Government Accounting · Topic 6

Public Sector Audit, Governance and Accountability Quiz

Work through 25 multiple-choice questions, one at a time. Submit each answer for feedback. At the end, review your score and see which concepts to revisit.

Review the Q&AGovernment Accounting quiz path
1. A public auditor checks whether travel payments complied with spending rules. Which concept best fits this case?
2. An audit examines whether a flood program reduced response times as intended. Which concept best fits this case?
3. An auditor examines whether a ministry’s annual statements are materially misstated. Which concept best fits this case?
4. A department asks its audit team to design and operate controls it will later assess. Which concept best fits this case?
5. An oversight committee accepted recommendations but implementation is unclear. Which concept best fits this case?
6. A public auditor checks whether travel payments complied with spending rules. What is the most appropriate next step?
7. An audit examines whether a flood program reduced response times as intended. What is the most appropriate next step?
8. An auditor examines whether a ministry’s annual statements are materially misstated. What is the most appropriate next step?
9. A department asks its audit team to design and operate controls it will later assess. What is the most appropriate next step?
10. An oversight committee accepted recommendations but implementation is unclear. What is the most appropriate next step?
11. A public auditor checks whether travel payments complied with spending rules. Which evidence is most directly useful?
12. An audit examines whether a flood program reduced response times as intended. Which evidence is most directly useful?
13. An auditor examines whether a ministry’s annual statements are materially misstated. Which evidence is most directly useful?
14. A department asks its audit team to design and operate controls it will later assess. Which evidence is most directly useful?
15. An oversight committee accepted recommendations but implementation is unclear. Which evidence is most directly useful?
16. A public auditor checks whether travel payments complied with spending rules. Which conclusion is best supported?
17. An audit examines whether a flood program reduced response times as intended. Which conclusion is best supported?
18. An auditor examines whether a ministry’s annual statements are materially misstated. Which conclusion is best supported?
19. A department asks its audit team to design and operate controls it will later assess. Which conclusion is best supported?
20. An oversight committee accepted recommendations but implementation is unclear. Which conclusion is best supported?
21. A public auditor checks whether travel payments complied with spending rules. Which shortcut would most directly undermine the work?
22. An audit examines whether a flood program reduced response times as intended. Which shortcut would most directly undermine the work?
23. An auditor examines whether a ministry’s annual statements are materially misstated. Which shortcut would most directly undermine the work?
24. A department asks its audit team to design and operate controls it will later assess. Which shortcut would most directly undermine the work?
25. An oversight committee accepted recommendations but implementation is unclear. Which shortcut would most directly undermine the work?
Show the answer key
  1. Compliance audit The conclusion addresses compliance with specified authorities.
  2. Performance audit Effectiveness concerns achievement of intended results.
  3. Financial audit Financial audit addresses reporting under the applicable framework.
  4. Audit objectivity Operating controls can impair later independent evaluation.
  5. Recommendation follow-up A management promise does not establish effective implementation.
  6. Test payments against the applicable criteria and document exceptions The conclusion addresses compliance with specified authorities.
  7. Compare results with criteria and investigate reasons for the outcome Effectiveness concerns achievement of intended results.
  8. Assess risk and gather appropriate evidence for an opinion on the statements Financial audit addresses reporting under the applicable framework.
  9. Keep management responsible for operating controls and evaluate threats to objectivity Operating controls can impair later independent evaluation.
  10. Test whether corrective actions were implemented and address the finding A management promise does not establish effective implementation.
  11. Travel rules, vouchers and approvals Test payments against the applicable criteria and document exceptions.
  12. Baseline response times, service records and target measures Compare results with criteria and investigate reasons for the outcome.
  13. Financial statements, reconciliations and corroborating evidence Assess risk and gather appropriate evidence for an opinion on the statements.
  14. Audit charter and responsibility assignments Keep management responsible for operating controls and evaluate threats to objectivity.
  15. Action tracker, supporting records and retest results Test whether corrective actions were implemented and address the finding.
  16. The conclusion addresses compliance with specified authorities Travel rules, vouchers and approvals can support that assessment.
  17. Effectiveness concerns achievement of intended results Baseline response times, service records and target measures can support that assessment.
  18. Financial audit addresses reporting under the applicable framework Financial statements, reconciliations and corroborating evidence can support that assessment.
  19. Operating controls can impair later independent evaluation Audit charter and responsibility assignments can support that assessment.
  20. A management promise does not establish effective implementation Action tracker, supporting records and retest results can support that assessment.
  21. Treating approved signatures as proof all legal criteria were met The conclusion addresses compliance with specified authorities.
  22. Using the percentage of budget spent as the only success measure Effectiveness concerns achievement of intended results.
  23. Substituting an evaluation of policy outcomes for financial audit procedures Financial audit addresses reporting under the applicable framework.
  24. Assigning audit staff permanent approval authority over their own review area Operating controls can impair later independent evaluation.
  25. Closing a finding on the basis of a promise alone A management promise does not establish effective implementation.

These are hypothetical examples. Local reporting frameworks and budget rules vary. IPSASB standards and pronouncements