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Test Bank For Forensic Accounting Robert Rufus Laura Miller William Hahn
Test Bank For Forensic Accounting Robert Rufus Laura Miller William Hahn
1) A criminal offense is a violation of local, state, or federal law that prohibits certain conduct.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Fraud is a criminal offense. A criminal offense is a violation of local, state, or
federal law that prohibits certain conduct.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-1
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
4) The fraud scale study proposes replacing the incentive component of the fraud triangle with
integrity.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: The fraud scale study proposes replacing the rationalization component of the
fraud triangle with integrity.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
1
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6) Neutralization is a principal theory of rationalization.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: A principal theory of rationalization is neutralization, which proposes denial,
condemnation, and higher loyalty as means by which offenders neutralize their role in a crime.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-3
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
8) White-collar crime offenders commonly receive light or no detention and rarely make full
restitution.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Even when tried and convicted, white-collar crime offenders commonly receive
light or no detention and rarely make full restitution.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-5
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
9) Which financial crimes are prosecuted is determined by the local prosecuting attorney.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Which financial crimes are prosecuted is determined by the local prosecuting
attorney (federal or state) and generally selected based on probability of conviction, operating
plan, budget, notoriety, and public impact.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-6
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
2
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6.2 Multiple-Choice Questions
3
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4) Why should financial crimes meet the "beyond a reasonable doubt" burden of proof standard?
A) because these are victimless
B) because these do not involve violent acts
C) because it is a criminal offense
D) because it is the lowest standard of proof
Answer: C
Diff: 2
LO: 6-1
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
6) Which of the following types of financial crime is in the primary jurisdiction of the FBI?
A) tax fraud
B) Social Security fraud
C) immigration fraud
D) insurance fraud
Answer: D
Explanation: D) The FBI has identified and categorized eight major types of financial crime, one
of which is insurance frauds. Other major categories of white-collar crime that are outside the
primary jurisdiction of the FBI include tax fraud, mail fraud, Social Security fraud, food stamp
fraud, immigration fraud, and bank fraud.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-1
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
4
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7) Which of the following is required to establish fraudulent intent in the absence of a direct
confession?
A) documentary evidence
B) character evidence
C) demonstrative evidence
D) circumstantial evidence
Answer: D
Explanation: D) In the absence of direct evidence, circumstantial evidence is used to establish
fraudulent intent.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-1
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
9) Which of the following is the most common type of financial statement fraud?
A) understatement of losses
B) overvaluation of reserves
C) overstatement of revenues
D) undervaluation of liabilities
Answer: C
Explanation: C) The most common type of financial statement fraud is overstatement of
revenues.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
5
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10) Who conducted the seminal research on which the fraud theory was founded?
A) Edwin Sunderland
B) Donald Cressey
C) Skousen and Wright
D) Wolfe and Hermanson
Answer: B
Explanation: B) Fraud theory is founded in the seminal research of Donald Cressey. Cressey
presented his research findings in the 1953 book Other People's Money, in which he theorized
that fraud results from the convergence of three factors: pressure, opportunity, and
rationalization.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
11) As per Cressey, which of the following is a need or nonshareable problem that precedes the
criminal violation of financial trust?
A) opportunity
B) rationalization
C) pressure
D) capability
Answer: C
Explanation: C) Cressey described pressure (which was identified in every inmate interview) as
a need or nonshareable problem that precedes the criminal violation of financial trust.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
6
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13) Which of the following are the three factors of the fraud triangle?
A) pressure, opportunity, and capability
B) opportunity, capability, and rationalization
C) pressure, opportunity, and rationalization
D) pressure, capability, and rationalization
Answer: C
Explanation: C) In sum, Cressey's research suggests that violations of trust (fraud occur when
the position of trust (opportunity) is viewed by the trusted person as a rational means (solution)
to solve a nonshareable problem (pressure). This research is the foundation for the fraud triangle,
which proposes that three factors-pressure (or need), opportunity, and rationalization- constitute
the conditions under which fraud occurs.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
14) Which of the following is a process by which a person attempts to make his or her actual or
intended behavior more logical or justified?
A) rationalization
B) justification
C) validation
D) corroboration
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Rationalization is a process by which a person attempts to make his or her
actual or intended behavior more logical or justified. This justification allows individuals to
perceive violations of trust as a legitimate means for solving their nonshareable problems.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
7
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16) Which of the following elements is present in a fraud diamond but not in a fraud triangle?
A) integrity
B) capability
C) pressure
D) rationalization
Answer: B
Explanation: B) The underlying proposition of the fraud diamond is that, in addition to pressure,
opportunity, and rationalization (the fraud triangle), offenders also need the "capability" to
commit the act. Wolfe and Hermanson assert that opportunity opens the door, incentive and
rationalization draw offenders toward the door, and capability pushes them through.
Diff: 2
LO: 6-2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
17) Which of the following explains is the underlying proposition of fraud diamond?
A) Integrity, reflected in one's decisions, influences deviant behavior.
B) If incentive is present in an act, the suspect's capacity does not matter.
C) A suspect's capacity, not incentive, should be considered by the forensic accountant.
D) In addition to pressure, opportunity, and rationalization, offenders also need the capability to
commit the act.
Answer: D
Explanation: D) The "fraud diamond," was proposed in 2004 by Wolfe and Hermanson. The
underlying proposition is that, in addition to pressure, opportunity, and rationalization (the fraud
triangle), offenders also need the "capability" to commit the act.
Diff: 2
LO: 6-2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
18) Which of the following components of the fraud triangle was replaced with integrity in the
fraud scale?
A) capability
B) pressure
C) rationalization
D) opportunity
Answer: C
Explanation: C) The fraud scale study proposes replacing the rationalization component of the
fraud triangle with integrity.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
8
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19) Which of the following is true of the fraud scale?
A) Fraud is more likely to occur when there is high pressure, greater opportunity, and low
personal integrity.
B) Fraud is more likely to occur when there is low pressure, lesser opportunity, and low personal
integrity.
C) Fraud is more likely to occur when there is high pressure, lesser opportunity, and low
personal integrity.
D) Fraud is more likely to occur when there is low pressure, greater opportunity, and low
personal integrity.
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Fraud is more likely to occur when there is high (low) pressure, greater (less)
opportunity, and low (high) personal integrity.
Diff: 2
LO: 6-2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
20) According to the traditional economic theory, which of the following motivates smart,
talented, well-educated, and seemingly respectable individuals to commit fraud?
A) self-interest
B) incentive
C) pressure
D) desire
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Traditional economic theory suggests that smart, talented, well-educated, and
seemingly respectable individuals are motivated by self-interest to commit fraud.
Diff: 1
LO: 6-3
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
24) Which of the following is a term used to describe an effort to neutralize one's actions by
shifting blame to those who condemn the behavior?
A) defamation
B) accusation
C) denunciation
D) condemnation
Answer: D
Explanation: D) Condemnation is an effort to neutralize one's actions by shifting blame to those
who condemn the behavior (such as co-workers, employers, prosecutors, and law enforcement).
Diff: 1
LO: 6-3
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
10
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25) Which of the following is suggested by the rational choice theory with regard to the criminal
decision-making process?
A) Offenders choose courses of action such as fraud that produce optimal rewards regardless of
the effort.
B) Specific crime is chosen through an analysis of opportunities and the cost-benefit trade-off.
C) Cost-benefit assessments are objective and rigid.
D) Objectivity of the decision process allows criminal behavior to be considered rational.
Answer: B
Explanation: B) Rational choice suggests that offenders are "rational calculators" who choose
courses of action such as fraud that produce optimal rewards with limited effort. The decision to
commit crime is generally based on a number of factors, such as temperament, upbringing, self-
perception, and previous experience with crime. Once a person has decided to commit a crime,
the specific crime (for example, embezzlement) is chosen through an analysis of opportunities
and the cost-benefit trade-off.
Diff: 2
LO: 6-3
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
11
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27) Which of the following is true of the general theory of crime?
A) It states that individuals with low self-control consider the long-term consequences of their
behavior.
B) It suggests that criminal motivation in and of itself results in a crime.
C) It is applicable to all types of crime, except white-collar crime.
D) It explains crime as a natural consequence of uncontrolled human desire to seek pleasure and
avoid pain.
Answer: D
Explanation: D) The general theory of crime explains crime as a natural consequence of
uncontrolled human desire to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Crime is an attractive means of
pursuing self-interest because it provides "immediate, easy, and short-term pleasure."
Diff: 2
LO: 6-3
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
28) According to the general theory of crime, which of the following is also necessary in
addition to criminal motivation to produce a crime?
A) high rewards
B) opportunity
C) justifiable reason
D) capability
Answer: B
Explanation: B) Criminal motivation in and of itself does not produce a crime. Even the most
motivated criminals must have opportunity.
Diff: 2
LO: 6-3
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
12
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30) Which of the following is a characteristic of a typical white-collar fraudster?
A) uneducated
B) lacks feelings of anxiety and empathy
C) below-average intelligence
D) risk averse
Answer: B
Explanation: B) A typical white-collar fraudster has several characteristics including:
• Above-average intelligence
• Relatively well-educated
• Inclined to take risk
• Lacks feelings of anxiety and empathy
Diff: 1
LO: 6-4
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
32) Which of the following is the goal of post-conviction strategies used by white-collar
offenders?
A) to make oneself judgment-proof
B) to ensure that no further legal actions are faced
C) to protect oneself from being financially sued in the future
D) to avoid payment of restitution
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Common post-conviction strategies include bankruptcy, living via cash (no
bank accounts), and no accumulation of assets. The goal of such strategies is to make oneself
judgment-proof.
Diff: 2
LO: 6-5
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
13
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33) Which of the following scenarios indicate post-conviction strategies used by white-collar
offenders?
A) Laviler, Inc. filed for bankruptcy after the banks refused to reschedule the repayment of loan
dues.
B) Shay does not own any bank account or assets and keeps all his cash in his cupboard.
C) Kuriten, Inc. pays all her expenditures and debts in cash but insists on bank checks for all
receipts.
D) Gisselle does not believe in accumulating assets and invests all her cash in mutual funds.
Answer: B
Explanation: B) Common post-conviction strategies include bankruptcy, living via cash (no
bank accounts), and no accumulation of assets.
Diff: 2
LO: 6-5
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
14
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6.3 Short-Answer Questions
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3) Write a short note on techniques of rationalization (neutralization).
Answer: Fraudsters can rationalize their behavior to themselves, and to the world, in a variety of
ways. A principal theory of rationalization is neutralization, which proposes denial,
condemnation, and higher loyalty as means by which offenders neutralize their role in a crime.
There are three common denial techniques:
• Denial of responsibility. When offenders deny responsibility, they view their behavior as a
result of circumstances beyond their control.
• Denial of injury. When offenders deny injury, they feel as though their behavior did not hurt
anyone, even though it is against the law.
• Denial of the victim. When offenders deny the victim, they conclude that the victim was
deserving of the injuries.
Condemnation is an effort to neutralize one's actions by shifting blame to those who condemn
the behavior (such as co-workers, employers, prosecutors, and law enforcement).
For example, condemnation is commonly used by student cheaters, who claim that instructors
are unfair, unethical, or uncaring. A final technique of neutralization is loyalty to a group with
which the offender associates. Offenders may feel their crime is legitimized because a bond
dictates greater relevance to this group than to conventional society.
Diff: 3
LO: 6-3
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
16
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Test Bank for Forensic Accounting, Robert Rufus, Laura Miller William Hahn
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Copyright © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc.