Acams CGSS Exam - Topic 4 Question 5 Discussion

Actual exam question for Acams's CGSS exam

Question #: 5
Topic #: 4

[All CGSS Questions]

Which directs the Office of Foreign Assets Control to list non-US persons as Specially Designated Nationals?

AExecutive Orders issued by the US President

BSectoral Sanctions Identifications issued by the US Treasury Department

CFinancial Action Task Force Recommendations

DUN Security Council Resolutions

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: A

OFAC designations---including designating non-US persons---are authorized through Executive Orders (EOs) issued by the President under statutory authority such as IEEPA or the Trading With the Enemy Act. Executive Orders define which categories of persons or entities may be designated and direct OFAC to act.

Sectoral Sanctions Identifications relate to sectoral sanctions, not full SDN designation. FATF recommendations are global AML standards, not OFAC authorities. UN resolutions may influence US sanctions but are not the legal authority directing SDN listings.

Executive Orders as legal authority for OFAC SDN designations.

Relationship between US statutory authority and OFAC implementation.

by Augustine at Dec 23, 2025, 04:43 PM

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Dana

2 days ago

Haha, C) Financial Action Task Force Recommendations? What is this, a global game of "Simon Says"? I'll stick with the good old US President's orders, thank you very much.

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Lashon

25 days ago

D) UN Security Council Resolutions? Really? As if the UN can do anything these days. Might as well ask the local PTA for sanctions recommendations.

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Alayna

1 month ago

I'm pretty sure it's B) Sectoral Sanctions Identifications issued by the US Treasury Department. That's where all the juicy sanctions action happens!

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Anisha

1 month ago

A) Executive Orders issued by the US President is the correct answer. The President has the authority to designate individuals and entities as Specially Designated Nationals.

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Willodean

1 month ago

I feel like I’ve seen a question like this before, and I think the answer was A) Executive Orders. But I could be mixing it up with something else.

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Cherry

2 months ago

I’m a bit confused. I thought it was related to international agreements, which makes me lean towards D) UN Security Council Resolutions.

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Ammie

2 months ago

I remember something about the Treasury Department having a role, so maybe B) Sectoral Sanctions? It sounds familiar from practice questions.

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Alba

2 months ago

I think it might be A) Executive Orders, but I'm not entirely sure. We covered a lot about presidential powers in class.

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Oliva

2 months ago

This looks straightforward. Executive orders from the President are what direct OFAC to list non-US persons as SDNs. I'm confident that's the right answer.

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Layla

2 months ago

I'm a bit confused by the options here. I'll need to review my notes on the different types of sanctions and how they are implemented.

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Evette

2 months ago

I've seen questions like this before. I think the key is understanding the different authorities that can designate individuals and entities under sanctions programs.

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Joseph

3 months ago

Okay, let's see. I know the President can issue executive orders, and the Treasury Department handles sanctions. But I'm not sure about the other options.

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