The AICPA's Integrity and Objectivity Rule states: "In the performance of any
professional service, a member shall maintain objectivity and integrity, shall be free of
conflicts of interest, and shall not knowingly misrepresen facts or subordinate his or
her judgment to others." -
• You are an experienced CPA working in the Financial area of a Governmental Agency.
In recent years, there have been a number of scandals at the Agency involving the CEO
(i.e. President) and members of the Board of Directors.
• The Agency has just appointed a staff attorney to the position of Chief Audit and
Compliance Officer ("CACO"). This individual has never had an accounting or auditing
course but has just enrolled in an evening program at a Chicago area University to
obtain a "Certificate of Accounting." The CACO works directly for the Board of
Directors.
• The Agency, with the blessing of the Board of Directors, recently hired a public
relations firm to help improve its image.
• You are approached and asked if you would like to work for the CACO.
Questions:
1. What are the issues?
Should you accept this position?
Step by stepSolved in 2 steps
- The following scenarios may result in non-compliance with one or more of the principles in the code of ethics, by the auditor or accountants. John, a chartered accountant who is employed by a state-owned enterprise, appeared before a commission of enquiry into financial irregularities that occurred under his direction. John denied his involvement but there was proof made available which indicated he was lying. John acknowledged that he had lied and then went on to state that he was instructed to do so by his superiors. Discuss if the chartered accountants or registered auditors in each of the scenarios above, have failed to comply with any of the fundamental ethical principles in the code of conduct.arrow_forwardEach of the following situations involves a possible violation ofthe AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. For each situation, state the applicable section ofthe rules of conduct and whether it is a violation.a. Emrich, CPA, provides tax services, management advisory services, and bookkeepingservices and also conducts audits for the same nonpublic client. Because the firm issmall, the same person often provides all the services.b. Franz Marteens is a CPA, but not a partner, with 3 years of professional experiencewith Roberts and Batchelor, CPAs. He owns 25 shares of stock in an audit client ofthe firm, but he does not take part in the audit of the client, and the amount of stockis not material in relation to his total wealth.c. A nonaudit client requests assistance of M. Wilkenson, CPA, in the installationof a local area network. Wilkenson had no experience in this type of work andno knowledge of the client’s computer system, so he obtained assistance from acomputer consultant. The…arrow_forwardControversy tends to surround the topic of whistleblowers. For example, should they be considered heroes or traitors? Many pro-whistleblowing policies have been enacted by the federal government to allow these individuals to reap significant monetary rewards for coming forward and giving information about behaviors and actions such as corporate fraud and unethical deeds. Many corporate whistleblowers face negative consequences of their actions, such as reassignment, revenge, and hate crimes, and are seen as traitors (e.g., Edward Snowden and Gina Gray). Yet Sherron Watkins and Cynthia Cooper were celebrated as heroes. Look up the stories of Sherron Watkins and Cynthia Cooper. Why do you think that some whistleblowers are vilified and others made to be heroes?arrow_forward
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- select a corporate scandal of your choice and accordiing to Professional Code of Conduct given by AICPA was violated and how about the auditors?arrow_forwardWhich of the following family relationships is most likely to impair a CPA's independence with respect to a particular audit client on which the CPA works as a “covered member”? Select one: The CPA's spouse participates in a savings plan sponsored by the client. A cousin has an immaterial investment in the client of which the CPA is aware. The CPA's father is president of the audit client. A close relative has a material investment in that client of which the CPA is not aware.arrow_forwardDiscuss how each of the following could affect independence of mind and independence in appearance, and evaluate the social consequence of prohibiting auditors from doing each one: Owning stock in a client company. Having bookkeeping services for an audit client performed by the same person who does the audit. Having a spouse who is the chief financial officer of a client company. (More detail)arrow_forward
- The audit partner has just advised you that he has been approached to accept the appointment of auditor to Bungie Limited. Bungie Limited is a manufacturer of gaming machines and has been named in a recent anti-corruption enquiry as having offered incentives to state government members to support a proposed bill thatwould allow an increased number of gaming machines in licensed premises. No charges have yet been laid against Bungie Limited or any of its employees. The audit partner explains to you that Bungie Limited’s auditors were re-appointed for the current financial year at the Annual General Meeting held two months ago. However, Bungie Limited’s managing director is unhappy with the existing auditing firm as the audit partner assigned to Bungie Limited has been changed. Required: The audit partner is unsure whether he should accept the appointment and has asked you to outline any ethical, legal, and other factors to consider in his decision about whether to accept the…arrow_forwardSOX, whistleblower awards is apparently wrong. Which else could be the right answer?arrow_forwardDuring an internal investigation, Black, a Certified Fraud Examiner, interviewed Green, a fraud suspect. Although Green wanted to leave in the middle of the interview, Black blocked the exit and prevented him from leaving. Green subsequently confessed to committing fraud. If, under these facts, Green files a lawsuit for false imprisonment against Black, Black will likely: A. Win the case because the qualified business privilege protects investigators conducting internal investigations. B. Win the case because Green confessed to the fraud. C. Lose the case if a trier of fact concludes that he restrained Green without consent or legal justification. D. Lose the cans because Green did not leave the interview.arrow_forward
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