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Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CGMA) · Certificate in Business Accounting

CIMA BA4 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law: mock exams and practice questions

340 original exam-style questions for CIMA BA4 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law, with full timed mock exams in the real format and an explanation for every answer. Free for everyone until 31 January 2027.

CIMA BA4 exam format

2 hours, computer-based objective test (85 questions). The pass mark is 70%.

SectionFormatMarks
Objective test85 questions: multiple choice, multiple response and number entry85
Total85

Syllabus areas covered

Try 3 free CIMA BA4 questions

Real Fincora questions, with the full explanation. Sign up free for the full bank and timed mocks.

Sample question 1 · A · Business ethics and ethical conflict

Under the CIMA Code of Ethics, which fundamental principle requires a professional accountant not to compromise professional or business judgements because of bias, conflict of interest or the undue influence of others?

  1. A Integrity
  2. B Professional behaviour
  3. C Confidentiality
  4. D Objectivity
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Answer: D. The five fundamental principles in the CIMA Code are:

- Integrity – be straightforward and honest in all professional and business relationships.
- Objectivity – do not compromise professional or business judgements because of bias, conflict of interest or undue influence of others.
- Professional competence and due care – maintain the knowledge and skill needed and act diligently in line with applicable standards.
- Confidentiality – respect the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of professional and business relationships.
- Professional behaviour – comply with relevant laws and regulations and avoid any conduct that the accountant knows or should know might discredit the profession.

Sample question 2 · B · Corporate governance, controls and corporate social responsibility

Which of the following is the most widely used definition of corporate governance, first set out in the UK's Cadbury Report (1992)?

  1. A The process of preparing financial statements that comply with accounting standards
  2. B The body of law that governs how companies are formed and registered
  3. C The system by which shareholders manage a company's day-to-day operations
  4. D The system by which companies are directed and controlled
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Answer: D. The Cadbury Report defined corporate governance as 'the system by which companies are directed and controlled'. Boards of directors are responsible for governance; shareholders appoint the directors and auditors and satisfy themselves that an appropriate governance structure is in place. Governance covers board structure and roles, accountability, risk management and internal control, remuneration and relations with shareholders and other stakeholders.

Sample question 3 · C · General principles of the legal system, contract and employment law

Which of the following is characteristic of a civil (codified) law system, such as that of France, rather than a common law system such as that of England?

  1. A Much of the law is made by judges through a system of binding judicial precedent, with codes playing a minor role
  2. B The law is based mainly on local customs that have never been written down
  3. C The law is set out mainly in written codes, and judges are not bound by earlier court decisions
  4. D All civil disputes are decided by juries of ordinary citizens rather than by professional judges
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Answer: C. Civil law systems (much of continental Europe, Latin America and parts of Asia and Africa) derive from Roman law. Their law is set out in comprehensive written codes (for example France's Civil Code); judges interpret and apply the code, and previous decisions are persuasive rather than binding. Procedure tends to be inquisitorial. Common law systems (England and Wales, the US and many Commonwealth countries) give a central role to judge-made law and binding precedent, alongside legislation, with an adversarial procedure.

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