ETHICS for ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, and FINANCE (ETHC 311)

OVERVIEW

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course teaches the fundamental principles of the ACCA’s Code of Ethics and Conduct that would be required to comply for ACCA registered students, affiliates, and members. This will include addressing ethical dilemmas arising from accounting, finance, and auditing in real-world situations. In this course, assessments include controlled case studies and a project in which students will need to resolve ethical issues in a simulated business environment.

2. REASON FOR THE COURSE

Accounting and Finance professionals must uphold high ethical standards to build trust with stakeholders. They must demonstrate ethical behaviors in an organization to become a trusted professional with a skill set that includes problem-solving, digital skills, communication, and negotiation. Therefore, program graduates will work as ethical, resilient business professionals.

3. STUDY HOURS

4. ROLE IN CURRICULUM

Prerequisites: 
Introduction to Computer Science (COSC 101) and Financial Accounting 1 (ACCT 211) are prerequisites for this course.

SKILLS

  • COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)
  • ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
  • TEACHING METHODS
  • STUDY PLAN
  • TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

5. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Knowledge Level of Learning Related
PLO
Describe the Code of Ethics (CK1)
Describe the fundamental principles of the ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct		 Understand PIP1
Cognitive Skills Level of Learning Related
PLO
Apply the Code of Ethics (CC1)
Apply the fundamental principles of the ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct to resolve ethical dilemmas		 Apply PIP1
Discuss the Application of Financial Statements (CC2)
Discuss the application of the qualitative characteristics of financial reporting		 Analyze PIC7
Communication, Information Technology, and Numerical Skills Level of Learning Related
PLO
Analyze the Data (CCIT1)
Analyze the quantitative and qualitative data to support the business decisions.		 Analyze PCIT1
Interpersonal Skills and Responsibilities Level of Learning Related
PLO
Work Ethically (CIP1)
Work in a team to address the ethical dilemmas in an organization		 Characterize PIP2

6. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

Grades will be determined based on the following assessments and score allocations:

SKILL Assessment Skill Weighting
for Grade
Participation Project Controlled Case Studies Final Controlled Case Study
Describe the Code of Ethics (CK1)     100%   10%
Apply the Code of Ethics (CC1)    50% 50%   25%
Discuss the Application of Financial Statements (CC2)   50%   50% 25%
Analyze the Data (CCIT1)   100%     20%
Work Ethically (CIP1) 100%       20% 

7. TEACHING METHODS

This course uses demonstrations, lectures, case studies, and group problem-solving.  Approximately 1/2 of the class time will be demonstrations, presentations, and questioning (often using Kahoot!) from the lecturer, with the other 1/2 of the class for working on case studies and problem sets.  Case studies and problem sets are delivered via Google Classroom Quiz and Google Sheets.

During the course, there is one Project:

Assignment: Addressing Ethical Dilemmas
Work Group: Group of Three
Output format:  Presentation
Language: English
Description: Students are assigned different roles to work in an organization where they will face ethical dilemmas at work. They are required to prepare a presentation slide to show how they resolve ethical issues. Scoring will be according to the Assignment Rubric. 

8. STUDY PLAN

The course targets the 10 lessons in the study plan below. Each lesson is 1.5 class hours each; there are a total of 15 class hours.  The study plan below describes the skills to be learned in each lesson (learning outcome). Readings should be completed before the start of each class. Implementation of this study plan may vary depending on the progress and needs of students. References are supporting documents that students may optionally read for deeper understanding or clarification.

   Lesson Learning Outcomes Teaching and Learning Activities, Assessment
1

Introduction

  1. Describe the course requirements and learning outcomes
  2. Explain the importance of ethics in the workplace (CIP1)

 

Lecture (T)
Discussion (T, A)

Reading: Course Specification
2

ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct

  1. Describe the fundamental principles of the ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct (CK1)
 Lecture (T)
Group Case Study (T, A)
Kahoot (A)

Reading: ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct, pp 18-23; Reference: ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct pp 24-31
3

ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct

  1. Apply the ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct (CC1)
 Lecture (T)
Role Play (T, A)

Reading: ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct, pp 18-23; Reference: ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct pp 24-31
4

Threats to Independence and Objectivity

  1. Explain the threats affecting independence and objectivity (CC1)
 Lecture (T)
Group Case Study (T, A)
Kahoot (A)
5

Threats to Independence and Objectivity

  1. Resolve the ethical issues affecting independence and objectivity (CC1)
 Lecture (T)
Group Case Study (T, A)
Kahoot (A)
6

Application of Financial Reporting

  1. Describe the qualitative characteristics of financial reporting (CC2)
 Lecture (T)
Group Case Study (T, A)
Kahoot (A)
7

Application of Financial Reporting

  1. Discuss the application of the qualitative characteristics of financial reporting (CC2)
 Lecture (T)
Group Case Study (T, A)
8

Data Analysis

  1. Analyze the data to support business decisions ethically (CCIT1)
 Lecture (T)
Group Case Study (T, A)
9

Data Analysis

  1. Analyze the data to support business decisions ethically (CCIT1)
 Lecture (T)
Group Case Study (T, A)
10

Teamwork and Professionalism

  1. Work with a team to address ethical issues professionally in the workplace (CIP1)
 Lecture (T)
Role Play (T, A)

9. TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

Textbooks

Association of Chartered Certified Accounts, Code of Ethics and Conduct, 2022

References

The CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, 2024

Education Resources