A Basic Ethics Guidebook for Utah CPAs

Author: Allison McLeod

A CPA is challenged in today’s work world to not only serve his/her client or employer, but also to protect the public interest by ensuring that there is transparency in financial reporting or there is fair administration of the tax laws. In balancing the two interests, a CPA may find him or herself in an ethical dilemma. This course covers not only basic ethical frameworks, but also specific rules from the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, and the Utah State Code, Administrative Rules and Code of Professional Conduct. These sources govern the practice and responsibilities of Utah CPAs. It concludes with a section on how a CPA can put his or her ethics into action.

Publication Date: April 2020

Topics Covered

• Basic ethical frameworks
• AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
• Utah State Code, Administrative Rules and Code of Professional Conduct
• How a CPA can put his or her ethics into action

Learning Objectives

• Identify how to apply the ethics of professional accounting as CPAs through the analysis of case studies involving both actual situations and hypothetical facts
• Recognize how to apply ethical judgment in interpreting the rules and determining public interest
• Identify and apply the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and Utah law that pertain to CPAs licensed to practice in the state of Utah
• Recognize Utah State Code, Administrative Rules and Code of Professional Conduct, and the Policies adopted by the Board currently in effect and how the statutes, rules, and policies pertain to them
• Describe the course of action that would uphold the intent of the rules in the performance of professional accounting services/work, not just to adhere to the mere technical compliance of such rules
• Describe the rules and their implications for persons in a variety of practices

Level
Basic

Instructional Method
Self-Study

NASBA Field of Study
Regulatory Ethics (4 hours)

Program Prerequisites
None

Advance Preparation
None