CPA Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) : CPA Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for CPA Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Financial Risk Management

Which of the following criteria is necessary to be an audit committee financial expert, specified in SOX 2002?

Possible Answers:

Education and experience as a certified financial planner

Experience with internal accounting controls

A limited understanding of GAAS

Experience in the preparation of tax returns

Correct answer:

Experience with internal accounting controls

Explanation:

The issuer's audit committee's financial expert must have experience with internal controls. The may be through past experience or education.

Example Question #1 : Sox (Sarbanes Oxley) 2002

An audit committee members of an issuer is required under SOX 2002 to maintain which of the following attributes:

Possible Answers:

Integrity

Independence

Proficiency

Diligence

Correct answer:

Independence

Explanation:

SOX 2002 states that members of the audit committee are to be members of the board of directors but otherwise independent. To be independent, the members may not accept compensation or be an affiliated person.

Example Question #12 : Financial Risk Management

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 seeks to improve investor confidence by allowing for greater transparency for all of the following issues except:

Possible Answers:

Adequacy of internal controls

Means and methods for balancing risk and growth

Competency of audit committees

Compliance of senior officers with a code of ethics

Correct answer:

Means and methods for balancing risk and growth

Explanation:

ERM concepts specifically address investor issues surrounding risk and growth however SOX 2002 focuses on less strategic operations and more on financial reporting issues including ethics.

Example Question #2 : Sox (Sarbanes Oxley) 2002

According to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, a chief executive officer who misrepresents the company's finances may be penalized by being:

Possible Answers:

Imprisoned but not fines

Fined and imprisoned

Removed from corporate office and fined

Fined but not imprisoned

Correct answer:

Fined and imprisoned

Explanation:

An individual who knowingly executes securities fraud will be both fined or imprisoned not more than 20 years or both.

Example Question #3 : Sox (Sarbanes Oxley) 2002

According to SOX 2002, anyone who knowingly alters, destroys, covers up, or makes false entry in a document with the intent to obstruct an investigation within any agency of the United States may be fined and/or imprisoned for up to:

Possible Answers:

5 years

15 years

10 years

20 years

Correct answer:

20 years

Explanation:

The penalty for altering documents is punished up to 20 years.

Example Question #13 : Financial Risk Management

The SOX 2002 code of ethics for senior officers includes and promotes:

Possible Answers:

Full, fair, accurate, and timely disclosures in periodic financial reports

Honest and ethical conduct including handling of conflicts of interest

Compliance with laws, rules, and regulations

Competitive pay for staff

Correct answer:

Competitive pay for staff

Explanation:

SOX 2002 does not involve or necessitate fair pay for members of a company. It promotes the ethical and legal promotion of business.

Example Question #1 : Financial Management Formulas

Which one of a firm's sources of new capital usually has the lowest after-tax cost?

Possible Answers:

Preferred stock

Common stock

Retained earnings

Bonds

Correct answer:

Bonds

Explanation:

Debt is a cheaper source of financing than equity. In addition, there is a tax deduction for interest paid on debt.

Example Question #31 : Cpa Business Environment And Concepts (Bec)

Which of the following rates is most commonly compared to the internal rate of return to evaluate whether to make an investment?

Possible Answers:

Weighted average cost of capital 

Long term rate on US Treasury bonds

Short term rate on US Treasury bonds

Prime rate of interest

Correct answer:

Short term rate on US Treasury bonds

Explanation:

WACC is used as the hurdle rate within capital budgeting techniques. Investments that provide a return that exceeds the WACC should continuously add to the value of the firm.

Example Question #1 : Financial Management Formulas

Which one of the following factors might cause a firm to increase the debt in its financial structure?

Possible Answers:

An increase in the PE ratio

An increase in the corporate income tax rate

A decrease in the times interest earned ratio

Increased economic uncertainty

Correct answer:

An increase in the corporate income tax rate

Explanation:

Interest on debt financing is tax-deductible whereas dividends from equity are not. An increase in tax rates might cause a firm to increase debt financing.

Example Question #1 : Weighted Average Cost Of Capital Formula

The marketable securities with the least amount of default risk are:

Possible Answers:

Repurchase agreements

Federal government agency securities

Bankers acceptances

US Treasury securities

Correct answer:

US Treasury securities

Explanation:

Default risk is the risk that the security will not be paid. US Treasury securities are issued by the Treasury Department which has no risk of non payment.

All CPA Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) Resources

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