4) A company urgently needs to repair its fire alarm system, which will cost $6,000. The two senior managers who
are authorized to approve payments over $5,000 are both on holiday and cannot be reached. The office manager is
only authorized to approve payments up to $5,000, but is concerned about the risks and safety factors involved, and
wants to have the repair work done immediately. She asks if the contractor could split up the repair bill into two
separate invoices, one for parts, and one for labor, so that she could approve both of them separately, and get the
work done right away. This action would not be considered unethical, as long as the office manager does not violate
specific company rules, or deliberately misrepresent the facts of the situation.
5) Around the end of the year, an accountant orders a shipment of inventory earlier than normally scheduled because
she knows that it will result in lower cost of goods sold, and thus a higher net income. This action would be
considered unethical because it is not a legitimate business transaction.
6) Which of the following statements describes the decision guidelines for an ethical decision?
A) Identify the ethical issue, specify alternatives, calculate the gain or loss on each alternative solution, and choose
the solution with the smallest gain or highest loss.
B) Identify the ethical issue, specify alternatives, consult the Code of Professional Conduct, and choose the solution
which has the greatest benefit to the largest number of people.
C) Identify the ethical issue, specify alternatives, assess the possible outcomes, and make the decision.
D) Identify the ethical issue, consult an external auditor, and make the decision.
7) If an accountant takes an action that is deliberately designed to improve the company’s financial results, it would
be considered unethical if:
A) it deliberately misrepresents facts.
B) the action was taken specifically for the purpose of showing higher income.
C) the action will require a special journal entry.
D) the action is not in the best interests of the business owners.