Ethics in Managerial Accounting

A discussion of recent scandals in managerial accounting in the U.S.

This paper looks at the changes needed within accounting practices in light of the recent scandals at Enron and Arthur Andersen. The writer explores the new rules, which have become standard practice in the past few years.

Contents
The Constituencies
Investors
The public
Employees
Managers and executives
CPAs
Auditors
Financial advisors
Governing Bodies
SEC
FASB
GAO
IRS
Congress
“There are those doing a lot about the question of ethics in managerial accounting, and those doing little or even creating more opportunities for unethical behavior. If the loopholes are shut down here, will companies go overseas to grease the wheels of commerce? Possibly. Global ethics are not quite as demanding in many parts of the world as most constituencies would like to see them here. (Bray, 2000) Or possibly not. Enron marched across India with its financial sleight-of-hand, injuring that nation “arguably” as it did this one. Perhaps there are ethics watches going on globally in the aftermath.”