Accounting and auditing in WeiserMazars

What is the role of an accountant/auditor?A person authorized to conduct financial examination and verify an organization’s accounts and accounting records.Importance of audit systems to organizationsMinimizing cost of capitalAchieving the set objectivesObtaining a reliable financial reportPreventing misappropriation of assetsTypes of auditsInternalExternal

Introduction

Definition: a code of conduct or practice of behavior that discourages false or intentionally inaccurate accounting practices.Financial data compiled by auditors are used to make important business decisions.Eg, 1)used by gov’t to make laws 2)whether to make certain investments Auditors must follow guidelines set for professional conduct.

What is Ethics?

Classification of ethical theories:EgoismUtilitarianismDeontological ethicsCategorical imperativeVirtue ethics

Ethical Theory

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Ethical theory cont’

It is the process of justifying an action, both reasons that support and are against the action must be reviewed in detail.One way of basing the justification of the action is through asking questions (Duska,2011).Questions that can be asked are:Is the action valid?What are the consequences of the action?Is the action harmful?Who will be affected by the action?(Duska, 2011)

The Basis of Ethical Theory

Pressure from managementOmission of accounting data and recordsEffects of greed in business worldAdapted from: https://i2.wp.com/unitesiblings.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ethics-morals-law-ivf.gifAuditor as whistleblower-they face ethical dilemma of whether to submit accounting violations or not to relevant authorities.

Primary Ethical Issues and Challenges

States that everyone ought to follow his/her own self-interest.No one is obliged to pursue another person’s interest.Egoism has two variants:Descriptive(positive)NormativeEthical egoism falls under normative variant that promotes one’s self interests.

Ethical theories of Egoism

Based on a person’s ability to predict the outcomes of particular actions.To a utilitarian, an ethically correct choice is the one with most benefits to most people.Types of utilitarianism:Act utilitarianismRule utilitarianismA lot of assumptions are made.

Ethical Theories of Utilitarianism

Emphasizes that individuals must stick to their duties and obligations whenever they engage in decision making that involves ethics.Here, it involves following one’s obligation to another individual. deontologists come up with very consistent resolutions.Has several attributes and few flaws.Example:Assigning yourself to keep time always.

Deontological Ethics

What is an imperative?They command unconditionally.Eg. Don’t default on loan repayment. -even if you want to default and doing so serves your interest, you may not default.Connection between categorical imperatives and morality -morality is based on categorical imperativeThey determine the moral duties of an individual.How categorical imperative work

The Categorical Imperative

Adapted from: https://owlcation.com/humanities/Immanuel-kant-and-the-catecorical-imperative

Categorical imperative continuation…

An individual is judged based on his/her character.Factors considered when rating a person’s behavior:Person’s moralsReputationMotivationDrawback: change in a person’s moral character is not considered.

Virtue Ethics

Auditors must act responsibly and professionally whenever they offer their services.Must offer professional services by presenting accurate and truthful assessment of the firm. Characteristics of professional auditorsHigh integrityIndependence and objectivity

Conclusion

Kass, H. D. (2007, june 26). Exploring agency as a basis for ethical theory in American public administration. International Journal of Public Administration, 12(6), 949-969.Rachels, J. (2008). Ethical Egoism. In Reason & Responsibility: Readings in some Basic Problems of Philosophy, 532-540.Ronald Duska, B. S. ( March 2011). Accounting Ethics (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.Waller, B. (2005). Egoism. In Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues.

References