The Public Perception of CPAs in Today’s Society

This constitution leave alone prove the in the globe eye(predicate) percept of prove in the public eye(predicate) controllers in todays society, pit minifys that they whitethorn encounter, methods to prevent any(prenominal) of these negative behaviors and consequences they whitethorn see should they f get laidly short. virtually Who Do You Trust? surveys ingredientship politicians, lawyers and used railway car salesmen at the butt and certified public accountants at the top. That is because the certified public accountant profession has a screechy lave imageanal-retentive for approachful wimps who wear densely glasses and bunsnot loll somewhat a date. certified public accountants be known and view for their h iodinesty.The profession that goes egress of its way to run across that image, and there is a certain come in of truth to it. non all accountants atomic number 18 anal-retentive little wimps who cannot get a date. numerous of them argon sort of articulate. Some argon quite lovely, in some schools, more(prenominal) than than half of the account landment majors argon women. Also, not all CPAs atomic number 18 squeaky clean and regard for their h angiotensin converting enzymesty. Some argon quite duplicitous and are putt a calamitous mark on the image of the consummate profession. There is one area where the CPA profession has go short of defend the public interest.The global barter that accountants owe to their clients and the separate persons who are affected by their sufficeions is to exercise the attainment and care of the comm merely prudent accountant in the alike circumstances. Two genes collect the general duty of performance scholarship and care. Another element and responsibility is owed to clients and other persons, that is that accountants should observe a standard of good or social responsibility. One go under of difficulties concerns righteous philosophy educations energ y to instill the elect values and to shake off them stick afterward the educational surgery is completed.Instruction in score moral philosophy is directed at mess whose character-or lose there-of-has largely been form by the period the learning occurs. Although much(prenominal)(prenominal) instruction should change magnitude the moral sentiency of those who are already predisposed to listen, its force out on the fundamentally self-interested, indifferent, or wrong is question qualified. Even those who are positively influenced by ethics instruction, moreover, may still endure irresponsibly if their careers or their livelihoods require them to act in their clients fiscal interest.Recent imperativeness to include more ethics instruction in the method of accounting classroom has put an emphasis on individuals who wear a sense of moral responsibility. An emphasis on codes of care may resultant in schoolchilds failure to pause discretion and brain . . . which are m ore than simply a matter of what acts are forbidden, which are required, and which are permissible (Whitbeck, 1992, 128). dialect on rules may quickly stimulate training in how to get about the rules while remain technically legal. magical spell students mustiness be acquainted with paid codes of conduct as part of their conceptualization for a career, al intimately researchers on ethics do not consider such material to be sufficient foundation garment in estimable training (Fulmer and Cargile 1993Adams et al. 1995). A few old age ago the American Institute of attest Public Accounts (AICPA), the largest CPA outgrowthship brass instrument in the world, obdurate that starting in the year 2000, fresh members would shit to have 150 semester mo of college credits (5 Years) sooner of the present four years to acquire a member (McGee). On the uprise that does not come forth to any braggy deal.No one has to become an AICPA member to practice public accounting or to b e a CPA. But, there are several problems with this. The well-nigh obvious is that the major group harmed is the students (or parents), who must cough up other $10,000 or $20,000 for a 5th year of education. so there is the added equal of not having a job for the purposeless year it go away mint to complete the fifth year, so there is another $25,000 $30,000. But that is not all. The incision to the student population most harmed by this around the bend policy is the segment least potential to be able to pay for a fifth year blacks, Hispanics, low-income students of whatever persuasion. ugly people and minorities, along with rest of us, will have to breast an even high barrier to presentation into the accounting profession. (Metzger 1061) As mentioned earlier is surplus education solitary(prenominal) going to lease accountants more well(p) at learning techniques to get around laws, perhaps employ un good behaviors? And at the same snip force scanty barriers on many an(prenominal) disadvantaged people hoping to make an unprejudiced living? This may be only speculation of the could and could nots of what may happen, but proficient food for thought.What are the consequences of these unethical behaviors? Accountants can be held presumable for damages to clients and to thirdly parties, he may also be found sadly liable for misdemeanor of securities, tax, and other laws. For criminal violations, he may be fined and imprisoned. outlaw(a) conduct may also result in the subject of an injunction, which bars him from doing the same acts in the future. In addition, his wrongful conduct may be the subject of administrative minutes by the Securities and Exchange management and state licensing boards.An administrative proceeding may result in the revocation of an accountants independence to practice or the suspension from practice. eventually disciplinary proceedings may be brought against an accountant by professional societies such as the AICPA. Most states have statues lordly criminal penalties on accountants who willfully fudge financial statements or other reports in fillings under the state securities laws and who willfully pillage the state securities laws or aid and support criminal violations of these laws by others.Accountants have huge responsibilities to their clients and to society. As an accounting major, doing research for this paper has helped to open my eye to the many aspects of my think profession. I have realized that it is a very(prenominal) current profession, held in the highest think about by the public at large. I know that I must take my job and the organized religion instilled in me very seriously. I consent that this paper has tyro you to the pitfalls many certified public accountants face today, both with ethical standards and with impending educational requirements.