Ethics in Action

Buddy Dupree is the accounting manager for On-Time Geeks, a tech support company for individuals and small businesses. As part of his job, Buddy is responsible for preparing the company's trial balance. His supervisor placed a "hard deadline" of Friday at 5pm for the completion ofthe trial balance. Unfortunately, Buddy was unable to get the trial balance to balance by the due date. The credit side of the trial balance exceeded the debit side by $3,000. To make the deadline, Buddy decided to add a $3,000 debit to the vehicles account balance. He selected the vehicles account because it will not be significantly affected by the additional $3,000.

Here are three questions.

1. Is Buddy behaving ethically? Why?

2. Who is affected by Buddy's decision?

3. How should Buddy have handled this situation?

Post a thoughtful answer of not less than 250 words