Reference no: EM133044270 , Length: word count:1200

Task - Ethical Frameworks in Accounting

The report should follow the structure below and cover all information as outlined. The report should be no more than 2000 words.

The Situations - Background and Circumstances
This section should contain a summary of the chosen organisation chosen along with the key ethical principles associated with the work. You will need to provide a summary of the three (3) ethical situations identified with a brief analysis of the circumstances that surround it.
Ensure you include all of the following information in this section of your report:

State the organisation and summarise the key aims and activities in undertakes within the bookkeeping/accountancy context, including the typical job roles and specific tasks practised by staff.

Outline the key ethical principles associated with this type of work, including those specific to your own role. Provide examples of both personal and professional ethical principles (including those related to industry legislation, regulations, codes, and other instruments) and discuss their effect on any actions and behaviours in the workplace.

Describe three (3) different workplace situations within the organisation where complex ethical decisions are required. For each one, state why it requires this level of decision-making and include details of any specific unethical behaviours or actions that may occur. In discussing the situations, consider the following questions:
How would the situation come about?
Who would be involved?
How would the employees cross the line? In what instances would illegal behaviour be evident?
What would be the circumstances that would lead to the unethical and/or illegal behaviour and how would this this impact on the employee's decision making, e.g. financial rewards and other incentives?
What aspects of the organisation's culture would play a part?

Frameworks and Protections
This section should contain a comprehensive account of the facts and details of the case, in particular, in relation to the frameworks and organisational and legal protections that would apply in each situation identified above. In this section of the report, you will need to undertake individual research specific to the organisation chosen.

Ensure you include all of the following information in this section of your report for each workplace situation identified:
Research the applicable ethical framework(s) that can be applied to ensure effective ethical decision-making, problem-solving and policy setting in each situation. Identify, assess and evaluate at least two (2) factors that may prevent these frameworks from being used.
Outline the key legal requirements and ethical dimensions of each situation. In your answer, consider the variances between the two and evaluate the impact of these variances in terms of how it impacts decision making.

Using your situations as examples, analyse the difference between ‘ethical' conduct and ‘compliant/legal' conduct.
What internal and legal protections are available to the organisation that facilitate ethical actions and decision-making? Consider the APES Standards, Codes of Conduct for accounting and bookkeeping, NOCLAR activities, ASIC, ATO and Whistle blower legislation, providing examples as to how these protections can be applied in response to each situation (where applicable).

Describe two (2) other artefacts the organisation uses to support ethical practice, promote its values and maintain ethical standard.
What policies, protocols and procedures are currently in place to identify, address and escalate ethical issues that may result from the three situations identified? Discuss at least one (1) example of internal organisational policies and procedures used by your chosen organisation as well as at least one (1) example from industry. How do these policies and procedures help to address changes and developments like these when negotiating, planning and undertaking work?

What other sources of advice and guidance can you/your organisation use to keep up-to-date with changes and developments in ethical decision-making and apply ethical frameworks in the workplace? Give at least two (2) examples/recommendations and describe how they help provide protection for the organisation and address unethical conduct of staff, in terms of individual responsibilities.

Clarification and Reflection of Ethical Principles
This requires a more thorough investigation that goes beyond the mere facts of your case and requires you to think analytically about the reasons for and implications of the identified situations (and associated behaviours of the people and organisation/s involved) and the overarching ethical principles that apply.

Here, you will need to think carefully about the likely causes and motivations of carrying out certain unethical actions and what could have been the influencing factors from an organisational and individual perspective. Whilst this is a more generic task, you may refer to examples from your case study to help inform your answers.

Ensure you include all of the following information in this section of your report:

Explain generally why people may respond and make decisions when confronted with an ethical situation in ways that are inconsistent with their values. What are the motivating factors in these cases?

In what ways could offers of incentives and remuneration impact an individual's actions and behaviours in the workplace? Provide two (2) examples to analyse the impact of this type of ethical issue on an individual's actions.

Analyse the context of a given situation and describe how it could affect individual conduct and behaviour, that is, how might one person potentially act differently if the circumstances surrounding the situation altered?

Consider the effects of group dynamics on individual actions. Discuss the influence that others' opinions and behaviours can have on the wider team, and how it could potentially lead to unethical practice. Refer to the classic theory of group dynamics and social exchange theory in your analysis.

Describe the cognitive biases that could be present amongst members of a team and why this could compromise ethical conduct amongst other staff.

Why might some individuals be unable to perceive ethical situations/issues (i.e. provision of financial reward and/or other incentives) in the same way as others? Examine and analyse examples of individual psychological tendencies and decision-making biases that could be present. Provide at least two (2) examples of each

Sources of information
State all sources of information used to complete your report. Provide details of how you ensured each source was reliable.

Attachment:- Ethical Frameworks in Accounting.rar