IIA-CHAL-QISA Exam Questions and Answers

QUESTION: 16

While conducting an engagement in the procurement department, the internal auditor noticed that the department head's travel reports showed minor travel expenses, and there were no charges for hotels, meals, or transportation However, the auditor knew that the department head frequently traveled worldwide to meet with suppliers and visit their production sites.
Which of the following would be the most appropriate next step for the auditor?

The auditor should make a note of the issue for follow-up when employee travel expenses are audited.
The auditor should analyze trends and changes among the organization's suppliers over the past few years.
The auditor should investigate whether there are any special arrangements regarding senior management travel.
The auditor should analyze the list of destinations the department head visited to estimate typical costs

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Identifying the Anomaly: The internal auditor has identified a discrepancy in the travel expenses of the department head, who frequently travels yet reports minimal expenses. This raises a red flag that needs further investigation.
Understanding the Context: It is important to determine if there are legitimate reasons for the discrepancy, such as special arrangements made for senior management travel, which could explain the absence of typical travel expenses like hotels, meals, and transportation. Appropriate Next Step: Investigating whether there are any special arrangements for senior management travel (Option C) is the most logical next step. This helps in understanding the context and validating whether the discrepancy is justified or indicative of potential issues such as fraud or misreporting.

Reference:

Internal auditing standards emphasize the need for auditors to understand the environment and context of the organization's operations when anomalies are detected.
Other Options Considered:
Option A: Making a note for future follow-up is not proactive and delays addressing a potential issue. Option B: Analyzing supplier trends, while useful, does not directly address the travel expense anomaly.
Option D: Estimating costs based on destinations can provide insights but does not explain potential legitimate arrangements made by the organization.
Conclusion: Investigating special arrangements regarding senior management travel (Option C) is the most appropriate step to understand the discrepancy and ensure there are no irregularities.

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QUESTION: 17

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between risk appetite and risk tolerance?

Risk appetite applies to specific objectives, while risk tolerance refers to an organization's general attitude toward risk.
Risk appetite refers to the degree of risk acceptance for a particular objective, while risk tolerance is one approach to risk management
Risk appetite refers to an organization's general level of acceptance, while risk tolerance is a more specific and subordinate concept
There is no significant difference between the two terms

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Definition of Risk Appetite: Risk appetite is the amount and type of risk an organization is willing to pursue or retain to achieve its objectives. It reflects the organization's overall approach to risk-taking and is typically articulated at the highest level of the organization.

Reference:

COSO's Enterprise Risk Management Framework. Definition of Risk Tolerance: Risk tolerance refers to the acceptable variation relative to the achievement of specific objectives. It is more granular and specific than risk appetite, detailing the levels of risk that are acceptable within the parameters set by the organization's risk appetite.

IIA's Practice Guide on Risk Management.
Distinguishing the Two Concepts: Risk appetite is broad and sets the overall boundaries for risk- taking, while risk tolerance is more specific, outlining acceptable risk levels for particular objectives within the broader risk appetite framework.
Practical Example: An organization may have a high risk appetite, accepting significant risks to achieve growth, but its risk tolerance for operational risks (such as system failures) may be low, indicating minimal acceptable deviations from expected performance. Conclusion: The correct answer is C, as risk appetite represents the organization's general level of risk acceptance, whereas risk tolerance is more specific and detailed, falling under the broader scope of risk appetite.

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QUESTION: 18

Which of the following is a true statement regarding whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is one of several possible ethical structures an organization can undertake to encourage ethical behavior.
Whistleblowing programs help employees deal with ethical questions and instill ethical values into everyday behavior
Whistleblowers are current or former employees who are disgruntled and looking to retaliate.
Whistleblowers should inform the organization about actual criminal circumstances, not assumed allegations.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Purpose of Whistleblowing: Whistleblowing is a mechanism that allows employees to report unethical or illegal activities within the organization. It is a vital part of an organization's ethical framework, providing a structured way for concerns to be raised and addressed.

Reference:

IIA's Practice Guide on Whistleblowing Programs. Encouraging Ethical Behavior: By having a whistleblowing program, an organization encourages employees to come forward with concerns, which helps in maintaining ethical standards and preventing misconduct.
Practical Example: Employees who notice financial discrepancies can report these through the whistleblowing system without fear of retaliation, supporting a culture of transparency and accountability.
Other Options Considered:
Option B: While whistleblowing programs can support ethical behavior, they are primarily designed for reporting issues rather than instilling values.

Option C: This is a misconception; whistleblowers often report genuine concerns rather than acting out of retaliation.
Option D: Whistleblowers can report suspected unethical or illegal activities, which may not always be criminal but are still significant for organizational integrity. Conclusion: The correct answer is A, as whistleblowing is one of several ethical structures that organizations can adopt to encourage reporting of unethical behavior and maintain high ethical standards.

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QUESTION: 19

An internal auditor discovered fraud while performing an audit of an organization's procurement process.
Which of the following describes the greatest benefit of using forensic auditing techniques in this scenario?

Enhanced capability to prevent frauds from occurring.
Greater assurance that procurement frauds will be detected in a timely manner
Improved capability of evaluating fraud risks within the organization.
Greater understanding of fraud through better evidence collection

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Forensic auditing techniques provide a systematic approach to collecting and analyzing evidence related to fraud. The primary benefit of these techniques is the enhanced ability to gather comprehensive and detailed evidence, which leads to a greater understanding of how the fraud occurred and who was involved. This detailed evidence collection supports legal proceedings and helps in identifying control weaknesses that need to be addressed to prevent future frauds.

Reference:

"Forensic Auditing: Principles and Practices," which outlines the importance of evidence collection in understanding and combating fraud.

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QUESTION: 20

An internal auditor observed that sales staff are able to modify or cancel an order in the system prior to shipping She wonders whether they can also modify orders after shipping.
Which of the following types of controls should she examine?

Batch controls.
Application controls
General IT controls.
Logical access controls

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Application controls are specific to software applications and ensure that transactions are processed correctly and accurately. They include controls over input, processing, and output. In this scenario,

examining application controls will help determine if sales staff can modify orders after shipping, as these controls directly impact how data is handled within the system.

Reference:

"Information Technology Auditing," which explains the role of application controls in maintaining data integrity and security.

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IIA IIA-CHAL-QISA Exam (page: 4) IIA Qualified Info Systems Auditor CIA Challenge Updated on: 12-Feb-2026

QUESTION: 16

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QUESTION: 17

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QUESTION: 18

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QUESTION: 19

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QUESTION: 20

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IIA IIA-CHAL-QISA Exam (page: 4)
IIA Qualified Info Systems Auditor CIA Challenge
Updated on: 12-Feb-2026