This course provides an overview of the ethical imperatives surrounding accuracy and transparency in financial reporting, emphasizing the critical role these principles play in maintaining stakeholder trust and corporate integrity. This course also addresses the distinction between creative accounting practices and unethical financial reporting. By better understanding these concepts, CPAs will be better equipped with practical strategies to foster an ethical culture within their organizations and make informed, ethical decisions in complex financial scenarios.
Publication Date: February 2026
Topics Covered
- Introduction to Financial Reporting Ethics
- Overview of Ethical Principles
- The Role of CPAs in Ensuring Accuracy
- Transparency in Financial Reporting
- Ethical Challenges in Financial Reporting
- Tools and Techniques for Ensuring Accuracy and Transparency
- Creative Accounting vs. Ethical Reporting
- Creative Accounting Techniques
- Ethical Boundaries in Financial Reporting
- Consequences on Unethical Financial Reporting
- Best Practices for Ethical Financial Reporting
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the ethical principles that underpin accurate and transparent financial reporting
- Identify common ethical dilemmas faced by CPAs in financial reporting
- Recognize the potential consequences of unethical practices
- Differentiate between creative accounting practices and unethical financial reporting
Level
Overview
Instructional Method
Self-Study
NASBA Field of Study
Regulatory Ethics (2 hours)
Program Prerequisites
None
Advance Preparation
None
Instructor
Kelen Camehl
Kelen is a recognized author and reviewer of CPE courses and has authored over 145 courses (350 CPE credit hours) covering a range of accounting, auditing, financial reporting, regulatory, and ethics topics. His courses are available for purchase from many online CPE providers including the AICPA. Kelen remained involved in CPA exam content development for nearly 10 years and authored more than a thousand multiple choice questions for various sections of the CPA exam. He also serves as an Editorial Advisor for the AICPA’s "Journal of Accountancy".
Kelen has nearly 20 years of progressive finance and accounting experience. He currently serves as an Accounting Policy Advisor with HP. Prior to HP, he served in multiple accounting roles in the oil & gas industry with ConocoPhillips including technical accounting policy, SOX compliance, and internal audit. He also gained public accounting experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers, working with various clients in the energy, electric, power, gas, and utility sectors.