CBA Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the CBA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 CBA Exam Format at a Glance

200
Questions
360 min
Time Limit
70.00%
Passing Score

📚 CBA Topics to Study (23)

✍️ Sample CBA Questions & Answers

1. Why is documentation important in compliance processes?
To provide proof of compliance

Documentation serves as evidence of compliance with laws and policies, supporting audits and regulatory reviews.

2. A bank has identified and classified several large commercial loans as Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs). When auditing these loans, the auditor's primary focus should be to ensure that:
the concession granted to the borrower has been properly identified and the loan's impairment has been measured and recognized in accordance with accounting principles.

The key audit and accounting issue for a TDR is its proper recognition and measurement. Under accounting standards (e.g., ASC 310-40), a TDR occurs when a creditor, for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor's financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. The auditor must verify that these concessions are identified and that the resulting impairment on the loan is correctly calculated (either through the discounted cash flow method or the fair value of collateral) and reflected in the Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL).

3. Which control most effectively detects ghost employee schemes in a bank's payroll system?
Comparing payroll records against HR personnel files and conducting surprise physical headcounts

Comparing payroll records to active HR personnel files and performing unannounced physical headcounts effectively identifies ghost employees — fictitious workers added to payroll to divert paychecks.

4. What role does internal audit play in a bank's internal control system?
Independent assessment of controls

Internal audit provides independent evaluations of the bank’s risk management, control, and governance processes.

5. Which of the following best defines a compliance risk?
Violation of laws or regulations

Compliance risk is the potential for legal or regulatory sanctions, financial loss, or reputational damage from noncompliance.

6. When auditing a bank's data governance framework, which of the following is the MOST critical principle for an auditor to verify?
The establishment of clear ownership and accountability for critical data elements.

A fundamental principle of effective data governance is establishing clear ownership and accountability. This ensures that there are designated individuals or teams responsible for the quality, security, and management of specific data assets throughout their lifecycle. Without clear ownership, it becomes difficult to enforce policies, maintain data quality, and manage risks effectively.

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Your CBA Study Path
1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation