Question 320
For a university finance office, a recurring control is needed after this issue: A finance team changes an asset's location from one site to another and expects the general ledger to transfer its book value automatically. Which preventive safeguard best reduces recurrence?
Explanation
Correct Answer
Require asset custodian and accounting signoff for intersite transfers. This prevents recurrence of the identified mechanism: Physical asset location and legal/financial asset ownership are distinct properties. Validate the control by checking: The asset record shows correct new location and any required accounting transfer posts separately.
Incorrect Answers
Document rationale and reconcile reclassification postings. That safeguard is aimed at a different risk: A subsidiary decides an asset was misclassified from furniture to IT equipment but attempts to fix this by deleting historical depreciation vouchers. It does not most directly prevent recurrence of: Physical asset location and legal/financial asset ownership are distinct properties.
Reconcile intercompany asset transfers before consolidation. That safeguard is aimed at a different risk: An asset is transferred between two companies, but one company posts the disposal while the other fails to recognize the corresponding acquisition. It does not most directly prevent recurrence of: Physical asset location and legal/financial asset ownership are distinct properties.
Reconcile receipt and invoice milestones before declaring asset acquisition complete. That safeguard is aimed at a different risk: A new fixed asset purchased through a PO has been received, but no acquisition transaction exists in its book. It does not most directly prevent recurrence of: Physical asset location and legal/financial asset ownership are distinct properties.