TASK
Answer the following questions using your own words…
- According to police reports, a Gainesville, Florida, CPA was arrested for engaging in sexual assault. This story generated substantial publicity , especially in northern Florida . Despite the heinous nature of these crimes, there is no evidence whatsoever that the tax accounting services performed by him or staff members at his tax preparation service are sub- standard .
- Should this CPA’s professional license be sus- pended or revoked?
- Assume that he is convicted or pleads guilty to these crimes . Would your answer be different ?
- In a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Price Waterhouse, CPAs v. Hopkins, a senior accountant was denied a promotion to partner at a major CPA firm because, according to one evaluation, she needed to “walk more femininely, talk more femininely, dress more femininely, wear make-up, have her hair styled, and wear jewelry.” Others expressed more general criticisms that she was rude, impatient, and excessively demanding. When Ms. Hopkins sued under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the CPA firm defended its actions, claiming that Ms. Hopkins’ overly aggressive personality gave it sufficient grounds for denying her a promotion. Did the CPA firm commit sex discrimination?
- A staff accountant with a large corporation wrote a book in which he proudly admits that, as tax deadlines approached, he “popped illegal amphetamines” and “frankly was stoned” when he was preparing the company’s tax returns. He claims that his use of unprescribed drugs enhanced his ability to get his tasks completed. Were this accountant’s actions discreditable under the Code of Conduct? Were his statements discreditable?
- An unmarried, gay couple recently attempted to rent an apartment from a landlord who happens to be a CPA. The CPA told them that they would make “wonderful tenants,” but she could not rent to them because of her “deep religious convictions.” The prospective tenants sued the CPA, and the court held that the CPA violated applicable anti-discrimination laws. Did the CPA violate the Code of Conduct?
- A partner at a major CPA firm once confided that “it’s simple…we like to hire pretty women. Our clients generally are middle-aged men and they enjoy being around pretty women.”
- Did this partner admit to a discreditable act?
- Would your answer be the same if the partner simply had said that they like to hire “good looking people because when “our people look good, we look good?”
- If you are a member of the AICPA, do you have a duty to report this act to appropriate AICPA officials?
