...crisis of credibility being faced because society perceived accountants to have lost their commitment to public service. The credibility of the profession is threatened when the ideals of integrity, independence, public service and ethical standards come under suspicion. Well-known scandals of one of the major leading accounting firms in the United States Arthur Andersen coupled with alleged unethical acts committed by Enron have arouse the conscious of the public and stakeholders as to the moral decline and unethical posture of public accountants unveiled a decline in moral reasoning and ethical standards of public accountants (Dellaportas, 2006; Esmond-Kiger, 2004). Over the last few years, the accounting profession has been beaten up badly in the media, somewhat justifiably. The forces at work were numerous and complex and a variety of phenomena created the entire profession had its reputation tarnished. Some forces were not new: delivering services that acted to impair independence; becoming too cozy with clients, active participation in finding ways to circumvent accounting standards, and even simple greed. The profession has paid dearly for failing to meet the expectations of investors, creditors, and other users of financial statements. Finally, the public lose their trust and confidence on the accounting profession and thus, the professional standing of accountant is jeopardized. There are several ethical issues faced...
Words: 3627 - Pages: 15
...crystallized for the business world and particularly for the professional accountants that serve in it. The drift away from the professional accountant’s role as a fiduciary to that of a businessperson was called into question and reversed. The principles that the new expectations spawned and renewed resulted in changes in how the professional accountants are to behave, what services are to be offered, and what performance standards are to be met. These standards have been embedded in a new governance structure and in guidance mechanisms, which have domestic and international components. The influence of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) will be as important as that of SOX in the long run. This chapter examines each of these developments and provides insights into important areas of current and future practice. Building upon the understanding of the new stakeholder accountability framework facing clients and employers developed in earlier chapters, this chapter explores public expectations for the role of the professional accountant and the principles that should be observed in discharging that role. This leads to consideration of the implications for services to be offered, and of the key “value added” or competitive edge that accountants should focus their attention on to maintain their reputation and vitality. Sources of ethical governance and guidance are also introduced. Prior reading of Chapter 2 is...
Words: 62999 - Pages: 252
...Some recent highly visible business scandals and governance failures involving relatively large companies such as Enron and its auditors, Arthur Andersen have given rise to concerns about accountants’ ethical reasoning. The research is based on the premise that accountants have a weak ethical reasoning in light of these scandals. The purpose of the research is to explore, using hypothesis, whether selection-socialization exists in accounting firms and its effect on accountant’s level of ethical reasoning. The research also investigates whether the selection of women has resulted in ethical reasoning that is similar to that of their male counterparts. This is important given the large number of women that have entered the accounting profession over the past few years. Based on the results reported in the cognitive and ethical reasoning literature the research explores two hypotheses as follows: 1. There is no significant difference between the P-scores of male and female staff accountants. 2. The dominant cognitive style among staff accountants is ST. The study employs the Myers/Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a well-known measure for assessing cognitive styles and the Defining Issues Test (DIT) for assessing ethical reasoning of newly recruited auditors from Big-Five firms. Based on MBTI adapted from Fisher and Ott and descriptions of the cognitive styles, the authors deduce a third hypothesis that order for P-scores is SF, ST, NF and NT (lowest to highest). ...
Words: 1028 - Pages: 5
...Jacqueline Murphy AC504 Unit 2 Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy is commonly referred to in the English community as Leo Tolstoy was a Russian novelist, a social reformer, a pacifist, a Christian anarchist, and a moral thinker (Contributors, 2008). He was born on September 9, 1828 on his family’s estate in the Tula Province of Russia. He is the youngest of four boys. His mother Princess Volkonskaya, died in 1830 when he was very young. His father County Nikolay Tolstoy died seven years after his mothers’ death. After his fathers’ death his aunt was appointed legal guardian of him and his siblings (Leo Tolstoy, 2013). Tolstoy is broadly considered as one of the utmost of all novelists. He is particularly well-known for his works of War and Peace and Anna Karenina. In those writings he showed that he had insight into human motives. Tolstoy found the pacifist doctrine of nonresistance in the Christian Gospels. He rejected all forms of coercion from both the government and the church. He suffered a spiritual crisis and grew depressed. He struggled to uncover the meaning of life, he came to believe that Christian churches were corrupt and, in lieu of organized religion, developed his own beliefs (Contributors, 2008). Tolstoy should be recognized as a crusader for social justice. He was a constant thorn in the side of the Russian Orthodox Church, the czarist government, and local authorities. His work was banned in the Soviet Union because of his resistance to violence and...
Words: 1543 - Pages: 7
...following case studies were developed by the UK and Ireland’s Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB). They illustrate how the ethical codes of the CCAB bodies can be applied by professional accountants working in public practice. These scenarios are not intended to cover every possible circumstance, but instead to outline key principles and processes that could be considered when attempting to identify, assess and resolve ethical problems in line with the ethical codes. These case studies were published in November 2011. The CCAB welcomes comments on these cases. Please email admin@ccab.org.uk. The professional accountant in public practice All members (and registered students) of CCAB bodies have a responsibility to behave professionally and ethically at all times. In addition, a professional accountant who is a principal or a senior employee within a practice will have a particularly important role to play in creating, promoting and maintaining an ethical culture within the practice and, possibly, among the clients of the practice. You may be approached by others within the practice who wish to report unethical behaviour and, as a senior figure, you will have an impact on its ethical tone. If you are made aware of unethical practices among clients, it may be more difficult to determine your responsibilities. But an accountant in public practice carries a great deal of responsibility, and may be subject to scrutiny by the staff of the practice, clients and...
Words: 434 - Pages: 2
...Ethics Case One ethical lesson from this article, is when something is wrong, one should speak up and let their voice about the issue be heard. A second lesson from this case is that a lot of times middle management does not report all of the facts to top management in order for critical decisions to be made. Finally, a third ethical lesson from this case is to tell the truth about effects of decisions or information being presented, so that way it is true and unbiased. All three of the above listed lessons are relevant to someone who decides to enter into the accounting profession. This is because as accounts, one of our duties is to provide accurate and timely information in order for decisions by investors, creditors, and internal managers to be made. Most all of the ethical lessons that were discussed in the case were based on misleading information, or information that was inaccurate when trying to make a final decision. The decisions discussed in the case were not made in order to help make decisions; rather top managers were trying to save themselves and their reputations. The first ethical lesson pulled from the case was that when there is information that is misrepresented or wrongly described, one should not hesitate to speak up. Whether you are looking over information from peers on your own level or information from top-level management or anyone higher in a company than you, one should be able to speak up to misrepresented information. As someone going...
Words: 915 - Pages: 4
...difficult decisions have to be made every day. While accountants follow a simple code of conduct; nevertheless, due to the infamous scandal of Enron, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was constructed to reestablish confidence in the public marketplace. The importance of ethics and integrity are highly significant to individuals in this profession. In fact, ethical behavior in accounting is described as “societies accepted standards of moral behavior that is behaviors as right rather than wrong” (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2013, p. 91). Therefore, accounting as a whole plays a significant role in society and business. At one time, society considered professional accountants to have the highest standard in ethical and moral conduct. While maintaining accurate and truthful statements is an essential part of financial reporting; therefore, as a society as a whole it is essential that a professional accountant fully understand the importance of ethical values. One unquestionably problematic misconception is that ethics consist of moral situations rather than integrity and honesty. Integrity is an essential element of ethical values and can be seen as being honest and truthful. In the functioning of any professional service, an accountant shall maintain objectivity and integrity so; society and businesses depend on receiving accurate information so smart business decisions can be made (ET SEC. 102, 2006). Accountants...
Words: 1065 - Pages: 5
...Reporting Practices and Ethics Megan HCS/405 30 June, 2014 Reporting Practices and Ethics The accounting staff is a very large part of the healthcare industry. Accounting staff code and bill products and different services that are offered at that location and maintaining an ethical culture is imperative. There are accounting principles and standards and procedures that are part of the General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The GAAP principles have four key elements: Planning, Controlling, Organizing and Directing and Decision Making. Ethical Components and GAAP Accounting is the backbone of any medical organization because of it enormous impact on running as a cost effective organization. Every organization runs on its own set of principles and goals, but most are certainly guided by different federal, state, and government laws. There are accounting principles and standards and procedures that are part of the General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The GAAP principles have four key elements: Planning, Controlling, Organizing and Directing and Decision Making. The GAAP principle of Planning includes ways of setting goals and guidelines for the future of the organization. The principle of Controlling involves ensuring that planned goals are on track with previous goals and also that there is room to fix any issues that may arise. Organization and directing is to make sure that the organizations full potential is being provided...
Words: 806 - Pages: 4
...REPORTING PRACTICES AND ETHICS PAPER HCS/405 June 2, 2014 Reporting Practices and Ethics Paper In today’s healthcare financial plans it is important to have good financial management. If the financial planning is not done properly then the company will not be able to function efficiently. The accounting records are kept up to date in regards to the guidelines in order to make sure the accounting records are accurate. By doing this, this helps keep track of how a company is doing to make sure that they are aware of where their money is going. This will show whether it is a profit or a loss. This allows the company to change things around so that they are not losing money within the company. Four Elements of Financial Management The accounting department plays a critical role within the medical office. The accounting department is the backbone of the organization and is what allows the organization to operate at its fullest potential. If the accounting department did not exist, it would make the office impossible for any type of company to operate efficiently. There are four elements of financial management which include the following; Planning, Controlling, Organizing and directing and Decision Making. The planning element sets goals and guidelines in order to allow the organization to ensure the future success and accomplishments of the medical office. The controlling is what ensures that all areas within the organization are following the...
Words: 805 - Pages: 4
...Yekaterina Romanovich American Intercontinental University Unit 1 Individual Project Acct 310- Managerial Accounting February 17, 2013 The importance of a managing accountant to document and understand current spending as well as the cash flow. Reading future money patterns to know where and when to spend while still making money for the company. Using accounting information for managers within organizations, to provide them with the basis to make informed business decisions that will allow them to be better equipped in their management and control functions. The knowledge to look forward and correct predict cash flow. Managing accountants aid companies in direct monitoring as well as measuring the efficiency of their accounting operations. While also focusing on limiting abuse or fraud by employees, managing accountants provide owners and managers with equitable assurance that the company’s financials are in order and there is room for profitable growth in the future. While managers plan the fiscal expenditures for a company, they need to acknowledge current expenses and limit said monies to remunerate back into the company. (Shanker, 2013) Owners and managers can use internal controls to limit the number of individuals who have access to the company’s accounting information. In doing so, they limit the opportunity for abuse of the sensitive information. Although both managerial accounting and financial accounting are crucial to a company’s success, managerial...
Words: 700 - Pages: 3
...These principles are “responsibilities, the public interest, integrity, objectivity and independence, due care, and scope and nature services” (Mintz & Morris, 2011). Each of these principles are used as a guide for the accountants performance of professional responsibilities and the commitment to uphold the publics trust even at the expense of personal benefits. This code of conduct is considered to be the foundation of ethical reasoning in the accounting field because it touches on all aspects of the accounting profession. It also protects all the parties that are involved, the accountant, investors, the public, and creditors. I believe that the three most important purposes of the AICPA is to protect the client, the public, and the accountant. I would say that the most important purposes of the AICPA because the client, the public, and the accountant are the individual parties that make a company succeed or fail. Protecting these individuals is accomplished by following the AICPA principles in all situations. The three main principles that do this are responsibilities, the public interest, and integrity. Accountants have responsibilities to anyone who employs their accounting services. They also have the “responsibility to cooperate with other accountants to improve the art of accounting and to maintain the public’s confidence” (Mintz & Morris, 2011). The second principle, the public interest, effects the public in a couple of ways. For example, the members of the AICPA...
Words: 448 - Pages: 2
...ETHICAL ISSUES Ethical issues is deem to give implication on the nature and role of accounting. Thus, to ensure that accounting stated roles can be perform successfully, accountants, as professionals, are expected to maintain a level of ethical conduct that goes beyond society’s laws. They have the responsibility to ensure that their duties are performed in conformity with the ethical values of honesty, integrity, objectivity, due care, confidentiality, and the commitment to the public interest. Luca Pacioli, the "Father of Accounting", wrote on accounting ethics in his first book Summa de arithmetica, geometria, proportioni, et proportionalita, published in 1494. Ethical standards have since then been developed through government groups, professional organizations, and independent companies. These various groups have led accountants to follow several codes of ethics to perform their duties in a professional work environment. However, accountants’ involvement with large corporate scandals in recent times reflects that they have not complied with the expected ethical standards. Thus, ethics has become a key area of concern in accounting at present owing to the series of corporate scandals that had taken place in the world questioning the credibility of the accounting profession. These scandals have placed in doubt the effectiveness of contemporary accounting, auditing and corporate governance practices, for which accounting profession is responsible for. Unethical...
Words: 1331 - Pages: 6
...Financial Reporting The strategic accountant - best show business leadership Public practice: Firm of the future Briefly explain why you think that SMEs do not extensively rely on their external accountants for business advisory services. discuss at least four types of relationships and possible conflicts an accountant faces in performing the above roles How soft skills can boost your career Former Harris Scarfe officer jailed The Ford Pinto Nestle Milk Powder Exxon Oil Company Jacinta faces distress in the office what circumstances apply professional judgement Module 2 Accoutants,ethical issues and the corporate governance context apply the code's conceptual framework approach to explain threat to independence Arthur Andersen and auditor independence accountant no experience,what he should do to perform audit The cautionary tale of Jose L.Gomez contact or obtain professional clearance prior to accepting the appointment? fundraising for a charity,sole tax purposes,voilation of ethic? marketing professional services Explain why integrity is an essential attribute of the profession quality control, merger,not yet completed a review kitchen-tabling-Keith Purcell's earnestness Utilitarianism Does employer have a right to inquire your personal life-rights theory Cheating-the pressure on Pasquale Vialletta to succeed which stage of Kohlberg's of CMD best describes the decisionmaking behaviour of the general community of accountants? Six cures for current ethical breakdowns how to prevent bullying...
Words: 1269 - Pages: 6
...interest aside and be ethical throughout your career for the companies’ sake and our own. The second thing that I have learned from this article is to learn from the past and make corrections to any errors that might have encountered in the process. The third lesson that I have learned from this article is to speak up and let your opinion be heard. Based on the situation that he encountered in the article it is always best to speak up when you see a problem arise rather than just ignore the problem to satisfy other people. 2. These situations are relevant to someone entering the accounting profession in many ways. In the world of business it is all about numbers. Someone can easily manipulate those numbers to make their business look successful when in reality it really isn’t successful for their own sake or the companies. Errors can be easily made while doing financial statements for a business and admitting as a person that you made a mistake can be difficult for a person. Accounting is a profession that is very dependent by investors that are looking to increase their wealth by investing in successful companies and if the information in the financial statements is misleading it can cause investors to lose a lot of their money if the company is not doing well and the company is hiding information to show that the company is doing good. 3. Has I stated in my previous statement one of the things that can make an accountant really test his ethical behavior is when he asked...
Words: 417 - Pages: 2
...Introduction The usefulness of accounting theory is evident at various levels within the accounting profession and society in general including, standard setters, accounting professionals and users of accounting information. This essay will address two key areas, firstly, a personal reflection on this course and why studying theory is essential for practicing accountants. The second part is a critical evaluation of the conceptual framework and why it is an essential part of accounting literature. Areas evaluated include the purpose and benefits of a conceptual framework, a brief history of it in Australia, principle based versus rules based standards and some criticisms of it are discussed. Personal reflection I must admit, when scrolling through the list of courses I have left to complete my degree Accounting Theory did not jump out as one I was eager to enrol in. This is in no small part due to my lack of appreciation of how knowledge of the development of theory can give context and power to understanding changes. Whereas before I was more about practice and ‘getting it done’, it has become apparent that theory generally is an intrinsic element in advancing our understanding of our environment, culminating in improvements in practice. It is not a means of simply explaining or predicting behaviour, nor is it there only to serve as a framework for further inquiry (although these are important benefits of theory). Theory has a much more significant and elegant role to...
Words: 3910 - Pages: 16
