Scenario

You have been invited to attend a meeting where your immediate supervisor will be presenting a draft of detailed financial projections to the chief financial officer and a subsequent meeting with the company president. You've not been involved in the preparation of the analysis thus far but understand that you might have some tasks delegated to you after the meeting. In addition, you realize that the company is at a critical juncture from issues such as high attrition of the accounting staff, current economic conditions, and increased competition.

You have recently been hired in the fairly small accounting department of a corporate business. The department is so small, in fact, that you may be called on at times for tasks ranging from simple bookkeeping to preparation of financial statements and projections, and possibly even serving occasionally on the internal audit staff. One of your first responsibilities is to assist a senior level accountant with a detailed financial projection after receiving input from the chief financial officer and the president of the company.

Do you feel there might be an ethical issue present? For the moment, assume that no laws have been broken and only focus on any possible ethical issues.

If you were going to report a suspected ethical issue, how would you do so? For instance, to whom would you report? Would you first discuss the matter with anyone in particular?

Would the manner in which you respond vary depending on whether this corporation was privately held or publicly traded?

Does the fact that you have only been recently hired play into your decisions?

What possible sources of guidance might be available from a professional organization or your state's regulatory body overseeing the accounting profession?

Lastly, assume that you suspect that some state or federal laws may have been broken. In other words, the problems might be beyond just a possible ethical issue. Would this change your handling of the situation?

Can i use the solution you provide without it be consider plaragism