BAT4M Bonus Assignment
Issues in Accounting
Until business schools teach future accountants and leaders how deep the connections
are between business, society, nature, and the world, corporations will continue to be
run by hollow leaders who have no sense of ethics or responsibility.
Sandra Wadoock, Leading Corporate Citizens, May 2005
This quotation was given in the midst of several accounting and business scandals that
have plagued the accounting profession in the past few years. At one time, accounting
ethics was only an afterthought of the profession. Now, ethics courses have become
mandatory in all university and college business programs and ethical accounting has
become a popular branch of research.
There are many accounting issues that attract public attention, unfortunately often for
negative reasons. There have been many examples of corporate accounting scandals,
Ponzi investment schemes and tax evasion.
The following business news websites are excellent resources to learn more about
current business and accounting issues:
Resources
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Financial Post
Bloomberg
The Globe and Mail
Business News Network
Reuters
What happens when business people do not adhere to ethical decision-making models?
In the assignment, you will explore accounting scandals.
1. Select an issue, company, or person involved in an “accounting or financial
scandal.” Possible scandals include Enron, Parmelat, Worldcom, Nortel, Conrad
Black, Tyco, Adelphia Communications, Arthur Andersen, Lehman Brothers, or
any other scandal.
2. Research the scandal. What was the scandal? Who was involved? How did the
scandal contravene ethical decision-making criteria? How was the scandal
discovered? How did the scandal affect the company and investors? What
happened to the perpetrators of the scandal? How did this scandal change the
business environment, or the accounting profession?
3. Two Options:
a) Create an 8 to 10 slide presentation that you feel explains the scandal
clearly. Ensure that you incorporate all of the answers to the questions
above into the slide show. The last slide should contain a bibliography or
works cited of your sources.
b) OR Write a report (maximum 2 pages) that answers all of the questions
outlined above.
It must be in your own words, NO COPY AND PASTE. I will not waste my
time reading it, nor will I give you another chance to redo the BONUS
assignment. If you do not include a bibliography or works cited I will not
read it.
FINAL DUE DATE: May 30, 2014 (I will not accept it after this date, you
may hand it in before this date. The sooner the better.)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
(50 - 59%)
(60 - 69%)
(70 - 79%)
(80 - 100%)
Explains the connections
between accounting and
ethical standards with
limited effectiveness
Explains the connections
between accounting and
ethical standards with
moderate effectiveness
Explains the connections
between accounting and
ethical standards with
considerable effectiveness
Explains the connections
between accounting and
ethical standards with a high
degree of effectiveness