1.
What is the primary purpose of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002?
Correct Answer
A. Enhance corporate governance
Explanation
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) was enacted in response to major corporate and accounting scandals, such as Enron and WorldCom. Its primary purpose is to enhance corporate governance and accountability by implementing stricter regulations on financial reporting, auditing, and internal controls. SOX aims to increase transparency and protect investors by ensuring that companies maintain accurate financial records and have robust internal control mechanisms.
2.
In which financial statement would you find the company's retained earnings?
Correct Answer
D. Statement of Shareholders' Equity
Explanation
Retained earnings are reported in the Statement of Shareholders' Equity, which shows changes in equity over a period. This statement includes retained earnings, additional paid-in capital, and other equity components. Retained earnings reflect the cumulative amount of net income that a company has reinvested in the business rather than distributed as dividends.
3.
What is the primary difference between ethical relativism and ethical absolutism?
Correct Answer
A. Context-based vs. universal principles
Explanation
Ethical relativism suggests that moral principles are context-dependent and can vary based on culture, society, or individual circumstances. In contrast, ethical absolutism asserts that there are universal moral principles that apply to all individuals, regardless of context. The main difference lies in whether ethics are seen as flexible and situational (relativism) or fixed and universal (absolutism).
4.
Who is credited with developing the theory of efficient markets?
Correct Answer
A. Eugene Fama
Explanation
Eugene Fama is renowned for developing the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH), which proposes that financial markets are "informationally efficient." According to this theory, asset prices reflect all available information at any given time, making it impossible for investors to consistently achieve returns that exceed average market returns through stock picking or market timing.
5.
What does the term 'fiduciary duty' refer to in the context of business ethics?
Correct Answer
A. Obligation to act in clients' best interest
Explanation
Fiduciary duty is a legal and ethical obligation that requires individuals or entities, such as financial advisors or company directors, to act in the best interest of their clients or stakeholders. This duty involves prioritizing the interests of clients above personal or business gains, ensuring that decisions are made with integrity, honesty, and transparency.
6.
What is the main goal of the Basel III framework in banking?
Correct Answer
C. Enhance capital adequacy
Explanation
Basel III is an international regulatory framework designed to strengthen the regulation, supervision, and risk management of the banking sector. Its main goal is to enhance capital adequacy by increasing the minimum capital requirements for banks, improving the quality of capital, and introducing new liquidity and leverage ratios to ensure banks can withstand financial stress.
7.
What principle is central to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR)?
Correct Answer
B. Obligation to community welfare
Explanation
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is based on the principle that businesses have a responsibility beyond profit-making to contribute positively to society. This includes addressing social, environmental, and economic impacts, and ensuring that their operations benefit the community. CSR involves ethical practices, sustainability efforts, and engagement in community welfare.
8.
Which accounting method is used to recognize revenue when it is earned, regardless of when cash is received?
Correct Answer
B. Accrual Basis Accounting
Explanation
Accrual Basis Accounting recognizes revenue and expenses when they are incurred, not necessarily when cash transactions occur. This method provides a more accurate picture of a company's financial performance by matching revenues with the expenses incurred to generate them, thus reflecting the true economic activity within a period.
9.
In finance, what does the term 'beta' measure in relation to a stock?
Correct Answer
A. Market risk relative to the market
Explanation
Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility or risk relative to the overall market. A beta of 1 indicates that the stock's price moves in line with the market. A beta greater than 1 means the stock is more volatile than the market, while a beta less than 1 means it is less volatile. Beta helps investors understand the risk associated with a stock compared to market movements.
10.
What is the main ethical concern with insider trading?
Correct Answer
A. Using confidential information for personal gain
Explanation
Insider trading involves buying or selling securities based on non-public, material information. The main ethical concern is that it gives an unfair advantage to those with access to confidential information, undermining the integrity of financial markets. It can harm other investors who do not have access to such information and erode public trust in the fairness of the securities markets.