An Initiative to Sensitise Accounting Students to Ethical Issues in Accounting

Associate Professor Philomena Leung
Steven Dellaportas, Lecturer
Professor Barry J Cooper
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

Executive Summary

The innovation focuses on the design, development and implementation of a compulsory final year subject "Ethical Issues in Accountancy" in an accounting undergraduate program. The subject aims to sensitise students to ethical issues in accounting practice. The authors believe that in order for students to be able to meet the challenge of the changing dynamics in the accounting profession and organisations, they will need to develop and internalise some key skills and competence. The subject helps to develop capabilities in terms of integrating key aspects of accounting knowledge, applying this knowledge under different circumstances, identifying the professional and ethical issues concerning various relationships, cultivating a sound base of principles and standards to analyse and evaluate situations and alternatives, and to arrive at informed and responsible judgements.

The subject development involves the defining of the body of knowledge perceived to be relevant to accounting students' ethical sensitivity, developing the interests and support of staff, and delivering it in such a way which is sensitive to the different background of students and their moral orientations. The implementation of a compulsory 'non-accounting' unit in an accounting program is not only difficult, but has been subject to many constraints such as staff development, resources, students' reactions, and so on. The subject "Ethical Issues in Accountancy" at the School of Accounting and Law, RMIT University, is the first and the only accounting ethics subject offered as a compulsory subject in an accredited undergraduate program in Australia.

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