Iowa Ethics for CPAs

Course Description:

This is an Iowa ethics course covering standards of professional conduct and business practices adhered to by accountants such as CPAs in order to enhance their profession and maximize idealism, justice and fairness when dealing with the public, clients and other members of their profession. It also presents an approach -- the threats and safeguards approach -- to coping with ethical dilemmas. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and its impact on business ethics, new internal control requirements, and the CPA's responsibilities are summarized. Finally, a brief discussion of the AICPA's Standards for Tax Service and the IMA's Statement of Ethical Professional Practice are included.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Recognize ethical reasoning used by accountants
• Identify different principles and rules of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
• Identify independence and objectivity issues
• Recognize ethical standards and violations
• Identify the key issues of corporate responsibilities law (Sarbanes-Oxley act) that influence auditor independence
• Identify licensing and disciplinary mechanisms within the profession
• Identify the ethical standards required of accountants and financial professionals by the Institute of Management Accounts (IMA)