Ethics for CPAs Self-Study Webinar

To satisfy the Ethics requirement for CPAs and emphasize the need for prudent ethical judgment when interpreting the rules and determining the public interest. You’ll use case studies and discussion questions to understand how to apply the rules to real ethical dilemmas.
 

This self-study webinar qualifies to satisfy the general Professional Ethics requirement in all states, except the following states which require state-specific Ethics: AZ, DE, FL, LA, MI, MS, NJ, NY, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WY.

AR: This course will satisfy 2 of the necessary 4 hrs of ethics due every 3 years; it does not contain the mandatory 1 hr of AR specific content.

CA: This course will satisfy 2 of the necessary 4 hrs of ethics due every 2 years; it does not qualify for the separate 2 hr Regulatory Review class due every 6 years.

UT: This course will satisfy 2 of the necessary 4 hrs of ethics due every 2 years; it does not contain the mandatory 1 hr of UT specific content.

GA: This course will satisfy 2 of the necessary 4 hrs of ethics due every 3 years; it does not contain the mandatory 1 hr of GA specific content.

DETAILED LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify the different operational definitions of ethics

• Identify factors that could lead to unethical behavior

• Recognize the different stages of ethical development articulated by Kohlberg

• Identify professional standards that support ethical behavior by CPAs

• Identify factors that create ethical conflicts for CPAs

• Recognize the primary layout of the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct

• Identify the perspective from which a CPA should view an ethical dilemma

• Identify the steps to be taken when attempting to eliminate or reduce threats to a CPA’s compliance with the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct

• Identify the different categories of threats to a CPA’s compliance with the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct

• Recognize the limitations of identified safeguards against threats to a CPA’s compliance with the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct

• Recognize the characteristics of effective employee hotlines

• Recognize the steps to be taken when in an ethical conflict with no obvious solution 

• Recognize the factors which serve to minimize potential conflicts of interest

• Identify the financial statement preparer’s obligations to the outside auditors

• Identify the ethical truths illustrated within the Enron scandal

• Recognize the specific concerns of the PCAOB reflected in PCAOB Auditing Standard 18

• Professional responsibility: issues for accountants
• Rules enforcement
• Causes of unethical behavior
• AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
• Advertising
• Independence, conflicts of interest and objectivity
• Record retention and ownership of information
• Reciprocity and portability
• Contingent fees, commissions and referral fees
• Forms of organization
• Tax transparency
• Comfort letters
• Rules governing unprofessional conduct
  – For all professions
  – For CPAs specifically