Beyond bean counting: Establishing high ethical standards in the public accounting profession

Business professions are increasingly faced with the question of how to best monitor the ethical behavior of their members. Conflicts could exist between a profession's desire to self-regulate and its accountability to the public at large. This study examines how members of one profession, public accounting, evaluate the relative effectiveness of various self-regulatory and externally imposed mechanisms for promoting a climate of high ethical behavior. Specifically, the roles of independent public accountants, regulatory and rule setting agencies, and undergraduate accounting education are investigated. Of 461 possible respondents, 230 questionnaires (a 49.6% response rate) indicated that the profession's own rule setting body (The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and the use of peer review were perceived as the most effective mechanisms, while government regulation was ranked least. Respondents also evaluated the extent to which ethics should be covered in the accounting curriculum. For every course, the CPAs believed a greater emphasis on ethics is appropriate than presently exists. Suggestions for more effectively integrating ethics into accounting courses are made. Finally, respondents were also asked whether in answering the questionnaire they used a definition of ethics as either the Professional Code of Conduct or a moral and philosphical framework for guiding beliefs. Those who viewed ethics as abiding by a professional code had more confidence in the mechanisms addressed in this study to aid the public accounting profession's ability to ensure high ethical standards of conduct. Methodological implications of this distinction for future studies in business ethics are discussed. Jeffrey R. Cohen is Assistant Professor of Accounting at Boston College. He received his Ph.D. from The University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is a C.M.A. and a Peat Marwick Research Fellow. His articles have appeared in the Journal of Accounting Research, Decision Sciences and The Organizational Behavior Teaching Review. His work on Ethics has appeared in Issues in Accounting Education, Management Accounting, and The CPA Journal. Laurie W. Pant is Assistant Professor of Accounting at Boston College. She holds an M.B.A. and a D.B.A. from Boston University and an M.Ed. from Emory University. She serves on the editorial board of Issues in Accounting Education. Her articles on Ethics have appeared in Issues in Accounting Education, Management Accounting and The Organizational Behavior Teaching Review.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 1989 American Accounting Association National Meeting.     

论国际会计协调

各国社会、政治及经济等环境的差别,决定了彼此不尽相同的会计实务与报表实务惯例.但是,随着国际经济的发展,尤其是跨国公司的迅速成长,客观上要求会计成为国际商业语言,为国际经济投资决策提供可比较的财务信息.     

An ethical analysis of deception in advertising

This paper examines several issues regarding deception in advertising. Some generally accepted definitions are considered and found to be inadequate. An alternative definition is proposed for legal/regulatory purposes and is related to a suggested definition of the term deception as it is used in everyday language. Based upon these definitions, suggestions are offered for detecting and regulating deception in advertising. This paper additionally considers the grounds for the generally held but largely unquestioned assumption that deceptive advertising is unethical. It is argued that deceptive advertising can be shown to be morally objectionable, on the weak assumption that it is prima facie wrong to harm others. Finally, the implications of this analysis with respect to current regulation of deceptive advertising by the FTC are considered. Thomas L. Carson is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He was previously Lecturer at the University of California at Los Angeles and was holder of an NEH Fellowship for College Teachers. His most important publication is The Status of Morality, Reidel, Dordrecht, 1984. Forthcoming (in Philosophy and Public Affairs) is: Bribery, Extortion, and The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.Richard E. Wokutch is Associate Professor of Management at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where he teaches in the social issues and policy areas. He previously held positions as Visiting Assistant Research Professor at the Values Center, University of Delaware, and as Visiting Fulbright Research Fellow, Science Center, Berlin, West Germany. He has published several recent articles in the areas of bluffing and deception in business and ethical/social investing. James E. Cox, Jr., is Assistant Professor of Management and Marketing at Illinois State University. Formerly, he was at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (from September 1979 until August 1983). He was a fellow at the 1979 American Marketing Association Ph. D. Consortium and his research has been published in the Journal of Forecasting, the Journal of Marketing Education, the Proceedings of the American Marketing Association, and the Proceedings of the National Council of Physical Distribution Management. He is also co-author of the book Sales Forecasting Methods: A Survey of Recent Developments.     

论《国际经济学》课程在国际贸易专业中的再定位

国际经济学是国际贸易专业的核心课程,但其在国际贸易专业教学实践中存在定位不清的问题,笔者从教学目的、教学内容和教材三方面说明了这一问题,并指出其原因,最后给出了相应的对策建议.     

论高校非会计专业的会计教学改革

本文结合教学实践,研究探讨了非会计专业的会计教学目标、课程设置、教学方法及手段等方面工作的改进与优化.     

An applied ethical analysis system in business

Much of the discussion on business ethics is philosophical in nature. There is no lack of theories and ideals on moral reasoning. What is missing is translating these moral theories and principles into specific, operational procedures that can indicate a proper course of action. Although most business actions are routine and do not raise serious ethical questions, many people experience difficulty in applying their personal moral principles to specific business decisions in ethically-dilemmatic situations.This study seeks to develop a framework that can be utilized to implement personal moral reasoning based on the teleological theory of Utilitarianism and the deontological theory of Ross's Prima Facie Duties in the business decision-making process. The central feature in the framework is a point-system that quantities the ethical worth of a proposed business action and determines whether the action would be ethically desirable if taken. It provides an objective element in an otherwise qualitative ethical inquiry process. This study also illustrates practical applications of the system by analyzing the ethical implications of a proposed action where foreign bribery is involved.Alan Wong is Assistant Professor of Finance, Indiana University Southeast. His areas of academic research are managerial ethics and financial options. He has published in theReview of Business and Economic Research.Eugene Beckman is the Director of the MBA Program at Indiana University Southeast. He was awarded the Faculty Excellence Award in 1989 and his primary areas of research are business ethics and marketing.     

商誉会计处理方法的国际比较

本文阐述了商誉会计理论的现有模式,对商誉会计处理方法进行了国际比较,并对各国倾向于采用购买法确认与计量商誉、采用减损测试对其进行日后处理进行了原因分析.     

Gender differences in determining the ethical sensitivity of future accounting professionals

This paper explores possible connections between gender and the willingness to tolerate unethical academic behavior. Data from a sample of 285 accounting majors at four public institutions reveal that females are less tolerant than males when questioned about academic misconduct. Statistically significant differences were found for 17 of 23 questionable activities. Furthermore, females were found to be less cynical and less often involved in academic dishonesty. Overall, the results support the finding of Betz et al. (1989) that the gender socialization approach dominates the structural approach. Elsie Coker Ameen is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Business at Coker College. Professor Ameen has published articles in The Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory, Review of Financial Economics, and other journals. Daryl M. Guffey is an assistant professor at East Carolina University. He joined the faculty at East Carolina University in 1995. Dr. Guffey has published several articles in such journals as The Financial Review, Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, Review of Financial Economics, Quarterly Journal of Business and Economics, and The Accounting Educators' Journal. Professor Guffey's research has been supported by a grant from the Ernst & Young Foundation. Jeffrey J. McMillan, Jr. is an associate professor of accounting at Clemson University. He joined the faculty of Clemson University in 1990. Dr. McMillan has published articles in such journals as The Accounting Review, Advances in Accounting, Issues in Accounting Education, and The CPA Journal.     

Organizational influences on individual ethical behavior in public accounting

A framework is presented for studying ethical conduct in public accounting practice. Four levels of analysis are distinguished: individual, local office, multi-office firm and professional institute. Several propositions are derived from the framework and discussed: (1) The effects of ethical vs. unethical behavior on an accountant's prospects for advancement are asymmetrical in nature; (2) the way individuals perceive or frame the decision problem at hand will make an ethical response more or less likely; (3) the economic incentives present in competitive markets influence the work goals of firms and offices, and lead to ethical dilemmas for individuals; and (4) initiatives at the firm or institute level aimed at compliance with professional ethical standards will by themselves have little effect on individual ethical behavior. Research into ethical behavior of practitioners will capture self-conscious and biased responses unless it is designed so as to permit indirect observation and recording of spontaneous comments. To assure valid research findings, practitioners should be interviewed and their motives assessed indirectly. A longitudinal approach is recommended, beginning with students who are choosing an accounting career. Two types of questions for use in these interviews are described.Paul J. Schlachter is an assistant professor in the School of Accounting, Florida International University. As a certified management accountant (CMA), he studies ethical dilemmas in both corporate and public accounting, in south Florida and in Latin America.     

Personal religiousness and ethical judgements: An empirical analysis

It has been acknowledged on numerous occasions that personal religiousness is a potential source of ethical norms, and consequently, an influence in ethical evaluations. An extensive literature review provides little in the way of empirical investigation of this recognized affect. This investigation conceptualizes religiousness as a motivation for ethical action, and discovers significant differences in ethical judgements among respondents categorized by personal religious motivation. Suggestions as to the source of these differences, and the implications which they offer to managers are discussed and supported from the literature.James W. Clark is the Director of the Center for Retailing and assistant professor of marketing at James Madison University. His work has been published in The Journal of Advertising, and the proceedings of The Cutting Edge III and IV, the Southern Marketing Association, The Academy of Marketing Science, and The Decision Sciences Institute. Lyndon E. Dawson, Jr. is professor of marketing at Louisiana Tech University. His work has been published in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, the Journal of Retailing, Psychology and Marketing, and Psychological Reports among others.     

网络技术环境下企业会计安全探析

伴随网络技术的迅猛发展,会计发展的趋势必然是朝着网络会计信息系统的方向发展.网络会计信息系统将改变财务信息的获取与利用方式.网络会计信息系统在给人们带来方便快捷的信息服务的同时,也带来了诸多安全隐患.因此,本文针对网络环境下企业如何加强会计内部控制及相应对策进行了探讨.     

Ethical codes of conduct: Deficient in guidance for the Canadian accounting profession

Current trends toward increased pace, more complex substance and lower tolerance of error have caused the financial marketplace to rely more heavily on the integrity of financial data and, therefore, of those who prepare the financial statements. At the same time, these trends place higher challenges before professional accountants and it is essential that they have excellent ethical guidance to live up to modern expectations. However, in view of the current codes of conduct, an accountant may not have a clear understanding of what priority of interests to satisfy, who can be consulted for advice, to whom to report misdeeds, what protection is offered a right-doer and what sanction will be forthcoming for doing wrong. Possible solutions are offered to these problems in ways that ought to strengthen the accounting profession and prevent unscrupulous companies from taking advantage of both members of the profession and the unsuspecting public. To provide the appropriate quality of service to society in the future, the Canadian accounting profession should offer its members the improved guidance and enhanced mechanisms for confidential consultation, assistance and protection outlined herein. Leonard J. Brooks is a Professor of Accounting at the Faculty of Management of the University of Toronto. He is the author of Canadian Corporate Social Performance, published by the Society of Management Accountants of Canada (1986); editor of the Corporate Ethics Monitor, and Vice-Chairman of the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Corporate Policy.     

网络技术环境下企业会计安全探析

伴随网络技术的迅猛发展,会计发展的趋势必然是朝着网络会计信息系统的方向发展.网络会计信息系统将改变财务信息的获取与利用方式.网络会计信息系统在给人们带来方便快捷的信息服务的同时,也带来了诸多安全隐患.因此,本文针对网络环境下企业如何加强会计内部控制及相应对策进行了探讨.     

浅谈企业环境成本的核算与管理

文章在分析国内外研究成果的基础上,以企业环境成本的核算与控制为切入点,详细探讨了环境成本的含义、特点与作用,初步研究了环境成本核算体系,提出了以绿色供应链为基础的控制方法.     

关于约束会计与传统会计的比较分析

会计行业随着经济发展而不断改变,为了更加适应当前的经济模式,针对传统会计的改革改变越来越明显,随着约束会计这一先进理论的推出,对传统会计的影响将会非常巨大,本文将从科学角度入手,针对约束会计与传统会计进行比较和分析.     

关于约束会计与传统会计的比较分析

会计行业随着经济发展而不断改变,为了更加适应当前的经济模式,针对传统会计的改革改变越来越明显,随着约束会计这一先进理论的推出,对传统会计的影响将会非常巨大,本文将从科学角度入手,针对约束会计与传统会计进行比较和分析.     

Testing the bases of ethical decision-making: a study of the New Zealand auditing profession

This paper reports on a survey of auditors in New Zealand which investigates the nature of the moral judgements they make on a series of problems with ethical dimensions. The framework adopted for this purpose is developed from earlier work which identifies a range of ethical principles which may be involved in business ethical decision-making. Auditors responded to a questionnaire which posed, firstly, several questions about the context of their ethical decision-making, and secondly, a series of vignettes elaborating problematical dilemmas which required the selection of one of four possible responses. Data was analysed to determine whether or not it confirmed previous findings in suggesting a predominant ethical orientation for auditors. The results were correlated with demographic variables in order to determine whether or not age, gender, position in firm and size of employee firm were significantly correlated to ethical response. The survey results, on the whole, confirmed the ethical orientation suggested by previous findings, but there were some unexpected results in three out of the ten vignettes examined. Although some correlations were found between the demographic variables and subject responses, the evidence of this survey does not strongly suggest a consistent significant correlation.     

黑龙江省投资环境评析

近几年来,我国在利用外资方面一直处于发展中国家的首位,利用外资金额逐年增长,发展势头良好。黑龙江省作为中国最北的资源型老工业基地,虽然在利用外资上也呈现着良好的发展态势,但和全国其他地方尤其是先进省份相比仍有很大差距。本文对黑龙江省投资环境进行了研究,在找出它不足的同时,也提出了相应改善黑龙江省投资环境,促进黑龙江省经济发展的对策建议。     

影响国际市场价格的因素分析

众所周知,国际市场价格会因多方面因素的影响而出现波动,我们分析国际市场价格的运动形态及规律.就要知晓有哪些因素可能招致国际市场价格的变化.在这里.概括性地论述几种常见的因素,以便供大家参考与探讨.     

Attitudes of students and accounting practitioners concerning the ethical acceptability of earnings management

There are many ways that accountants and managers can influence the reported accounting results of their organizational units. When such influence is directed at changing the amount of reported earnings, it is known as earnings management. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of surveys of undergraduate students, MBA students, and practicing accountants concerning their attitudes on the ethical acceptability of earnings management. Analysis of the survey results reveals how the attitudes of the three groups differ and what variables are associated with these differences. Based on the analysis, the authors suggest changes in accounting education curriculum and ethics awareness programs in business which might increase students' and practitioners' sensitivity to the ethical ramifications of earnings management.Marilyn Fischer, is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. She specializes in workplace ethics, particularly in the nonprofit sector, and has published articles in business ethics, and social and political philosophy.Kenneth Rosenzweig, is Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. He specializes in teaching management accounting, and has published articles in a wide variety of accounting areas.