Accounting Ethics: A Practical Guide for Professionals

(Hardback)

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Written for professional and aspiring accountants, this book addresses the specific ethical issues that accountants are often obliged to resolve in the context of their work. The authors, an accountant and an ethicist, take a case-based, pragmatic approach to the subject, examining real life dilemmas often faced in the practice of accountancy. Each chapter investigates a specific issue, such as whistle-blowing or the implications of independence, and includes several case studies that put the theoretical analysis into practical perspective. Throughout, Cottell and Perlin seek to go beyond the codes of professional behavior to confront the subtle personal, corporate, and governmental pressures that make ethical decision making difficult. In an era in which accountants have been tried publicly for aiding in corporate fraud, Accounting Ethics provides a careful and welcome exploration of the moral issues faced almost daily by professionals in the field. Following an introductory chapter that raises fundamental questions about accountability, the authors analyze and interpret the three different systems from which ethical considerations are born--deontologism, utilitarianism, and ethical realism. Subsequent chapters examine particular types of conflicts. Among the topics that receive extended treatment are moral conflicts within the firm, the issue of independence, whistle-blowing as an option, legal requirements and ethical duties, difficulties in relationships among professionals, questions of sexual difference and discrimination, and accounting's responsibility to society. Specialized jargon is kept to a minimum, making this an excellent resource for anyone practicing or considering a career in the accounting profession.

Reviews

An accounting professor and an ethicist examine numerous ethical dilemmas from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. Short cases illustrate ethical conflicts regarding independence, whistle blowing, confidentiality and mentoring newer employees. The authors examine a variety of solutions to some of these conflicts and how both relate to some of the major systems of ethical thought. This is an insightful treatment of important ethical issues that should appeal to many professionals.-Journal of Accountancy
An outstanding pragmatic guide to the contemporary ethical challenges (mentoring, independence, whistle-blowing, business and personal relationships between professionals, "mommy-track," and conflicting moral duties) facing professional accountants. The book is unique in its focus on accountants in public practice as well as in industry, and in its use of inclusive language and examples. Cottell and Perlin believe that ethics is dialogue, and that this dialogue will lead to clearer thinking and more ethically responsive behavior. There are no absolute rules of conduct or theorizing. The authors are concerned with relevant, realistic situations and apply numerous concrete applications of the two main ethical systems of utilitarianism and deontologism to these situations. Each chapter has numerous footnotes to guide readers to a wide variety of relevant literature and research studies. There are two cases with thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter. Select bibliography. Strongly recommended for aspiring as well as practicing professional accountants.-Choice
The book is particularly strong in treating specific types of conflicts, including whistle-blowing, moral conflicts within a firm or among partners, legal requirements and ethical duties. In an era where accountants have been tried publicly for aiding corporate fraud, this is a valuable resource for those practicing or considering a career in the profession.-Accounting Today
"An accounting professor and an ethicist examine numerous ethical dilemmas from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. Short cases illustrate ethical conflicts regarding independence, whistle blowing, confidentiality and mentoring newer employees. The authors examine a variety of solutions to some of these conflicts and how both relate to some of the major systems of ethical thought. This is an insightful treatment of important ethical issues that should appeal to many professionals."-Journal of Accountancy
"The book is particularly strong in treating specific types of conflicts, including whistle-blowing, moral conflicts within a firm or among partners, legal requirements and ethical duties. In an era where accountants have been tried publicly for aiding corporate fraud, this is a valuable resource for those practicing or considering a career in the profession."-Accounting Today
"An outstanding pragmatic guide to the contemporary ethical challenges (mentoring, independence, whistle-blowing, business and personal relationships between professionals, "mommy-track," and conflicting moral duties) facing professional accountants. The book is unique in its focus on accountants in public practice as well as in industry, and in its use of inclusive language and examples. Cottell and Perlin believe that ethics is dialogue, and that this dialogue will lead to clearer thinking and more ethically responsive behavior. There are no absolute rules of conduct or theorizing. The authors are concerned with relevant, realistic situations and apply numerous concrete applications of the two main ethical systems of utilitarianism and deontologism to these situations. Each chapter has numerous footnotes to guide readers to a wide variety of relevant literature and research studies. There are two cases with thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter. Select bibliography. Strongly recommended for aspiring as well as practicing professional accountants."-Choice

Author Bio

PHILIP G. COTTELL, JR., is Associate Professor of Accountancy at Miami University, Ohio, and the author of numerous articles on accounting topics. TERRY M. PERLIN is Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, also at Miami University, Ohio. His articles on ethical issues have appeared in publications such as Humanistic Medicine and Medical Humanities Review.