Mary & Warren

Mary knew something was wrong when Warren got back to his desk. He had been with Blair & Blair Accounting (B&B) for 20 years, starting right after graduation and progressing through the ranks. Warren was a strong supporter of the company, and that was why Mary had been assigned to him. Mary had been with B&B for two years. She had graduated in the top 10 percent of her class and passed the CPA exam on the first try. She had chosen B&B over one of the Big Four firms because B&B was the biggest and best firm in Smallville, Ohio, where her husband, Frank, managed a locally owned real estate agency. She and Frank had just purchased a new home when things started to turn strange with her boss.

Whats the matter, Warren? Mary asked.

Well, youll hear about it sooner or later. Ive been denied a partners position. Can you imagine that? I have been working 60 and 70-hour weeks for the last 10 years, and all that management can say to me is not at this time, complained Warren.

Mary asked, So what else did they say?

Warren turned red and blurted out, They said maybe in a few more years. Ive done all that theyve asked me to do. Ive sacrificed a lot, and now they say a few more years. Its not fair.

What are you going to do? Mary asked.

I dont know, Warren said. I just dont know.

Six months later, Mary noticed that Warren was behaving oddly. He came in late and left early. One Sunday Mary went into the office for some files and found Warren copying some of the software that B&B used in auditing and consulting. A couple of weeks later at a dinner party, Mary overheard a conversation about Warren doing consulting work for some small firms. On Monday morning she asked him if what she had heard was true.

Warren responded, Yes, Mary, its true. I do have a few clients that I work for on occasion.

Dont you think theres a conflict of interest between you and B&B? asked Mary.

No, said Warren. You see, these clients are not technically within the market area of B&B. Besides, I was counting on that promotion to help pay some extra bills. My oldest son decided to go to a private university, which is an extra $25,000 each year. Plus our medical plan at B&B doesnt cover some of my medical problems and you dont want to know the cost of those. The only way I can afford to pay for these things is to do some extra work on the side.

But what if B&B finds out? Mary asked. Wont they terminate you?

I dont want to think about that. Besides, if they dont find out for another six months, I may be able to start my own company.

How? asked Mary.

Dont be naive, Mary. You came in that Sunday. You know.

Mary realized that Warren had been using B&B software for his own gain. Thats stealing! she said.

Stealing? Warrens voice grew calm. Like when you use the office phones for personal long- distance calls? Like when you decided to volunteer to help out your church and copied all those things for them on the company machine? If Im stealing, youre a thief as well. But lets not get into this discussion. Im not hurting B&B and, who knows, maybe within the next year Ill become a partner and can quit my night job.

Mary backed off from the discussion and said nothing more. She couldnt afford to antagonize her boss and risk bad performance ratings. She and Frank had bills, too. She also knew that she wouldnt be able to get another job at the same pay if she quit. Moving to another town was not an option because of Franks business. She had no physical evidence to take to the partners, which meant that it would be her word against Warrens, and he had 17 years of experience with the company.

• Imagine that you are Mary. Discuss your options and what the consequences of each option might be.
• Now, imagine that you are Warren. Discuss your options and what the consequences of each option might be.
• How did reading Chapter 2 & 4 of the textbook affect your answers?