Tough Economic Times, Current Issues, and Critical Ethical Judgments

With layoffs, closings, and restructurings dominating the news, it’s clear that our economy faces fierce headwinds. Many CPAs are being asked to make difficult judgment calls that can put their own jobs at risk – not to mention those of clients, colleagues, and employees. This course is designed to explore ethical judgments by CPAs in the context of current issues and today’s tough economic environment. What should you do if asked by the CEO to “adjust the numbers” so your company stays in compliance with bank covenants? What if a client invested in a fund that was just a giant Ponzi scheme and you recommended the fund manager? What happens if your boss asks you to cut bonus checks to employees before year-end – but you’ve never done this before and you know the company is in financial distress? This course will take you from the front lines of running a small business to the executive suite, from the accounting department to the boardroom, as you are thrust into real-life ethical dilemmas drawn from current events.

• Grasp how CPAs in real-life present situations balanced ethical judgments against other factors (jobs, income, etc.)
• Understand how tough economic conditions can challenge your ethical construct and place you in jeopardy
• Use ethical standards, rules, and other resources to guide your response to situations that are unlikely to be isolated events

Prerequisite:  Experience in financial accounting