Ethics

Ethics Project – ACC 202

Assigned: 2/20/17

Date due: 3/5/17

Purpose: Ethics is an integral part of the accounting profession. Violations of ethical principles have resulted in billions of

dollars lost to shareholders. Students will be presented with a framework for making ethical decisions and then

will be asked to apply the framework to a case study.

Details: Students will prepare a memo based on the information in the Ethical Issue presented in Chapter 5 of the text

starting on page 305 focusing on the ethical evaluation. Students will choose an ethical framework and evaluate

the scenario using that framework. The memo should be between one and two pages, written in a professional

manner, and use a standard memo format. Any sources used should be properly cited and indicated as

referenced material using any commonly used format (MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian, etc.).

Submission: The final work product will be submitted to TurnitIn (on Blackboard)

Resources: Below are a sample of resources to help you get the most out of this assignment.

 Memo formats

 The OWL at Purdue: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/590/1/

 Writing help

 The Saunders Writing Center PH 323

 Ethical guidelines

 Brown University Ethical Decision Making: https://www.brown.edu/academics/science-and-technology-

studies/framework-making-ethical-decisions

Rubric:

Unacceptable

Acceptable

Exemplary

Introduction – Prepares a well - organized introduction. Identifies and describes the ethical issue(s).

Introduction is not well organized. Does not identify or describe the ethical issue(s). 0 - 5 points

The introduction is not well organized. Identifies the issue(s), but does not describe the issue(s). 6 - 8 points

The introduction is well organized. Identifies and describes the ethical issue(s). 9-10 points

Identifies the relevant stakeholders and the possible consequences to each – external and internal stakeholders.

Identifies a limited number of affected stakeholders and does not discuss the possible consequences on each. 0 - 5 points

Identifies a few affected stakeholders and minimal discussion about the possible consequences on each. 6 - 8 points

Identifies many of the affected stakeholders and discusses the possible consequences on each. 9-10 points

Specifies the options for alternative courses of action considering economic, legal, and ethical standpoints. Also, understands the impact of each option on the stakeholders.

Does not provide any alternative courses of action. 0-5 points

Identifies only limited options that do not address all three (economic, legal, and ethical) standpoints. 6 - 8 points

Summary is well written and supplies multiple courses of action that consider all three standpoints. 9-10 points

Makes a Decision

Gives no logical answer or treats issue with no seriousness. 0 points

Provides a decision with little reasoning to support the decision. 1-4 points

Gives well-reasoned decision. 5-6 points.

Clarity of writing, grammar and spelling.

Poor quality writing throughout. 0-5 points.

Inconsistent quality. 6 - 8 points

High quality writing throughout. 9-10 points

Proper Memo format

Not in proper format 0 points

In proper format 4 points