Analyze (5 points)

Analyze scenarios involving business ethics.

1. Susan is an accountant at a small CPA firm who has to meet with clients on a daily basis. She has one client meeting immediately after lunch at 1:00 pm. Because her clients usually arrive around 1:15 pm, she usually does not bother to be on time either.

a. What ethical issue needs to be addressed in this scenario? (1 point)

b. How should it best be addressed? (2 points)

2. David is an accountant in his late fifties, who has been working as an accountant for over 30 years. His last employer went out of business, so David is now seeking a new job. When filing out an application online, David notices that one company asks applicants not only for the names of the high schools and colleges they attended, but also the years which they attended them. David, who attended a Hebrew high school on a kibbutz in Israel, thinks about how he has never been asked these questions on a job application.

a. What ethical issue needs to be addressed in this scenario? (1 point)

b. How should it best be addressed? (2 points)

3. Gina and Samuel worked together to make a set of financial statements for one customer. They both reviewed the statements carefully before signing off on them. The next day, Samuel is fired from work for noncompliance and leaves the company immediately. The following day, Gina learns that there are major errors in the reports and that the client is very upset. She explains that Samuel was the one who did most of the work on those statements and that she did not have the chance to look at them before they were submitted.

a. What ethical issue needs to be addressed in this scenario? (1 point)

b. How should it best be addressed? (2 points)

4. One afternoon, Devon is checking his work email and finds an email that was obviously sent to him in error. The email, from his co-worker Ryan to another co-worker, discusses a very personal issue that is not work-related in any way. Ryan also makes several disparaging comments about other employees of the company in the email.

a. What ethical issue needs to be addressed in this scenario? (1 point)

b. Compose an email response to best address this issue. (2 points)

5. Connie and Marianne are both accountants at the same firm, but they know each other outside of the context of work. They are also both actresses, and on the weekends, they perform in the same theater company together. One morning, Connie is in the breakroom fixing a cup of coffee when she sees Marianne, who asks her if she is planning to audition for an upcoming play. They begin talking about the play, and before they know it, their co-workers are shuffling into the breakroom for lunch.

a. What ethical issue needs to be addressed in this scenario? (1 point)

b. How should it best be addressed? (2 points)

Synthesize (25 points)

Develop a business code of ethics and apply that code of ethics by simulating two accountant-client scenarios.

An accounting manager with XYZ Financials receives an email from an important client about a concern she has with a series of charitable donations that her company wishes to make in order to decrease its tax liability. The manager first gives the client a telephone call, and then meets with her in person.

For this task, you will role-play this scenario with a partner. First, you will work together to develop a personal and business code of ethical behavior. Then, you will take turns acting as the client and manager, first through a telephone conversation and secondly through an in-person meeting. In both scenarios, you will apply the code of ethics you have developed.

1. Describe how you will address each of the following in your code of ethics.

a. Punctuality and time management (2 points)

b. Use of company technology (2 points)

c. Distinction between personal and business tasks (2 points)

d. Dress code (2 points)

e. Integrity and accountability (2 points)

f. Respect for diversity (2 points)

2. Begin the role-play by engaging in a telephone conversation.

a. As the accounting manager, introduce yourself to your client. (2 points)

b. Now get more information on the issue with your client. Demonstrate standards of telephone etiquette and show respect toward your client in your response. (2 points)

c. You get another important phone call in the middle of your conversation with your client. Handle this situation with respect and proper telephone etiquette. (2 points)

3. Now, role-play the in-person meeting with your client.

a. How will you prepare for this meeting? Include your choice of attire, length of the meeting, and anything else you think is important. (2 points)

b. As the accounting manager, greet your client. (1 point)

c. Now start the meeting. You know that your client wants to decide on the specific donations the company will make and hear from you how this will decrease tax liability. Show respect when discussing this information. (2 points)

d. Your client shares that she is considering leaving her position with the company soon and wants to know if this will affect the donations. She hasn't told anyone at her company yet. Respond to her in a respectful and professional way. (1 point)

e. Your client asks if you're curious why she's considering leaving the company. How will you respond? (1 point)