Accounting ethics

"Accountants and the accountancy profession exist as a means of public service; the distinction which separates a profession from a mere means of livelihood is that the profession is accountable to standards of the public interest, and beyond the compensation paid by clients."

—Robert H. Montgomery, describing ethics in accounting in 2009^[1]

Accounting ethics is primarily a field of applied ethics and is part of business ethics and human ethics, the study of moral values and judgments as they apply to accountancy. It is an example of professional ethics. Accounting was introduced by Luca Pacioli, and later expanded by government groups, professional organizations, and independent companies. Ethics are taught in accounting courses at higher education institutions as well as by companies training accountants and auditors.

Due to the wide range of accounting services and recent corporate collapses, attention has been drawn to ethical standards accepted within the accounting profession.^[2] These collapses have resulted in a widespread disregard for the reputation of the accounting profession.^[3] To combat the criticism and prevent fraudulent accounting, various accounting organizations and governments have developed regulations and remedies for improved ethics among the accounting profession.

^ Love, Vincent J. (October 1, 2008). "Understanding Accounting Ethics, Second Edition". The CPA Journal. ProQuest 212232117.
^ Jackling, Beverly; Barry J. Cooper; Philomena Leung; Steven Dellaportas (2007). "Professional Accounting Bodies' Perceptions of Ethical Issues, Causes of Ethical Failure and Ethics Education". Managerial Auditing Journal. 22 (9): 928–944. doi:10.1108/02686900710829426. hdl:1959.17/40762. S2CID 153454345. ProQuest 274631424.
^ Dellaportas, Steven (June 2006). "Making a Difference with a Discrete Course on Accounting Ethics". Journal of Business Ethics. 65 (4): 391–404. doi:10.1007/s10551-006-0020-7. hdl:10536/DRO/DU:30024362. S2CID 2042625. ProQuest 198036182.

[EthicalIssuesCA245-1] Love, Vincent J. (October 1, 2008). "Understanding Accounting Ethics, Second Edition". The CPA Journal. ProQuest 212232117.

[JackPercept-2] Jackling, Beverly; Barry J. Cooper; Philomena Leung; Steven Dellaportas (2007). "Professional Accounting Bodies' Perceptions of Ethical Issues, Causes of Ethical Failure and Ethics Education". Managerial Auditing Journal. 22 (9): 928–944. doi:10.1108/02686900710829426. hdl:1959.17/40762. S2CID 153454345. ProQuest 274631424.

[DellaDifference-3] Dellaportas, Steven (June 2006). "Making a Difference with a Discrete Course on Accounting Ethics". Journal of Business Ethics. 65 (4): 391–404. doi:10.1007/s10551-006-0020-7. hdl:10536/DRO/DU:30024362. S2CID 2042625. ProQuest 198036182.

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