QUESTION: 17

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a detailed engagement risk assessment?

To ensure that all risks identified during the engagement planning process are addressed during the audit.
To prioritize risks to the activity's objectives, according to the likelihood of occurrence.
To consider significant risks to the activity's objectives and the means by which the potential impact of risk is kept to an acceptable level.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Reference to Engagement Risk Assessment:

Definition: Engagement risk assessment evaluates specific risks relevant to the engagement and identifies controls or mitigations.

Standard 2210.A1: Internal auditors must consider significant risks to objectives, focusing on their likelihood and impact.

Reasoning:

Option C is correct because it aligns with assessing significant risks and ensuring they are mitigated to acceptable levels.

Option A (ensuring all risks are addressed) is impractical since auditors prioritize significant risks within resource constraints.

Option B focuses on prioritizing risks but does not encompass the broader purpose of addressing their impact or mitigation.

Importance of Risk Assessment:

It ensures that the audit focuses on high-impact risks, aligning resources with the organization's risk management framework.

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QUESTION: 18

Duties in a purchasing system are segregated and performed by different people. One person orders the goods, another person receives the goods, and another pays for the goods. This is an example of which of the following controls?

Preventive
Directive
Detective

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Reference to Internal Controls:

Preventive controls are designed to prevent errors, fraud, or irregularities before they occur by ensuring that processes and activities are performed correctly from the start.

Standard 2130 - Control: Internal auditors assess the design and effectiveness of controls to prevent risks from materializing.

Reasoning:

Option A is correct because segregation of duties (ordering, receiving, and paying) is a preventive control, as it prevents a single person from having the authority to initiate, authorize, and complete a transaction, reducing the risk of fraud or errors.

Option B (Directive) would focus on guiding behavior, such as setting policies or expectations.

Option C (Detective) refers to controls that identify and detect errors after they occur, such as audits or reviews.

Impact of Segregation of Duties:

By ensuring duties are segregated, organizations minimize the risk of fraudulent activities and errors, thus acting as a preventive measure.

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QUESTION: 19

Which of the following activities would compromise the independence of the internal audit activity and therefore should not be performed by an internal auditor?

Championing the establishment of organization-wide risk management.
Setting the organization's risk appetite.
Coordinating risk management activities.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Reference to IIA Standards:

Standard 1110 - Organizational Independence: Internal audit must be independent of the activities it audits to maintain objectivity.

Standard 1130 - Impairment to Independence or Objectivity: Internal audit's independence is compromised if auditors take on roles that involve making decisions or implementing controls, as this may bias their findings.

Reasoning:

Option B is correct because setting the organization's risk appetite is a management decision and represents a strategic role that compromises the internal audit's independence.

Option A (championing the establishment of risk management) and Option C (coordinating risk management) do not directly impair independence, though care should be taken to avoid direct involvement in risk management decisions. These activities can be part of advisory services and not necessarily a threat to independence if appropriately managed.

Maintaining Independence:

Internal auditors should provide assurance on risk management but not take on roles that involve decision-making or implementing risk management processes.

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QUESTION: 20

What is the primary objective for testing controls?

To determine whether controls are operating effectively.
To understand whether a control is in place.
To identify major patterns of errors or irregularities that might exist in final account balances.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Comprehensive and Detailed Step-by-Step Reference to IIA Standards:

Standard 2130 - Control: Internal auditors must assess whether internal controls are designed and operating effectively to mitigate identified risks.

Standard 2200 - Engagement Planning: The objective of testing controls is to evaluate their effectiveness in achieving the desired outcomes.

Reasoning:

Option A is correct because the main goal of testing controls is to determine whether they are functioning effectively to manage the identified risks and achieve control objectives.

Option B (understanding whether a control is in place) focuses on control design but not its operational effectiveness.

Option C (identifying patterns of errors) is related to detecting irregularities, not directly testing the control's effectiveness.

Effectiveness of Controls:

Internal audit testing focuses on evaluating the effectiveness and operational efficiency of controls to ensure they reduce risks to an acceptable level.

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