Discussion Topic 1:

Variousorganizations within the accounting profession have a professional codeof ethics. Review your state’s code for CPAs or the AICPA standard. Arethey sufficiently detailed enough to cover all situations that youmight encounter? You also have a personal ethical code. During thisdiscussion, articulate your own code of ethics that you will use in yourchosen profession. Once this is completed, select an ethical dilemma,apply your code, and render a conclusion.

also do the response each posted down below

posted 1

Professionalstandards and conduct for CPAs are outlined in the Texas AdministrativeCode. Title 22, Part 22, Chapter 501, Subchapters A-E contain theprovisions for professional standards a CPA must adhere to along withthe CPA’s responsibilities. These responsibilities includeresponsibilities to clients, the public, and to the profession. I donot believe that any code of ethics cover all ethical issues that maycome up, but I believe Texas’ code of ethics covers most ethicalsituations. I believe the code of ethics is still valid for moderntimes. In addition to the existing code, I would consider includingstandards on cybersecurity as it relates to client data, tax returns,and other financial data.

Itis interesting that we have to have to rules of professional conduct totell us how to behave in our profession. For instance, theresponsibilities of the CPA state that a CPA should not participate infraudulent activities, should not deceive, should not act grosslynegligent, should not be dishonest, and should not threaten a clientwith bodily harm. These seem like standards CPAs would know to applyanyway, but we only need to look at my former (and first) employer(Arthur Andersen) to see that CPAs don’t always apply these standards.There was a breakdown in applying most of these standards in the ArthurAndersen/Enron case. Texas had to create these standards to protect thepublic, investors, clients, and the profession. It also gives them thegrounds to discipline a CPA who has engaged in unethical practices.

Itis important to note that ethics for CPAs has come to the forefrontwith recent cases involving CPA misdeeds. I am licensed in Mississippi(my first license) as well, and the state did not always require annualethics training to maintain a CPA license. I used to joke that wedidn’t have ethics in Mississippi as the rest of the states moved to therequirement.

Mypersonal set of ethics is based on what I learned growing up – “alwaysdo the right thing”. It was also enforced by learning the history ofArthur E. Andersen (founder of Arthur Andersen) at the St. Charlestraining facility a few weeks after I started as an employee there – hismantra was “think straight, talk straight”. I’ve also learned to notdo anything that you would be embarrassed for others to know. In thework environment, my own personal code of ethics include the following:

• I treat my colleagues with respect
• I am honest in my dealings with colleagues, my clients, the company and others
• I maintain a positive attitude and do my best to contribute positivity to my workplace
• I will not make promises (to meet deadlines for example) I cannot keep
• I will keep confidential matters private (this includes colleagues and clients) unless doing so is illegal
• I will treat people the same (fairly) regardless of race or any other reason
• I will be a team player but stand up for my own beliefs even when no one else agrees
• I will give my very best in the workplace
• I will consistently exceed the expectations of my clients as I deliver services to them

Ethicaldecisions will likely come up at some point in the workplace. Mostcompanies have created their internal code of ethics to give guidance toemployees faced with these dilemmas. As a manager at Deloitte, I wasasked to recruit tax interns at the University of Texas at Austin,Baylor and the University of Oklahoma. During that time, I served asWestern Region President of the National Association of BlackAccountants. One of my duties included presiding over two studentconferences. I also recruited for Deloitte at the conferences as wewere trying to increase the number of diversity hires.

Oneof my interviewees was the sister of a good friend and collegeclassmate of mine. I was asked to hire her which I could have done butshe did not interview well. In addition, her grades were lower than theother candidates, and she seemed clueless about Deloitte. My classmateasked me to change her grade on my interview sheet and write afavorable recommendation to hire his sister. I knew that not hiring thesister might cost me the friendship. However, applying my personalcode of ethics (honesty, fairness, wanting the very best for myworkplace) to this dilemma, the answer was clear. I did not change thesister’s grade on my interview sheet, wrote up fair and true statementsregarding the interview, and ultimately, hired someone else instead ofmy classmate’s sister. I had a difficult conversation with his sister,giving her feedback on dressing professionally for an interview;tightening up her resume; spending time researching a company;practicing answering questions that would likely be asked; and bringingup her GPA. Because I was honest, she worked on the things I mentioned,and upon graduation, she secured a position with a Fortune 500company.

Posted 2

The Texas Administrative Code includes the ethical codes forCertified Public Accountants. It can be found in Title 22, part 22,chapter 501. Chapter 501 is titled, Rules of Professional Conduct, andit consist of five subchapters. Discussed in the subchapters are generalprovisions, professional standards, responsibilities to clients,responsibilities to the public, and responsibilities to theboard/profession. In my opinion the rules are detailed enough to coverany situation and the content isn’t overwhelming.

In the work environment, I prefer to keep things simple. I make suremy daily task are always complete. If I have pending issues, I like toconduct follow-ups on a regular basis. I communicate effectively andconduct myself professionally at all times. My most important ethicalrule is to separate personal and professional relationships. I prefer tonot establish personal relationships with co-workers. To me, iteliminates conflict and any awkward situations that could arise later.

In previous positions I remember seeing people be the best of friendsone week and enemies the next. This is why I apply my rule to separatepersonal and professional relationships. This type of behavior affectsyour moral and then your work. I know sometimes this may be difficult todo. It does not mean that you can’t socialize and enjoy your co-workersbut there must be boundaries.