Professional Practice in Accounting : Accounting Assignment

Internal Code: MAS5404

Accounting Assignment:

to devise a series of interview questions to investigate how ethics and professional behaviour affect individuals in their real work life. These interviews can be conducted face to face, by telephone, or (as a last choice) by email. You may want to elaborate or ask other questions once you have heard the answers to the questions you pose. Then conduct an interview with an individual working in the accounting profession. Suggested questions (to get you started) include: how aware are they of their professional body’s codes and of their organisation's policies and procedures – if they have them. What influence do these codes have on their own behaviour and that of their peers and supervisors? What are the possible consequences if they breach either their professional body’s code or the organisation's code/s? Research a professional accounting body to understand what issues arise for the professional body and how it polices its code. How does the body communicate the need to be ethical to its members? Are there legal ramifications if the code is breached? Do members have to complete continual professional education? In what areas? Then reflect on what this means for you in your career and what actions you should take to ensure that you are always acting professionally and ethically. You should also reflect on the similarities and differences between the professional body and the individual working in a profession. Do they both give adherence to the codes the same priority? What, if any, barriers are there to adhering to the code/s? Questions:

1. Explain the ethics for professional accountants we have in selected accounting firm reflect on the similarities and differences between the professional body and the individual working in a profession.
2. Clearly identifies some of the ethical issues accountants face in the workplace
3. Provides examples of situations where professional bodies have enforced their code of conduct
4. Demonstrates an understanding of the conflicts that may occur between/amongst various stakeholders.
5. Reflection includes clear evaluation of how the research findings may affect personal behaviour, including consideration of conflicting interests and obligations.