Minnesota CPAs face increasing ethical challenges as they navigate client expectations, employer pressures, regulatory change, and the profession’s overarching obligation to protect the public interest. This course delivers a practical, engaging exploration of ethical reasoning, the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, and Minnesota’s state-specific ethics rules governing CPA practice.
Through real-world case studies and discussion-based analysis, participants will examine dilemmas involving conflicts of interest, integrity, due care, independence, confidentiality, client records, public interest responsibilities, and use of the CPA designation. Attendees will walk away with actionable frameworks and confidence to apply ethical principles across a wide range of professional scenarios.
Publication Date: March 2026
Designed For
This course is ideal for Minnesota CPAs and accounting professionals who must comply with state ethics requirements or who routinely navigate ethical issues in professional practice.
Topics Covered
- Ethics, morals, values, and the ‘clean hands’ dilemma
- Case studies: real-world ethical conflicts and lessons learned
- AICPA Code of Professional Conduct: principles, structure, and application
- Minnesota Board rules governing CPA responsibilities
- Public interest obligations and decision-making frameworks
- Use of CPA designation and practice privilege rules
- Independence, integrity, objectivity, and due care requirements
- Confidentiality, client records, and permissible disclosures
- Firm names, advertising, and discreditable acts under Minnesota rules
- Consequences of ethics violations and Board enforcement actions
Learning Objectives
- Determine the appropriate course of action when ethical responsibilities conflict with employer or client expectations
- Explain the CPA’s duty to the public and why it supersedes client or organizational interests
- Describe the ethical obligations outlined in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and Minnesota’s CPA rules
- Recognize discreditable acts, independence threats, confidentiality requirements, and standards of due care applicable in Minnesota
- Apply structured ethical reasoning frameworks to resolve professional dilemmas
- Describe Minnesota-specific rules related to practice privileges, advertising, client records, and professional conduct
Level
Basic
Instructional Method
Self-Study
NASBA Field of Study
Regulatory Ethics (4 hours)
Program Prerequisites
None
Advance Preparation
None
Instructor
Allison McLeod
Allison M. (Yee) McLeod, LL.M., JD, CPA, is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. She received Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctor degrees from Baylor University, and a Master of Legal Letters (LL.M.) degree specializing in Taxation from the Southern Methodist University School of Law. Professor McLeod has also studied British and Art History at the University of Sussex, England.
Prior to joining the UNT faculty in 2010, Professor McLeod held the position of Director of Tax Planning and IRS Audits for Lehigh Hanson North America, a major manufacturer of cement, aggregates and other building materials. Her practice included both federal and international tax planning. Professor McLeod also spent thirteen years specializing in Tax Planning with the JCPenney Corporation, Inc., and two years with Deloitte & Touche in Dallas.
Professor McLeod has taught at the university level graduate classes on Ethics, Tax Research, Multi-jurisdictional Taxation, Individual Taxation and Corporate Income Tax in the past and currently teaches Financial Accounting and Ethics. She has also taught at the UNT College of Law as adjunct faculty. Since 2011, Professor McLeod has been honored to present live and on-line ethics CPE classes to CPAs across the nation. She also serves as an expert witness in accounting malpractice cases and maintains a small private practice serving individuals and small businesses. Professor McLeod has also taught at the University of North Texas College of Law as adjunct faculty. She has served on the Professional Ethics Committee of the Texas Society of CPAs and the AICPA CPA Exam REG Subcommittee.
Professor McLeod is licensed to practice law by the State Bar of Texas since 1992 and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1993.