CFA CFA-Level-II Exam Questions
CFA Level II Chartered Financial Analyst (Page 7 )

Updated On: 21-Feb-2026

Stanley Bostwick, CFA, is a business services industry analyst with Mortonworld Financial. Currently, his attention is focused on the 2008 financial statements of Global Oilfield Supply, particularly the footnote disclosures related to the company's employee benefit plans. Bostwick would like to adjust the financial statements to reflect the actual economic status of the pension plans and analyze the effect on the reported results of changes in assumptions the company used to estimate the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and net pension cost. But first, Bostwick must familiarize himself with the differences in the accounting for defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans.

Global Oilfield's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Excerpts from the company's annual report are shown in the following exhibits.






If Global Oilfield's retirement plan is a defined contribution arrangement, which of the following statements would be the most correct?

  1. Pension expense and the cash funding amount would be the same.
  2. The potential gains or losses from the assets contributed to the plan are borne by the firm.
  3. The firm would report the difference in the accumulated benefit obligation and the pension assets on the balance sheet.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

In a defined contribution plan, pension expense is equal to the amount contributed by the firm. The plan participants bear the shortfall risk. There is no ABO in a defined contribution plan. (Study Session 6, LOS 22.a)



Stanley Bostwick, CFA, is a business services industry analyst with Mortonworld Financial. Currently, his attention is focused on the 2008 financial statements of Global Oilfield Supply, particularly the footnote disclosures related to the company's employee benefit plans. Bostwick would like to adjust the financial statements to reflect the actual economic status of the pension plans and analyze the effect on the reported results of changes in assumptions the company used to estimate the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and net pension cost. But first, Bostwick must familiarize himself with the differences in the accounting for defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans.

Global Oilfield's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Excerpts from the company's annual report are shown in the following exhibits.






If Global Oilfield were to adopt U.S. pension accounting standards, what adjustment, if any, is necessary to its balance sheet at the end of 2008 assuming no taxes?

  1. Decrease assets by €7,222, decrease liabilities €2,524, and decrease equity by $4,698.
  2. Decrease assets by €4,698 and decrease equity by €4,698.
  3. No adjustment is necessary.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

At the end of 2008, Global Oilfield repotred a net pension asset of €7,222 in accordance with IFRS. Under SFAS No. 158, Global Oilfields funded status of €2,524 should be reported on the balance sheet. Thus, it is necessary to reduce the net pension asset by €4,698(€7,222 as reported - €2,524 funded status). In order for the accounting equation to balance, it is also necessary to reduce equity by €4,698. (Study Session 6, LOS22.d)



Stanley Bostwick, CFA, is a business services industry analyst with Mortonworld Financial. Currently, his attention is focused on the 2008 financial statements of Global Oilfield Supply, particularly the footnote disclosures related to the company's employee benefit plans. Bostwick would like to adjust the financial statements to reflect the actual economic status of the pension plans and analyze the effect on the reported results of changes in assumptions the company used to estimate the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and net pension cost. But first, Bostwick must familiarize himself with the differences in the accounting for defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans.

Global Oilfield's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Excerpts from the company's annual report are shown in the following exhibits.






What was the most likely cause of the actuarial gain reported in the reconciliation of the projected benefit obligation for the year ended 2008?

  1. Increase in the average life expectancy of the participating employees.
  2. Decrease in the expected rate of return.
  3. Increase in the discount rate.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

At the end of 2008, Global Oilfield reported a net pension asset of €7,222 in accordance with IFRS. Under SFAS No. 158, Global Oilfields funded status of €2,524 should be reported on the balance sheet. Thus, it is necessary to reduce the net pension asset by €4,698 (€7,222 as reported - €2,524 funded status). In order for the accounting equation to balance, it is also necessary to reduce equity by €4,698. (Study Session 6, LOS22.d)



Stanley Bostwick, CFA, is a business services industry analyst with Mortonworld Financial. Currently, his attention is focused on the 2008 financial statements of Global Oilfield Supply, particularly the footnote disclosures related to the company's employee benefit plans. Bostwick would like to adjust the financial statements to reflect the actual economic status of the pension plans and analyze the effect on the reported results of changes in assumptions the company used to estimate the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and net pension cost. But first, Bostwick must familiarize himself with the differences in the accounting for defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans.

Global Oilfield's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Excerpts from the company's annual report are shown in the following exhibits.






Which of the following best describes the effects of a decrease in the rate of compensation growth during 2009 all else equal? Global Oilfield's:

  1. service cost is lower and the accumulated benefit obligation is higher.
  2. pension expense is lower and the plan assets are higher.
  3. net income is higher and the funded status is higher.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

A decrease in the compensation growth rate will reduce service cost. Lower service cost will result in lower pension expense and, thus, higher net income. Lowering the compensation growth rate will also reduce the PBO. A lower PBO will increase the funded status of the plan (make the plan appear more funded). The compensation growth rate has no effect on the ABO and plan assets. (Study Session 6, LOS 22.c)



Stanley Bostwick, CFA, is a business services industry analyst with Mortonworld Financial. Currently, his attention is focused on the 2008 financial statements of Global Oilfield Supply, particularly the footnote disclosures related to the company's employee benefit plans. Bostwick would like to adjust the financial statements to reflect the actual economic status of the pension plans and analyze the effect on the reported results of changes in assumptions the company used to estimate the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and net pension cost. But first, Bostwick must familiarize himself with the differences in the accounting for defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans.

Global Oilfield's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Excerpts from the company's annual report are shown in the following exhibits.






As compared to Global Oilfield's reported pension expense, economic pension expense for the year ended 2008 is:

  1. higher.
  2. lower.
  3. the same.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

For the year-ended 2008, Global Oilfield's reported pension expense was €7,704 (Exhibit 4), and its economic pension expense was €3,410 (€8,298 service cost + €4,128 interest cost — €1,932 actuarial gain — €7,084 actual return). Alternatively, economic pension expense can be calculated as the change in the funded status excluding contributions (€2,524 funded status for 2008 - €934 funded status for 2007 - €5.000 contributions for 2008). (Study Session 6, LOS 22.f)






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