Ethics, What Would You Do?

Welcome to "Ethics, What Would You Do?", an engaging and practical course designed to challenge your moral compass and sharpen your professional judgment. Taught by Stephen Priddle, a seasoned CFO and experienced ethics instructor, this session moves beyond the dry recitation of rules to explore the complex, gray areas where real ethical battles are fought. Through a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and hard-hitting scenarios, this course asks the difficult question: when the pressure is on, how will you respond?

This course is structured around a series of mini-cases and a comprehensive, in-depth case study that mirrors the messy reality of the real world. You will explore a wide variety of topics, ranging from internal reporting pressures and tax consulting loopholes to the unique challenges of the charitable sector. The goal is to inspire CPAs and financial professionals to move beyond the minimum standards of conduct and cultivate true professional character.

Key topics covered in this course include:

• The Ethics of Truth: An exploration of honesty, fraud statistics, and the critical difference between reputation and character.
• Internal and External Pressures: Analyzing real-world scenarios like manipulating Internal Rate of Return assumptions, cheating a parent company, and facing intimidation during inventory counts.
• Consulting and Practice Management: Ethical considerations in tax consulting, confidentiality in government contracts, and conducting due diligence during the sale of an accounting practice.
• Modern Challenges: The impact of AI on honesty, and dealing with widespread unethical practices in the workplace.
• In-Depth Case Study: A complex scenario featuring issues of executive compensation, conflicts of interest, and whistleblowing strategies.
• Practical Tools: Learning specific "Ethics Battle Lines" and phrases you can use to defend your integrity in heated situations.

Whether you are in public practice, industry, or the non-profit sector, this course provides the tools you need to recognize red flags and make decisions that align with your values. Join us to develop the skills necessary to navigate ethical minefields and ensure that your professional integrity remains intact.