Key to Maintaining Objectivity and Professional Skepticism (Currently Unavailable)

Author: Lynn Fountain

Every professional faces situations and scenarios where they feel their independence and objectivity related to an work issue is impaired. They may feel pressured by management to minimize their observations, or in some cases, look the other way. When these situations occur professionals are faced with the dilemma of What do I do?" or "How do I handle this situation?". These are the types of scenarios for which our university programs and business schools do not adequately prepare us. Experience can often be a good teacher. However, all individuals should be armed with some basic concepts that will prepare them to choose the right path when such difficult situations occur.

Publication Date: February 2020

Designed For
Accounting, Finance, Treasury professionals, Internal auditors, Professionals considering the role of internal audit, Executive management, Board members and Audit Committee members, and Legal and Compliance professionals

Topics Covered

• Executing the role of objectivity and independence
• Challenges in execution
• Professional skepticism
• Reality of independence and objectivity
• Legality versus ethics
• Techniques to enable independence
• Techniques to assist with objectivity
• Actions to take when management challenges objectivity and professional skepticism

Learning Objectives

• Identify the requirements of professional skepticism
• Describe the rules defining independent roles
• Differentiate between legality and ethics
• Identify the top five techniques to execute independence
• Describe the top five techniques to assist when employing objectivity
• Recognize what to do when management challenges you
• Recognize undue influence and how it applies

Level
Basic

Instructional Method
Self-Study

NASBA Field of Study
Regulatory Ethics (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
None

Advance Preparation
None