Which of the following is a control procedure necessary for preventing fraud?

The choice of physical safeguards as a necessary control procedure for preventing fraud is highly relevant. Physical safeguards refer to measures that protect an organization's assets from unauthorized access or theft. This includes security systems, locks, access control mechanisms, and surveillance cameras, which can deter potential fraudsters from committing fraud due to the increased likelihood of detection.

Implementing physical safeguards helps ensure that only authorized personnel have access to valuable assets and sensitive information, effectively reducing opportunities for fraudulent activities. The presence of these safeguards can create a sense of accountability among employees, as they know that actions are being monitored and that security measures are in place.

In contrast, increased employee bonuses, flexible job descriptions, and minimal documentation do not directly contribute to preventing fraud. Increased bonuses might create incentive problems and could lead to risky behavior if not properly controlled. Flexible job descriptions may create ambiguity regarding roles and responsibilities, potentially leading to a lack of accountability. Minimal documentation can actually increase the risk of fraud by making it easier for fraudulent activities to go unnoticed, as they rely on less oversight and record-keeping to track transactions and activities. Therefore, physical safeguards stand out as a fundamental control procedure in fraud prevention.