With the number of negative, but high-profile cases gaining attention in recent years, it is imperative that practitioners be well-versed and clear as to their ethical responsibilities to the public that they serve. This program opens with the discussion of what is meant by ethics and the factors that influence ethical behavior. To keep discussions flowing, the text gives case studies and examples to illustrate ethical decisionmaking points. This program not only probes the philosophical reasoning methods that can help resolve ethical conflicts in a morally appropriate way, but it explains how the interests of stakeholders affect ethical decisionmaking in business and accounting. The author also reviews the various rules and requirements that CPAs need to be in compliance with, including the California Accountancy Act, the AICPA Principles and Rules of Conduct, ethical responsibilities in tax practice, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Use of Materials

Audio or DVD
The user should begin by watching the DVD segment or listening to the audio CD for the chapter before reading the text. The user may wish to make notes of the most important concepts and any terms that are new. Next, the user should review the learning objectives at the beginning of the chapter and read the chapter. The user should work through each of the examples. It may be helpful to highlight important material and/or to make additional notes. Next, the user should complete the study questions at the end of the chapter and review the answers. If the user answers a study question incorrectly, s/he should review the section of the text that is indicated at the end of the explanation to the study question to assure comprehension of the material. The user should review the learning objectives once more to consider achievement of the objectives. After the user has finished watching the DVD or listening to the audio CDs and reading the text and working through the study questions, s/he may wish to review her/his notes and any sections of the text or DVD or audio CDs that were difficult. When the user is ready, s/he should complete the quizzer. Reviewing notes periodically will increase retention of the material.

Online
The user should begin by watching the streamed video segment, if any, or listening to the streamed audio segment, if any, for the chapter before reading the text. The user may wish to make notes of the most important concepts and any terms that are new. Next, the user should review the learning objectives at the beginning of the chapter and read the chapter. The user should work through each of the examples. After the user has studied each chapter, s/he should click on the link at the left to complete the interactive study questions. If the user answers a study question incorrectly, s/he should review the section of the text that is indicated at the end of the explanation to the study question to assure comprehension of the material. The user should review the learning objectives once more to consider achievement of the objectives. After the user has finished watching the streamed video, if any, or listening to the streamed audio, if any, and reading the text and working through the study questions, s/he may wish to review her/his notes and any sections of the text or video/audio, if any, that were difficult. When the user is ready, s/he should click on the link to the left to complete the quizzer. The user's CPE certificate will be provided immediately upon successful completion of the quizzer.

Software
The user should begin by reviewing the learning objectives at the beginning of the chapter and read the chapter. The user should work through each of the examples. As the user studies each chapter, s/he should complete the interactive study questions that appear in the lower panel of the screen. If the user answers a study question incorrectly, s/he should review the section of the text that is indicated at the end of the explanation to the study question to assure comprehension of the material. The user should review the learning objectives once more to consider achievement of the objectives. After the user has finished reading the text and working through the study questions, s/he may wish to review her/his notes and any sections of the text that were difficult. When the user is ready, s/he should click on the link at the far left to complete the quizzer. The user should email her/his quizzer statistics using the quizzer submission link in the software and the user's CPE certificate will be mailed to her/him.

Chapter 1 focuses on the definition of, and influences on, ethical behavior.

Chapter 2 examines the philosophical reasoning methods that can assist a person in making ethical decisions.

Chapter 3 covers ethics in a business environment.

Chapter 4 examines ethics in the accounting field.

Chapter 5 focuses on the California Accountancy Act.

Chapter 6 concentrates on the California Board of Accountancy Regulations.

Chapter 7 discusses independence, integrity and objectivity as it relates to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.

Chapter 8 covers other AICPA ethics rules.

Chapter 9 examines various statements on standards for tax services.

Chapter 10 focuses on the California rules and their application to practice situations.

The Appendix contains a bibliography.

Throughout this program, the user will find explanations and discussions regarding some of the issues that often face practitioners. In order to enhance the user's comprehension of the material and highlight important practical considerations, this program includes the following designations:

A Biskplan offers a strategy/discussion point when a practitioner is faced with a particular issue or situation.

A Biskpoint presents analysis or commentary that attempts to explain or clarify authoritative guidance.

A Bisktip provides practical advice that may be used to help improve client service or service to the practitioner's organization.

• Explain what is meant by the term "ethics" and how ethical behavior can be evaluated

• Apply ethical concepts to analyze ethical issues in business and accounting

• Explain how stakeholder theory influences ethical decisionmaking in an organization

• Describe how managers and corporate directors should act in their role as agents for the interests of shareholders

• Discuss how the financial control system operates to protect against fraud

• Explain how corporate governance systems work with the financial controls to ensure that stakeholder interests are met

• Discuss how the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 affect public companies and CPA firms

• Discuss the role and responsibilities of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

• Explain how the California Accountancy Act affects licensed CPAs, registered CPA firms, and other entities that practice public accounting in the state

• Explain how the California Board of Accountancy Regulations affect licensed CPAs, registered CPA firms, and other entities that practice public accounting in the state

• Answer questions about the application of the independence, objectivity, and integrity rules to the performance of professional services

• Discuss the ethics rules that govern the quality of professional services performed for clients and employers

• Explain how the AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services (SSTS) affect a CPA's ethical and professional responsibilities in tax practice