EXPLORING THE ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ACCOUNTING STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Possessing the skill of ethical decision making is crucial for accounting professionals. This is so important that continuing education exploring ethics is required for CPAs to maintain their licensure. Despite the importance placed on ethics at the professional level, there is debate about when and where professionals should begin to develop ethical decision making. This study examines the differences in ethical decision-making for seasoned professionals and those that are beginning their accounting careers. By surveying both undergraduate and graduate accounting students along with accounting professionals, this study will help to determine whether ethics education should be introduced earlier in a student’s educational journey. These individuals were surveyed using a ten-question scenario-based quiz to evaluate their ethical reasoning. The undergraduate accounting students represent those that have received minimal ethics education, graduate students represent those who have received some ethics education, and professionals representing those who have developed experience in ethical decision-making. In addition to examining when ethics education should be introduced, the study also intends to provide broader insight into how ethics education can impact the accounting profession.