| Course Title: | Professional Ethics for Accountants |
|---|---|
| Course Number: | ACCT439 |
| Course Description: | This course provides a framework for decision making in the accounting profession. Core values such as ethical reasoning, integrity, objectivity and independence, social responsibility, legal and regulatory requirements, and professional codes of conduct are explored. State, national, and international ethics and legal developments are examined. General principles are applied using case studies from the accounting profession. |
| Course Prerequisites: | Prerequisite: ACCT312 |
Syllabus
Course Information
Course Specific Requirements
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Textbooks and Resources
Required Textbooks
The following books are required for this course:
Business & Professional ETHICS for Directors, Executives & Accountants
7th Edition
by Leonard J. Brooks & Paul Dunn
2015 South-Western
APA citation
E-book Details
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Campus Additional Information
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Terminal Course Objectives
DeVry University course content is constructed from curriculum guides developed for each course that are in alignment with specific Terminal Course Objectives. The Terminal Course Objectives (TCOs) define the learning objectives that the student will be required to comprehend and demonstrate by course completion. The TCOs that will be covered in detail each week can be found in the Objectives section for that particular week. Whenever possible, a reference will be made from a particular assignment or discussion back to the TCO that it emphasizes.
1
Given the increasing complexity of business and professional ethical problems, explain the forces responsible for the changes in the public’s expectations for corporate ethical behavior, as well as the public’s expectations of accountants who audit those corporations.
2
Given the regulatory changes after recent company failures, evaluate corporate governance and control, as well as ethical trends and developments that have arisen in response to those changes.
3
Given the need to ensure that an effective ethical culture prevails in a company, evaluate the need for and the process of developing a code of conduct to create an awareness of appropriate behavior.
4
Given the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, State boards of accountancy rules of ethics, and the international influence through organizations such as the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), discuss the influence of the professional codes of conduct and standards on the accountant’s judgment, values and character traits to include competence, objectivity, integrity, confidentiality, independence, and discipline.
5
Given the monopoly on independent auditing granted to the Certified Public Accountant, consider the importance of independence, integrity and objectivity to an investor or creditor in the provision of attestation and other services.
6
Given various philosophical and practical approaches to making ethical decisions, apply, compare, and contrast ethical decision making frameworks including how accountants should approach decisions that lead to an optimal outcome.
7
Given the risks to accountants and auditors from the financial reports and disclosure, discuss trends in the legal liability of accountants and auditors and legal defenses available.
8
Given the potential significance of ethics on the organization and the tendency of management and accountants to focus on the technical dimensions of a problem, apply approaches to assist the professional in identifying ethical risk and opportunity.
9
Given that moral reasoning is never perfected in any individual, identify major ethical pitfalls and shortfalls in moral reasoning for accountants and other business professionals and develop strategies to manage the ethical dimensions of business decisions.
Lab Schedule
Week 1
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 2
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 3
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 4
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 5
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 6
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 7
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 8
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Course Schedule
| Week, TCOs, and Topics | Readings and Class Preparation | Activities and Assignments |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 TCO 1 Ethics Environment & Expectations | Chapter 1: Ethics Expectations The Whistle-blower: Patriot or Bounty Hunter?, pg. 55 | Case Study: Martha Stewart’s Lost Reputation, pg. 36 Case Study: Texaco: The Ecuador Issue, pg. 47 Case Study: "Where were the Accountants. 53 Graded Discussion Topics |
| Week 2 TCOs 1 and 2 Corporate Governance & Governance Reform | Chapter 2: Ethics and Governance Scandals | Case Study: Arthur Andersen’s Troubles, pg. 98 Case Study: WorldCom: The Final Catalyst, pg. 106 Graded Discussion Topics |
| Week 3 TCO 6 Ethical Behavior and Major Ethical Theories | Chapter 3: Ethical Behavior – Philosophers’ Contributions | Case Study: Insurance and Genetically Inherited Disease, pg. 157 Graded Discussion Topics |
| Week 4 TCOs 6 and 9 Practical Ethical Decision Making | Chapter 4: Practical Ethical Decision Making | Case Study: Tylenol Recalls(2010): it's still about reputation, pg.205 Graded Discussion Topics |
| Week 5 TCOs 3 and 4 Corporate Culture & Codes of Conduct | Chapter 5: Corporate Ethical Governance & Accountability Appendix A: Agency Theory & Stewardship Theory (see Table 5.24, pg. 346) | Case Study: Loyalty, But to Whom?, pg. 322 Case Study: Bankers Trust: Learning From Derivatives, pg. 324 Graded Discussion Topics |
| Week 6 TCOs 4, 5, and 7 Professional Accounting: Legal and Ethical Codes | Chapter 6: Professional Accounting in the Public Interest, Post-Enron | Case Study: Locker Room Talk, pg. 421 Case Study: Opinion Shopping, pg. 441 Case Study: Tax Return Complications, pg. 447 Graded Discussion Topics |
| Week 7 TCOs 3 and 8 Managing Ethical Risks & Opportunities | Chapter 7: Managing Ethics Risks & Opportunities, pg. 459 Appendix B: Ethics Audit Program Annual Audit Questions, pg. 549 | You Decide #1 You Decide #2 Graded Discussion Topics |
| Week 8 All TCOs | Final Exam | |
Blended E-Learning
This course is an 8-week, intensive course that includes both classroom-based and e-learning activities. Your participation in both areas is essential to your success in this course. You should expect to spend time each week participating in the prescribed activities both before and after our class meeting.
Participation before, during, and after class meetings is critical to your success in this intensive environment.
To get the most out of our weekly class meetings, it is essential that you come to class prepared. The weekly readings listed in the Course Schedule will prepare you for class. Our class meetings, in turn, will prepare you for upcoming exams and assignments.
Through the DeVry e-learning platform, you will be able to
- review the Syllabus and weekly assignment information;
- submit completed work for grading;
- take quizzes and exams;
- obtain copies of class handouts and notes;
- e-mail the instructor and other students; and
- participate in online discussion of class material.
iConnect Live
This course contains iConnect Live sessions that provide students with the opportunity to attend live presentations, which cover course materials, projects, and assignments. Please see the iConnect Live items for the days and times of the live sessions and for the link to enter each session. You will also receive e-mail reminders each week.
If you are unable to attend the live session, you can watch the recorded session by clicking on the Recordings link that will appear in the iConnect Live item after the lecture has concluded. Please contact your instructor with any questions.
Please note that because of unavoidable technological issues and presenter availability, the live lectures may be substituted with prerecorded lectures.
Due Dates for Assignments & Exams
Unless otherwise specified, the following applies.
- Access to most weeks begins on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. mountain time (MT).
- All assignments are to be submitted on or before Sunday at the end of the specified week that they are due, by 11:59 p.m. (MT).
- All quizzes and exams are to be completed on or before Sunday at the end of the specified week that they open, by 11:59 p.m. (MT).
Week 8 opens at 12:01 a.m. (MT) on the ending Sunday of Week 7. Any assignments or exams must be completed by 11:59 p.m. (MT) Saturday of the eighth week.
Due Dates for Assignments & Exams
All assignments, quizzes, and exams are to be completed per the schedule indicated by your instructor.
Assignment Values and Letter Grades
The maximum score in this class is 1,000 points. The categories, which contribute to your final grade, are weighted as follows.
| Assignment | Points | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Discussions (30 points, Weeks 1–7) | 210 | 21% |
Case Studies
| 420 | 42% |
| You Decide (Week 7: 2 @ 60 pts. each) | 120 | 12% |
| Final Exam | 250 | 25% |
| Total Points | 1,000 | 100% |
All of your course requirements are graded using points. At the end of the course, the points are converted to a letter grade using the scale in the table below.
Final grades are based on the percentage equivalent in the chart below and are not rounded to the next higher letter grade.
| Letter Grade | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A | 900–1,000 | 90% to 100% |
| B | 800–899 | 80% to 89.9% |
| C | 700–799 | 70% to 79.9% |
| D | 600–699 | 60% to 69.9% |
| F | 599 and below | Below 60% |
DeVry Graduate Academic Policy and Relevant Resources
DeVry Undergraduate Academic Policy and Relevant Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
When are grades calculated, and how can I view my grades?
- You must complete any quizzes and post your written assignments (if necessary) to the weekly Dropbox by Sunday 11:59 p.m. (MT) each week, except Week 8 which closes at 11:59 p.m. (MT) Saturday.
- Once your work is reviewed, you should see comments and total points for each assignment in the Gradebook. Instructors should have Discussion work graded by the following Tuesday and all other assignments by the following Friday.
- You may check your progress at any time by going to the Gradebook, selecting the week and then your name.
- Click on the points earned for each assignment in the Gradebook to see any instructor comments.
What should I do if a discrepancy is found with my grade?
- Double-check the error and try to determine what caused it.
- Send your instructor an email explaining your findings.
- Trust that any error in grading will be corrected quickly
What if I cannot get my work submitted on time?
- If you have an emergency that will cause your work to be late, please contact your instructor in advance of the due date so that arrangements can be made. Your instructor may reserve the right to deduct points for work turned in late based on the reason and the timeliness of notice.
- If a technical problem prevents you from meeting the scheduled due date, please contact the Help Desk at 1-800-594-2402 and immediately email your instructor about the situation.
How can I get extra credit?
Extra credit is not an option.
Questions and Concerns
Please feel free to contact me for help with coursework or other areas that may impact your progress. Here are some examples.
- Do you have general questions about attendance, deadlines regarding your courses, student financial aid, or other areas?
- Are you a member of the military service? Do you need to adjust your schedule due to active duty, or do you have questions about your GI Bill® benefits or have other unforeseen military and veteran-related issues that have developed?
- Do you need supplementary student assistance? Please let me know if you are having academic difficulty and would like an ADA accommodation. Although I can talk with you about getting assistance, an excellent point of contact is the Office of Student Disability Services. You can reach the Office by calling 877-496-9050, option 3, or by e-mailing adaofficer@devry.edu or adaofficer@keller.edu.
Regardless of your situation, please feel free to contact me for assistance in whatever area of concern you might have. I will do everything I can to assist you or put you in contact with University colleagues who are trained to assist you in whatever area of concern you might have.
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