I need a response to a students post. Has to be 100 words. Cite a source that you got a reference from.

This is the topic:

The tobacco companies have paid billions because of smoking-related illnesses. In particular, Philip Morris, a leading cigarette manufacturer, paid more than $3,000,000,000 in settlement payments in one year.

Requirements

1. Suppose you are the chief financial officer (CFO) responsible for the financial statements of Philip Morris. What ethical issue would you face as you consider what to report in your company's annual report about the cash payments? What is the ethical course of action for you to take in this situation?
2. What are some of the negative consequences to Philip Morris for not telling the truth? What are some of the negative consequences to Philip Morris for telling the truth?

Instructions:Your initial response should be no less than 250 words with at least one scholarly journal reference (dictionary-type websites are excluded). Reply to at least two of your classmates. Replies to classmates should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. In-text citations and references must be in APA format. Refer to the Forum Grading Rubric below for additional guidelines.

This is the post:

he cigarette business is a very lucrative one. They provide a product that is in high demand despite the health risks associated with it. It is not surprising that settlement as large as $3 billion dollars have been paid in one year alone. According to Jablon (2001), A jury yesterday awarded more than $3 billion U.S. to a lifelong smoker, deciding that tobacco giant Philip Morris is responsible for his incurable lung cancer.

The job description and responsibilities of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) vary from company to company. A CFO of an account as large as Philip Morris would require someone of a high level of accounting experience. The general responsibilities and most common functions of a CFO is an executive officer who is responsible for handling funds, signing checks, keeping financial records, and financial planning for a corporation. (Downes & Goodman, 2014)

The ethical issues that the CFO faces when considering what to report in the companys annual report are the same of any person faced with any decision. They can either choose to do the right or wrong thing. They have an ethical responsibility to not only themselves but to their profession to uphold the standards of their trade. The typical course of action for the CFO is to report the actual amounts for the settlement payments. There is no margin for error and it is their job to perform their function in a fashion that is honest and error free.

The negative consequences for not telling the truth are quite obvious. Every crime that is committed can result in a fine and/or imprisonment. Not telling the truth also carries the burden of conducting business in a dishonest and immoral way. Stockholders, clients, customers and anyone that has involvement with any business regardless of its nature expects professionalism and honesty. Some of the negative consequences for the telling the truth are the painful numbers implicated with the amount of loss that the company has faced in settlements. These numbers could make them a target for more people coming forth and looking for a settlement.

Regardless of a CFOs standpoint or opinion they must be able to stand detached from the company and do their job to the best of their ability with fact and numbers. Their loyalty should stand with their profession and not with the company.

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