Course Information

CPAs have a considerable responsibility to the public, their profession, the organizations they serve, and themselves.  To protect the public interest and maintain the profession’s reputation, CPAs must act with integrity, honesty, and fairness. The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (Code) consists of foundational principles, enforceable rules, and interpretations to set ethical and professional guidelines for the CPA profession. The vast majority of state boards of accountancy have adopted the Code in their own regulations or have created their own equivalent codes. Adhering to the Code is a professional obligation and a legal requirement, as violations can result in disciplinary actions and the potential loss of one’s CPA license regulated by state boards of accountancy.

This course is designed to help you maintain knowledge of current AICPA ethical requirements. It begins with a presentation of individual ethical responsibility, including the concepts of ethics and morals, the process of ethical reasoning, and the importance of ethical codes. It demonstrates how to apply the two most commonly used ethical theories for resolving ethical dilemmas. The impact of corporate culture and leadership on individual behavior is also explained. The second part of the course covers the AICPA’s core principles, which provide a structured framework of standards that dictate expected professional behavior. It addresses specific rules that govern the performance of CPAs’ professional responsibilities, along with the conceptual framework approach to coping with ethical dilemmas. Numerous examples are included to help you apply fundamental ethical concepts and comply with the relevant provisions of the Code.

1. Recognize ethical reasoning used by accountants
2. Recognize the core principles within the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
3. Identify the steps within the conceptual framework approach
4. Recognize the indicators of impairment of independence
5. Identify ethical standards and violations