As per the Virginia State board this course expires on 02/01/2027.
A CPA is challenged in today's work world to not only serve his/her client or employer but also to protect the public interest by ensuring that there is transparency in financial reporting or there is fair administration of the tax laws. In balancing the two interests, a CPA may find him or herself in an ethical dilemma. This course covers not only basic ethical frameworks, but also specific rules from the Virginia Statutes and Administrative Code as well as the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct governing CPA practice and responsibilities. To illustrate these rules, this course will examine a number of real-life case studies.
Publication Date: January 2026
Topics Covered
- Virginia Board of Accountancy Segment
- Framework of Ethical Thought
- Codes of Conduct for CPAs
Learning Objectives
- Identify Virginia licensees ethics of professional accounting as CPAs
- Recognize the intent of the Virginia Administrative Code and Regulations and the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and/or specific state board rules in the performance of professional accounting services/work, not to adhere to the mere technical compliance of such rules
- Recognize how to assist the Virginia CPA in applying ethical judgment in interpreting the rules and determining public interest. Public interest should be placed ahead of self-interest, even if it means a loss of job or client
- Describe the Virginia Administrative Code and Regulations and the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and their implications for persons in a variety of practices
Level
Basic
Instructional Method
Self-Study
NASBA Field of Study
Regulatory Ethics (2 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.