Fundamental Principals
Ethical Issues Facing the Accounting Profession
100

A professional accountant should be straightforward and honest in all professional and business relationships.

What is Integrity?

100

Failing to to report your financial situation accurately. Temptation to fudge the numbers. 

What is Pressure to Manipulate the Figures?

200

A professional accountant should not allow bias, conflict of interest or undue influence of others to override professional or business judgments.

What is Objectivity?

200

Compromising ones judgment, decisions, or actions in the workplace. 

What is Conflicts of Interest?

300

A professional accountant should respect the  information acquired as a result of professional and business relationships and should not disclose any such information to third parties without proper and specific authority unless there is a legal or professional right or duty to disclose

What is Confidentiality?

300

Sharing knowledge of the company with a competitor, or making it possible for outsiders to steal information through negligence

What is Access to Information and Confidentiality Issues?

400

A professional accountant should act diligently and in accordance with applicable technical and professional standards when providing professional services.

What is Professional Competence and Due Care? 

400

It's the equivalent of a child choosing between outright lying to Mom or simply leaving room for her to stay happily unaware of some bad behavior. 

What is Sins of Omission?

500

A professional accountant should comply with relevant laws and regulations and should avoid any action that discredits the profession.

What is Professional Behavior?

500

The ethical dilemma accountants may face of when to report to the authorities about illegal or immoral things  happening in a company. 

What is Blowing the Whistle?