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 a discussion of ethics in accounting and the business failures that resulted from corporate governance system failures. The focus then shifts to the professional regulations CPAs in West Virginia must be in compliance with. The program closes with a look at the ethical standards from the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, and the AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services.

Use of Materials

DVD
The user should begin by watching the DVD 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. 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 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 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.

Chapter 1 provides an introduction to ethics and discusses the different ethical reasoning methods.

Chapter 2 discusses CPA responsibilities to the public and the different corporate failures that resulted from a lack of ethical tone at the top.

Chapter 3 takes a look at the regulations under the West Virginia Accountancy Law.

Chapter 4 examines the West Virginia Board of Accountancy Rules of Professional Conduct.

Chapter 5 discusses the independence, integrity and objectivity rules of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.

Chapter 6 reviews some additional rules of conduct under the AICPA Code.

Chapter 7 takes a look at the Statements on Standards for Tax Services.

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 Biskalert is intended to warn the practitioner of a particular situation that may require action or other consideration by the client or the practitioner on behalf of the client.

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.

• Demonstrate how philosophical reasoning methods can assist in making ethical decisions

• Identify the elements of utilitarianism, rights, and justice theories and how each might be used to reason out ethical dilemmas

• Discuss how business entities have made mistakes in decision making by ignoring ethical reasoning considerations

• Discuss how and why regulation of accounting has changed over time and the role of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

• Describe what is meant by the public interest obligation of accountants and auditors and what is required by the integrity and objectivity standards

• Discuss how the Principles of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct provide guidance in the performance of professional responsibilities

• Describe what it means to have an ethical dilemma in accounting

• Explain the substantial equivalency certification and practice privilege requirements

• Describe the firm ownership and permit renewal requirements

• Identify the actions that may trigger disciplinary proceedings and unlawful acts

• Explain the requirements for licensee working papers and clients' records

• Discuss the requirements for certificate renewal

• Describe the confidentiality requirements that pertain to client information

• Identify relationships that violate the independence rules under the AICPA Code

• Discuss how a CPA should handle differences of opinion in the application of accounting principles

• Explain the responsibilities of a CPA using a third-party service provider

• Discuss when a CPA can accept contingent fees and commissions

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

• Explain the ethical responsibilities of a CPA to maintain confidential client information and obligations when using a third-party service provider

• Discuss other ethical responsibilities including permissible advertising and solicitation practices; the acceptance of commissions, contingent fees, and referral fees; and the form and name of organization used to practice public accounting

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

• Describe the ethical obligations of a tax practitioner to clients and the government