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Quizzes > Business & Finance

FCPA Quiz: Test Your Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Knowledge

Quick, free FCPA practice test with instant results and explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jonathan WeinsteinUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of FCPA quiz elements magnifying glass checklist globe coins on dark blue background

This FCPA quiz helps you spot bribery risks and common Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations in real scenarios, so you can check your compliance basics fast. Get instant feedback and simple explanations as you go. Building a broader program? Try our business ethics quiz, code of conduct quiz, and sharpen AML skills with an anti money laundering quiz.

Which law makes it unlawful for U.S. persons to bribe foreign officials to obtain or retain business?
False Claims Act
Sherman Antitrust Act
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) was enacted in 1977 and prohibits U.S. persons and businesses from bribing foreign officials to obtain or retain business. It also requires issuers to maintain accurate books and records and adequate internal controls. The FCPA is enforced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Which two core provisions comprise the FCPA?
Antitrust and Monopolies
Anti-Bribery and Books & Records
Insider Trading and Disclosure
Money Laundering and Reporting
The FCPA consists of two main provisions: the anti-bribery provisions, which prohibit the payment of bribes to foreign officials, and the books and records and internal controls provisions, which require companies to keep accurate financial records. Together, they ensure both compliance with ethical standards and transparency in corporate accounting.
Which U.S. department enforces the FCPAs criminal anti-bribery provisions?
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Department of State
Department of Commerce
The DOJ is primarily responsible for criminal enforcement of the FCPA, while the SEC handles civil enforcement for issuers. The DOJ prosecutes individuals and entities for violations of the anti-bribery provisions. Understanding which agency has jurisdiction is essential for compliance and legal strategy.
A payment to expedite routine court filing by a foreign government clerk is considered:
An unauthorized corporate gift
Money laundering
A permissible facilitation payment
An illegal bribe under the FCPA
A facilitation payment is a payment made to expedite or secure the performance of a routine governmental action and is an exception under the FCPAs anti-bribery provisions. Routine actions include processing permits or scheduling inspections. While often discouraged by companies, these payments are not considered bribes under the FCPA.
What does the FCPA Books & Records provision require of issuers?
File annual statements with the DOJ
Report only material bribe payments
Maintain accurate books and records reflecting all transactions
Segregate all foreign transactions in a separate ledger
The Books & Records provision requires that issuers maintain books, records, and accounts that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the companys assets. This ensures transparency and prevents the concealment of bribes or improper payments. Violations can lead to significant fines and enforcement actions by the SEC.
Which due diligence step is essential before engaging a third-party agent in a foreign country?
Rely solely on references from unrelated parties
Sign a contract without reviewing local compliance risks
Conduct a background check on the agents reputation and integrity
Select the agent offering the lowest fees
Effective due diligence on third-party agents includes background checks on reputation, integrity, and compliance history to reduce FCPA risk. Companies should assess any red flags such as prior misconduct or unusual compensation arrangements. Proper due diligence helps prevent indirect facilitation of bribes.
Under the FCPA, which of the following best defines a foreign official?
Only heads of state and ministers
Any officer or employee of a foreign government or public international organization
Only elected politicians
Private consultants hired by foreign companies
The term foreign official under the FCPA includes any officer or employee of a foreign government or any department, agency, or instrumentality, as well as officials of public international organizations and political parties. This broad definition captures individuals working at state-owned enterprises. It is critical for companies to identify covered parties to avoid violations.
What constitutes a quid pro quo bribe under the FCPA?
A political contribution disclosed in public filings
A gift valued under $50
A charitable donation
An exchange of something of value for an improper business advantage
A quid pro quo bribe involves the exchange of something of value for an improper business advantage or decision. Under the FCPA, offering or giving anything of value to influence a foreign officials acts or decisions constitutes a bribe. The direct exchange or expectation makes it a clear violation.
A U.S. companys foreign subsidiary gives expensive sports tickets valued at $500 each to a local sports team owned by a government official to secure a contract. Is this a violation under the FCPA?
No; gifts under $1,000 are allowed without restriction
No; entertainment is exempt under the facilitation payment exception
Yes; but only if multiple officials receive the tickets
Yes; the tickets are a thing of value provided to a foreign official to influence business
Providing high-value entertainment or gifts to a foreign official in hopes of securing business constitutes a thing of value given for a business advantage, which is prohibited under the FCPA unless a legitimate exception applies. The facilitation payment exception does not cover significant entertainment or gifts. Companies must ensure any business entertainment is bona fide, modest, and documented.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand FCPA Standards -

    Grasp the key provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and distinguish between prohibited bribery and permitted facilitation payments.

  2. Identify Compliance Pitfalls -

    Spot common red flags and anti-corruption violations in realistic business scenarios presented in the FCPA test.

  3. Analyze Bribery Scenarios -

    Evaluate hypothetical case studies to determine whether conduct violates the FCPA's anti-bribery or recordkeeping requirements.

  4. Apply Anti-Corruption Principles -

    Use FCPA compliance guidelines to recommend appropriate risk-mitigation strategies in corporate transactions.

  5. Evaluate Compliance Programs -

    Assess the effectiveness of anti-corruption controls and identify areas for improvement within an organization's compliance framework.

  6. Strengthen Decision-Making Skills -

    Develop the confidence to make informed compliance decisions and prevent Foreign Corrupt Practices Act breaches in real-world contexts.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Dual Structure: Anti-Bribery & Accounting Provisions -

    The FCPA's anti-bribery provisions prohibit corrupt payments to foreign officials, while its accounting rules mandate accurate books and robust internal controls (DOJ/SEC). Remember "A.B.C.": Anti-Bribery, Books & Records, Controls. In an FCPA test scenario, you might identify a bribe disguised as a "consulting fee."

  2. Identifying "Foreign Officials" and Agents -

    The Act defines "foreign official" broadly, covering government employees, state-owned enterprises, and even party officials (US DOJ Interpretive Guidance). Use the mnemonic "GOATS": Government, Officials, Agency, Territory, State-owned. In a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act test question, always check if a third-party consultant might trigger liability.

  3. Books & Records Requirements -

    Under 15 U.S.C. ยง 78m(b)(2), companies must keep "fair and accurate" records; mischaracterizing a bribe as "marketing expense" violates the FCPA. A sample question in a bribery compliance quiz might ask you to match common misclassifications with red flags. Use the formula: Accurate Record = Transparency + Detail.

  4. Internal Controls Mandate -

    The FCPA demands "reasonable" internal controls to prevent unauthorized transactions (17 CFR 240.13b2-2). Consider testing controls via periodic audits and reconciliation procedures often featured in anti-corruption quizzes and FCPA compliance tests. Remember "C-A-R" controls: Control activities, Audit trails, Reporting mechanisms.

  5. Key Elements of an Effective Compliance Program -

    DOJ's FCPA Resource Guide outlines five pillars: risk assessment, training, due diligence, auditing, and enforcement (2008 Guide). When preparing for an FCPA quiz, evaluate if your program demonstrates "tone at the top." Use the "TRAD-E" mnemonic: Training, Risk, Audits, Due diligence, Enforcement.

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