General Ethics for CPAs
Author: Allison McLeod
| CPE Credit: |
3 hours for CPAs |
A CPA is challenged in today’s work world to not only serve his/her client or employer but also to protect the public interest by ensuring that there is transparency in financial reporting or there is fair administration of the tax laws. In balancing the two interests, a CPA may find him or herself in an ethical dilemma. This course covers not only basic ethical frameworks, but also specific rules governing CPA practice and responsibilities. It concludes with a section on how a CPA can put his or her ethics into action.
Publication Date: May 2021
Designed For
CPAs in client practice of public accountancy who perform attest and non-attest services, employed in industry who provide internal accounting and auditing services, or employed in education or in government accounting or auditing.
Topics Covered
- What are Ethics?
- AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- Components of the Code
- Organization of Code
- Case Studies
- Integrity and Objectivity
- Conflicts of Interest
- Contingent Fees
- Responsibility to the Public, Clients, and Employers
- Competence
- Confidential Information
- Whistleblowing
Learning Objectives
- Recognize ethics of professional accounting as CPAs
- Identify the intent of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and/or specific state board rules in the performance of professional accounting services/work, not to adhere to the mere technical compliance of such rules
- Recognize how the CPA can apply ethical judgment in interpreting the rules and determining public interest
- Identify the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and their implications for persons in a variety of practices
- Describe ethics case studies and how they apply to your clients
- Identify situations where independence is being compromised
- Recognize what is included under the Due Care principle under ET § 0.300.060
- Describe violations of rules of professional conduct
- Recognize when contingent fee for services can be taken
Level
Basic
Instructional Method
Self-Study
NASBA Field of Study
Regulatory Ethics (3 hours)
Program Prerequisites
None
Advance Preparation
None
