Business ethics

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

LO3: Critically reflect upon the impact of professional codes, laws and regulations and stakeholder values on financial decision-making.

LO4 Evaluate how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), ethics and sustainability influence financial decision making.

Assessment Brief:

You have recently joined a large accountancy firm [an organisation of your choice] as a senior auditor and your line manager has asked you to prepare a business report to be read by a group of international business investors who are concerned about the proliferation of accounting scandals relating to international firms which have been in the news. Members of the group are anxious about the ethics and professionalism in international financial sector, as well as the benefits and methods of ensuring compliance and accountability.

Your report will:

• Outline the context and purpose of professional codes in financial sector.
• Critically examine the laws and regulatory frameworks in relation to financial reporting, their purpose and why they are required.
• Critically reflect upon the impact of stakeholder values on financial decision-making.
• Evaluate how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) influence financial decision making.
• Assess how ethics and sustainability affects financial results of a company.

Secondary Research Level HE6 – It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include three refereed academic journals and five academic books.

Assessment Criteria

< 40% (Fail) Unsatisfactory Performance

There are deficiencies or omissions in the level of discussion and scope of the literature relating to ethics and professionalism in financial Sector. There is incomplete report, inaccurate citing and referencing showing limited research and study skills. The written style lacks fluency and comprehension. There is a poor grasp of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks and models. The work shows little or no analysis of the key issues, concepts and frameworks relating to company law. There is poor integration of these areas in relation to the question set.

40 to 49% (III Class) Work of Satisfactory Quality

The work demonstrates a basic understanding supported by only a limited discussion of the literature relating to ethics and professionalism in financial Sector. The report is coherent, although there are some omissions in the text in terms of the citing and referencing used revealing a rudimentary grasp of the research and study skills required. There is limited if any integration and analysis of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks and models relating to company law issues. There is poor reflection and evaluation of the key issues and themes introduced.

50 to 59% (IIii Class) Work of Good Quality

There is broad understanding supported by good discussion of the literature relating to ethics and professionalism in financial Sector. The report is fairly fluent, with appropriate citing and referencing displayed revealing an acceptable standard of the research and study skills required. There is integration and analysis of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks and models relating to company law issues. This is supported by elementary reflection and evaluation of the key issues and themes introduced.

60 to 69% (IIi Class) Work of Very Good Quality

The work demonstrates a very good understanding supported by a wide discussion of the literature relating ethics and professionalism in Financial Sector. The report is fluent and well written, with accurate citing and referencing displayed revealing an acceptable standard of the research and study skills required. There is clear integration and analysis of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks and models relating to company law issues. This is supported by thoughtful reflection and evaluation of the key issues and themes introduced.