Summary
ETHICAL ISSUES
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Extract
Signs of trouble in the profession: a look at the ethical perceptions and experiences of accounting practitioners (pre-Enron).
ABSTRACT
The Enron and MicroStratagies debacles are among the latest in a string of headlines focusing on accounting firms and individual CPAs who have "crossed the line" by engaging in unethical, or at least what is widely perceived as highly questionable and ill-advised conduct. This study presents the perceptions of accounting practitioners regarding the extent of ethical misconduct in accounting as well as the pervasiveness of selected acts of questionable behavior. Respondents have also been surveyed regarding the likelihood of serious sanctions being imposed for selected types of misconduct as well as their direct personal experience with ethical issues. (Data for this study was gathered prior to the disclosure of the events surrounding Enron.) The results provide evidence that accounting practitioners are largely comfortable with the ethical environment of the profession. Few perceive ethical misconduct as pervasive and most have a high opinion of the profession's concern about ethics. However the findings reported also provide evidence in contrast to the general sense of ethical well-being. Most of the misconducts listed in the study were perceived as occurring relatively infrequently. Yet, for many of these misbehaviors, a majority or close to a majority of the respondents had direct evidence of such behaviors occurring in practice. INTRODUCTION The reputation of the accounting profession demands a commitment to public accountability and ethical behavior as well as a sensitivity to moral issues. The conflicting roles of the professional accountant (attestor, advisor, watchdog) often create an environment in which ...See the full content of this document
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