Question 720
For a university finance office, a recurring control is needed after this issue: A fixed asset budget is approved in the asset module but not visible in the central budgeting report. Which preventive safeguard best reduces recurrence?
Explanation
Correct Answer
Reconcile transferred asset budgets to planning approvals. This prevents recurrence of the identified mechanism: Fixed asset budgets and operational budget registers are separate sources until transferred. Validate the control by checking: The budget model contains the approved capital budget once, with matching dimensions.
Incorrect Answers
Reconcile disposal invoice with asset book disposal postings. That safeguard is aimed at a different risk: A company disposes of an old computer for cash, but books the sale through a free text invoice without closing its net book value. It does not most directly prevent recurrence of: Fixed asset budgets and operational budget registers are separate sources until transferred.
Reconcile fixed asset subledger balances to the general ledger after adjustments. That safeguard is aimed at a different risk: An asset has a depreciation adjustment after an approved useful-life change, but finance manually edits accumulated depreciation account balances. It does not most directly prevent recurrence of: Fixed asset budgets and operational budget registers are separate sources until transferred.
Require asset custodian and accounting signoff for intersite transfers. That safeguard is aimed at a different risk: A finance team changes an asset's location from one site to another and expects the general ledger to transfer its book value automatically. It does not most directly prevent recurrence of: Fixed asset budgets and operational budget registers are separate sources until transferred.