General Business Ethics – 2024 Virginia Approved

Learning Objectives

• To list the foundation of ethical behavior.
• To explain in detail moral and ethical dilemmas faced in day-to-day situations.
• To discuss important principles underlying ethical decision-making.
• To review contemporary business ethics, emphasizing ethical principles, real-world challenges, and the enforcement of compliance with ethical codes.

Course Description

Unethical behavior can ruin professional careers and result in fines, penalties, or even a loss of licensure. This course underscores the gravity of unethical behavior in professional settings and highlights the far-reaching repercussions that individuals may encounter when ethical standards are compromised.

In this CPE course, we will guide us through an in-depth exploration of Aristotle's virtue ethics, shedding light on virtues crucial for ethical living in today's business world. The webinar will closely examine real-world ethical challenges, delving into recent scandals involving prominent accounting firms like Ernst & Young, PwC Canada, and PwC China. The course specifically addresses the risks encountered by professionals in both public accounting and industry.

Expanding its scope, this course will cover the contemporary ethical issues in today's business landscape. It covers diverse areas, including accounting and financial reporting, data privacy, health and safety, and concerns related to favoritism and nepotism. Emphasis is placed on the importance of ethical behavior across various components, encompassing environmental, social, and governance aspects. Additionally, the course explores the enforcement of compliance with ethical codes, examining the responsibility for the actions of others and the pivotal role of regulatory bodies in upholding ethical standards. A dedicated section focuses on the interpretation of NOCLAR (Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations), highlighting the imperative of addressing acts contrary to prevailing laws and regulations.

Key topics covered in this course:

• Introduction to the concept of ethics
• Examples of handling moral dilemmas 
• Steps in making ethical decisions
• The importance of ethics in internal controls
• Role of the AICPA and SEC in monitoring ethical behavior
• The latest in responsibilities for communicating noncompliance with laws and regulations

Join this CPE Ethics course for a dynamic and thought-provoking conversation about the ever-changing landscape of business ethics.

NOTE:  This course is approved by the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) to satisfy the Virginia-specific ethics requirement.

Overview

• The board's Mission and Authority

  4 mins
• Use of Certified Public Accountant(CPA) Title

  13 mins
• PWC China and PWC Hong Kong

  28 mins
• Environmental Component

  43 mins
• Key character principles

  65 mins
• Possible approaches to resolving an ethical eilemma

  81 mins
• NOCLAR interpretation - Members in Business

  99 mins