An Analysis of Australian Final Year Accountancy Students' Ethical Attitudes |
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Authors: | O'Leary Conor Radich Renee |
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Affiliation: | (1) School of Accountancy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia;(2) School of Economics and Financial Studies, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia |
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Abstract: | Ethical behaviour is a critical component of theaccountancy/auditing profession. This study examines ethicalattitudes of final year accountancy students in Australia.Students were surveyed as to whether they would accept a bribe todefraud a public institution (Taxation Office) or shareholders,cheat in an exam, and/or become whistleblowers in differingcircumstances. A high proportion of students appeared willing toaccept the bribe (25% Taxation Office and 20% shareholders). Thispercentage plummeted when the risk of being caught was introduced(9% Taxation Office and 6% shareholders). The difference betweenmale and female responses was significant. Males appeared fourtimes more likely than females to act unethically. 28% ofstudents appeared willing to cheat in an exam. Interestingly,the difference between male and female responses was lesssignificant. Again the risk of being caught drastically reducedthese figures (6%). Just greater than 50% of students appearedwilling to become whistleblowers for the frauds against theTaxation Office and shareholders, however, only 8% wouldwhistleblow on cheating in an examination. Finally theimplications for educators, attempting to provide effectiveethical education for trainee accountants/auditors, are considered. |
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Keywords: | accountants auditors education ethics risk whistleblowing |
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