Ethics And Auditing

Ethics and Auditing examines ethical challenges exposed by recent accounting and auditing 'lapses' through a study of interconnected moral, legal and accounting issues. The book aims to engage a broad readership in the discussion of audit failure and reform. With its range of intellectual and practical perspectives, Ethics and Auditing provides critical analyses of auditor independence, conflicts of interest, self-regulation, the setting and enforcing of auditing standards, and ethics education.

Why is ethics important to organizations? What are the characteristics of an ethical organization? How can we audit the ethics of an organization? What measures and activities stimulate the ethical development of organizations? This book addresses these questions. It is easier to say that ethics is necessary than to tell how to organize ethics. This book provides a fundamental and coherent vision on how ethics can be organized in a focused way. This study examines the assumptions for organizing ethics, the pitfalls and phases of such a process, the parts of an ethics audit and the great variety of measures. The methods and insights illustrated in this book are based partially on practical research. One of these methods, the Ethics Thermometer, was based on more than 150 interviews at various organizations. The Ethics Thermometer has been applied in a great variety of profit and not-for-profit organizations in order to measure an organization's perceived context, conduct and consequences. This book will be important to scholars in the field of business ethics, as well as to managers and practitioners. For scholars, this study provides general knowledge about auditing and developing the ethics of an organization. A summary is given of the criteria by which the ethical content of an organization can be measured. For managers and practitioners, this study provides concrete suggestions for safeguarding and improving ethics within their organizations.

This book helps auditors understand the reality of performing the internal audit role and the importance of properly managing ethical standards. It provides many examples of ethical conflicts and proposes alternative actions for the internal auditor. Internal auditors are well-schooled on the IIA Standards, but the reality is that the pressure placed on internal auditors related to execution of work and upholding ethical standards can be very difficult. Regardless of best practice or theory, auditors must be personally prepared to manage through issues they run across.

The articles collected in this volume deal with the contents and processes of good corporate practice. Their common question is how moral values and ethical demands can become an integral part of economic and corporate deci sions- in a way that is credible and comprehensible for the society. Generally accepted best practice or minimum requirements for codes of conduct matter in this context. They codify values like integrity, fairness, openness, honesty, truthfulness, solidarity and justice, which have to be im plemented in a company's day-to-day business. In one sentence: There is a need to develop criteria for seriosity and credibility, for evaluating and con trolling standards of conduct and the managerial systems created for this purpose. In the international arena terms like Ethics management system, Ethics program, Values program, Ethics audit and Social audit are in use to denote these management systems. In this context it seems to me that the European perspective results from the values driven integration of corporate govern ance (e.g. risk management, compliance), quality management (e.g. human capital, supply chain) and corporate citizenship (human rights, ecology, so cial responsibility, communitiy) into a comprehensive and consistent man agement decision system. The core value and common denominator of these areas is sustainability. This, for instance, as opposed to narrow compliance programs that are largely law driven, to use a distinction which Lynn S. Paine introduced.

""This book explores various theoretical and practical approaches of management accounting and its impact on different areas of activity in the 21st century"--Provided by publisher"--

This new edition of Accounting Ethics has been comprehensively updated to deal with the significant changes within the accounting profession since 2002; the authors systematically explore the new range of ethical issues that have arisen as a result of recent developments, including the financial crisis of 2008. Highlights the debates over the use of fair-value accounting and principles- versus rules-based standards Offers a comprehensive overview of ethics in accounting, as well as an examination of and recommendations for solving the current crisis in this field Investigates the nature and purpose of accounting Uses concrete examples and case studies, including current situations Examines the ethical responsibilities of individual accountants as well as accounting firms

How can one apply professional codes of conduct to grey areas of ethical conduct in the workplace? What is the relationship between ethics and the law? What process, if any, can one follow in reaching resolutions to difficult moral dilemmas? Ethics for Accountants and Auditors is the first book designed to be in line with the requirements on applied ethics as outlined in the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants education requirements for Part I of the Qualifying Examination (revised 2005). It contains pertinent introductions to the underlying principles that define and shape ethics, influential theories which provide philosophical insights into ethics, and a step-by-step guide to ethical decision-making. These concepts are then applied to the world of business and professional ethics. Written in plain language by respected academics and practitioners in the fields of accounting, auditing, and ethics.

Accounting Information Systems provides a comprehensive knowledgebase of the systems that generate, evaluate, summarize, and report accounting information. Balancing technical concepts and student comprehension, this textbook introduces only the most-necessary technology in a clear and accessible style. The text focuses on business processes and accounting and IT controls, and includes discussion of relevant aspects of ethics and corporate governance. Relatable real-world examples and abundant end-of-chapter resources reinforce Accounting Information Systems (AIS) concepts and their use in day-to-day operation. Now in its fourth edition, this popular textbook explains IT controls using the AICPA Trust Services Principles framework—a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand framework of IT controls—and allows for incorporating hands-on learning to complement theoretical concepts. A full set of pedagogical features enables students to easily comprehend the material, understand data flow diagrams and document flowcharts, discuss case studies and examples, and successfully answer end-of-chapter questions. The book’s focus on ease of use, and its straightforward presentation of business processes and related controls, make it an ideal primary text for business or accounting students in AIS courses.

A trusted resource on the complex ethical questions that define the accounting profession An accountant’s practice depends on making difficult decisions. To achieve the best results, individual accountants and accounting firms need a clear understanding of the ethical duties and decision-making involved in the four major functions of modern accounting—auditing, management accounting, tax accounting, and consulting—as well as a strong sense of ethical conduct to guide the certification and validation of reliable financial records. Now in its third edition, Accounting Ethics is a thorough and engaging exploration of the ethical issues that accountants encounter in their professional lives. Since the publication of the first edition in 2002, Accounting Ethics has become an indispensable resource for accounting courses and certification programs worldwide, known for its focus on real-world application, practical advice, reader-friendly guidance, and its insight into the effects of global change on the profession. Together with coverage of the contemporary regulatory environment—including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act—this revised edition features expanded pedagogical resources such as new end-of-chapter case studies and discussion questions, and includes the updated AICPA Code of Conduct. Concise and dependable, Accounting Ethics sustains its reputation as an authoritative resource for practicing accountants, new professionals, students of accounting, and those who are considering the profession.