immediate liquidity.

Receivables Turnover Ratio: Measures how efficiently receivables are collected but doesn’t directly evaluate liquidity for bills due within 30 days.

Budgetary Cushion Ratio: Refers to financial reserves relative to annual spending, not short-term liquidity.

Debt Burden Ratio: Evaluates debt relative to revenues but does not address immediate cash flow needs.

References:

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA),Liquidity Management Best Practices.

Association of Government Accountants (AGA),Financial Statement Analysis for Government Finance Officers.

What Is an Outcome Measure?

Anoutcome measureevaluates the results or impacts of a program or service, focusing on whether objectives were achieved (e.g., efficiency, effectiveness, or quality).

Percentage of disaster claims paid on timedirectly reflects the program’s ability to meet its goal of providing timely financial assistance to disaster victims, making it an outcome measure.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Amount of disability inquiries received during a pandemic:This is aninput measure, as it reflects the demand or workload, not the results.

B. Total environmental impact statements reviewed:This is anoutput measure, showing the quantity of work done, not the effectiveness or result.

C. Number of federal capital territory students that graduated:While this measures results, it reflects an output rather than an outcome (it doesn’t assess the quality or long-term impact of education).

References and Documents:

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA):Emphasizes the use of outcome measures to evaluate program performance.

GAO Performance Measurement Guide:Defines and provides examples of outcome, output, and input measures.

What Is Forensic Accounting?

Forensic accountinginvolves investigating financial records to detect fraud, gather evidence, and support legal proceedings. It focuses on identifying and responding to fraud rather than proactively preventing it.

Tasks Performed in Forensic Accounting:

Auditing accounting records (Option A):Forensic accountants review records to uncover irregularities or fraud.

Interviewing related parties (Option C):They conduct interviews to gather information and evidence.

Serving as an expert witness (Option D):Forensic accountants often testify in court to explain their findings.

Why Prevention Is Not Part of Forensic Accounting:

Preventing fraud is typically the responsibility ofinternal controls, management, and auditors, not forensic accountants. Forensic accounting is reactive, addressing fraud that has already occurred.

References and Documents:

GAO Forensic Auditing Standards:Highlights the role of forensic accounting in investigating, not preventing, fraud.

AICPA Forensic and Valuation Services Practice Aid:Focuses on investigative and litigation support tasks performed by forensic accountants.

Definition of Internal Control (According to GAO):

Internal control is aprocess implemented by managementto provide reasonable assurance that the organization will achieve its objectives in:

Operations(effectiveness and efficiency).

Reporting(reliable and accurate financial and non-financial reporting).

Compliance(adherence to laws and regulations).

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Help an entity achieve its objectives: Correct. This is the primary purpose of internal controls.

B. Design an ERM system: Incorrect. Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is broader than internal control and includes risk strategy and appetite.

C. Set the tone at the top: Incorrect. While the tone at the top is part of the control environment, it is not the full scope of internal control.

D. Develop a strategic plan: Incorrect. Internal control supports strategic plans but is not directly involved in developing them.

References:

GAO,Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government (Green Book).

COSO,Internal Control - Integrated Framework.

Assumptions in Disaster Planning:

Financial continuity planning for natural disasters must account for scenarios where the event occurs suddenly and without warning.

This assumption ensures that governments are prepared to quickly resume critical financial operations even under challenging and unpredictable circumstances.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Leadership and staff will reconvene at an alternate location: While this is part of disaster planning, it is not the primary assumption.

B. A fully redundant infrastructure will be available to staff at an alternate location: This may not always be realistic or feasible.

C. There may be no warning of the potential emergency: Correct. Disaster planning assumes that emergencies can occur without prior notice.

D. Government agencies will need to operate as standalone organizations: This is not a standard assumption in disaster planning.

References:

FEMA,Continuity Guidance Circular.

GAO,Disaster Resilience and Continuity Planning.

Importance of Prior Audit Findings:

When planning a local government financial statement audit, auditors should first reviewprevious audit findingsto identify recurring issues, control weaknesses, or non-compliance areas. This helps auditors focus on areas of higher risk and guides the development of an effective audit strategy.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Government-wide financial statements: Important, but these are reviewed after identifying risk areas from prior findings.

B. Fund financial statements: These are part of the audit process but not the starting point for planning.

C. Reconciliations between fund financial statements: These are analyzed during the audit but come later in the process.

D. Previous audit findings: Correct. Reviewing past findings ensures the auditor addresses previously identified risks and compliance issues.

References:

GAO,Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book).

AICPA,Audit Planning and Risk Assessment Best Practices.

Why Does Management Need Real-Time Data Access?

Real-time access to data enables managers to make timely and informed decisions.

Complex data setspresented clearly and concisely (with minimal distractions) allow decision-makers to focus on the critical insights necessary for strategic and operational planning.

Why Is Option D Correct?

On-demand access ensures managers can retrieve updated data whenever needed. Presenting the data in a focused and distraction-free format facilitates quick comprehension and decision-making.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Visual representation with indirect information:Including unrelated data can overwhelm users and detract from effective decision-making.

B. Dashboards updated quarterly:Quarterly updates do not meet the need for real-time access.

C. Prior year’s financial data:Decisions based solely on historical data are not responsive to real-time needs.

References and Documents:

GAO Data Analytics and Visualization Framework:Stresses the importance of real-time, actionable, and distraction-free data for decision-making.

AICPA Dashboard Guidelines:Recommends presenting complex data sets in a clear and accessible format for management use.

Governmental Attestation Engagements:

These engagements involve providing assurance on specific elements of financial or non-financial information, such as compliance with laws, contracts, or bond covenants.

Reviewing revenue coverage requirements for outstanding bonds fits the scope of attestation engagements, which focus on confirming adherence to specific requirements.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Monitor a subgrantee for compliance to the grant restrictions: Monitoring is a management responsibility, not typically part of an attestation engagement.

B. Establish a policy concerning fraud prevention: Establishing policies is a management duty, not a task for auditors.

C. Monitor purchasing card charges for compliance with travel policies: Monitoring is operational, not attestation-related.

D. Review the revenue coverage requirements on outstanding bonds: Correct. This falls within the scope of attestation engagements.

References:

GAO,Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book).

AICPA,Attestation Standards for Government Engagements.

What Is Vertical Analysis?

Vertical Analysisevaluates a single year's financial statements by expressing each line item as a percentage of a base amount. For example, in an income statement, each expense may be presented as a percentage of total revenue.

This approach helps users understand the relative size of each financial statement item within the context of the total.

Why Is Vertical Analysis Used for a Single Year?

Vertical analysis focuses solely on relationships within a single set of financial statements, making it the appropriate choice for single-year evaluations.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Comparative:Involves comparing financial data across entities or periods, not within a single year.

B. Horizontal:Focuses on changes in financial data over time (year-to-year comparisons).

C. Trend:Examines patterns over multiple periods to identify long-term trends, not a single year.

References and Documents:

GAO Financial Audit Manual:Recommends vertical analysis for single-year financial statement evaluations.

AICPA Financial Statement Analysis Guide:Provides detailed examples of vertical analysis techniques.

Definition of the Condition in an Audit Finding:

The "condition" describes the actual state observed during the audit. It highlights what occurred in practice, serving as the factual basis for the finding.

In this case, the condition is theabsence of receiptsfor multiple credit card purchases.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. We identified multiple credit card purchases without receipts to support them: Correct. This is the observed issue (condition).

B. Government policy requires a cardholder to submit receipts for all purchases: This is the "criteria," which defines the standard or rule being audited against.

C. Finance Department personnel did not regularly review purchases to ensure compliance: This is the "cause," explaining why the condition occurred.

D. We recommend that the government implements a timely review of all credit card purchases: This is the "recommendation," not the condition.

References:

GAO,Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book).

AICPA,Elements of an Audit Finding Guidance.

Why Verify Transit Use Before Taxi Use?

The program is intended for employees who commute by public transit. Verifying transit use on the day the taxi service was used ensures employees are adhering to program rules.

Random sampling is cost-effective and practical for identifying abuse without needing to review all records.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Looking for individuals using the service more than 10 times:This only identifies overuse but does not confirm whether program rules were followed.

B. Checking destination addresses for hospitals/clinics:This assumes all emergencies involve medical visits, which is not always the case.

C. Matching destination addresses to home addresses:This does not confirm transit use and may not identify abuse of the program.

References and Documents:

GAO Fraud Prevention Guide:Recommends using random sampling to check compliance with program rules.

Best Practices for Internal Controls in Benefit Programs:Emphasizes verifying eligibility and usage to detect potential abuse.

What Is an Internal Control Deficiency?

Aninternal control deficiencyoccurs when an organization fails to implement controls to prevent or detect risks effectively.

In this case, responding only to maintenance needs when complaints are received demonstrates a lack of proactive controls, increasing the risk of issues going unnoticed or escalating over time.

Why Is Option C Correct?

Proactive maintenance schedules and inspections are essential for ensuring the safety and functionality of critical infrastructure like dams. Relying solely on complaints or employee reports is a reactive approach and represents a deficiency in internal controls.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Inspecting completed work:This is a proper control to ensure compliance with contract specifications.

B. Releasing the bond after work completion:This ensures contractual obligations are met and is a good control practice.

D. Checking bidder references:This is part of the procurement process and a valid internal control.

References and Documents:

GAO Standards for Internal Control (Green Book):Emphasizes proactive controls and monitoring for critical operations.

Federal Infrastructure Maintenance Best Practices:Highlights proactive inspections and maintenance as essential controls.

Audit Opinions:

Auditors issue opinions onfinancial statement auditsto provide assurance about whether the financial statements are presented fairly in accordance with applicable accounting standards (e.g., GAAP).

Other types of audits, such as performance or forensic audits, do not typically result in opinions but may provide findings or recommendations.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Performance audits: These assess efficiency, effectiveness, or economy but do not include an opinion.

B. Compliance audits: These assess adherence to laws or regulations and may include findings but not an opinion.

C. Financial statement audits: Correct. These audits include an auditor’s opinion on the fairness of the financial statements.

D. Forensic audits: These focus on fraud investigation and result in findings, not an opinion.

References:

AICPA,Audit Opinions on Financial Statements.

GAO,Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book).

Responsibilities in Resolving Single Audit Findings:

Single audits assess compliance with federal program requirements.

Findings often highlight deficiencies or noncompliance issues that must be resolved by the entity receiving the federal funds.

Explanation of Answer Choices:

A. Awarding agency: The agency provides oversight and guidance but does not directly resolve findings.

B. Recipient agency: Correct. The entity receiving the funds is responsible for addressing and resolving findings to comply with federal regulations.

C. Audit committee: May oversee the process but doesn’t take direct responsibility for resolving findings.

D. External auditors: Identify the findings but do not resolve them.

References:

Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200),Single Audit Requirements.

Association of Government Accountants (AGA),Government Auditing Standards.