California Association of State Auditors

CPAs today, regardless of whether in private practice, industry or government,  face unique threats to ethical compliance—it may not be enough to believe we will always do the right thing.  Being aware of ethical traps and behavioral characteristics that may cause us to unwittingly deviate from our values, can go a long way in preventing departures from professional and business ethics—especially when it really matters and in times when it is not only choosing between right vs. wrong, but also right vs. right. Being reminded of the compliance threats and obligations is critical when confronted with an ethical dilemma. It also really helps to have a tool box of tricks and techniques to keep us on the right track, particularly when the “rules” or code of conduct is not precise on the issue. This course reviews morals, ethics, and professional ethical obligations and covers the concepts contained in the reformatted AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. The materials cover the core values contained in the Code and the application of these values to ethical reasoning and sound decision making. Realistic examples demonstrate the types of threats CPAs in business could face, providing an ethical thought process to resolving ethical dilemmas. War stories and tools for minimizing the risk it will happen to you will be at the heart of the program—with a few laughs to remind us that we are human.
 
The program will also cover the Regulatory Review mandated by the California Board of Accountancy. The CBA is responsible for regulating the accounting profession in the public interest through its licensure and enforcement programs. We’ll look at selected sections of the Accountancy Act and California Board of Accountancy Regulations, highlighting their effect on the practice of accounting and citing cases where misconduct has led to Board disciplinary action. Recent California Board of Accountancy disciplinary actions throughout this course serve as great examples of the types of situations and actions that can lead to discipline from the Board.

This course has been approved by the Board of Accountancy.

Program Level: Basic
Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: None
Delivery Method: Group-Live
Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics, Business Management and Organization, Regulatory Ethics
Recommended CPE: 8 credits