The Ethics for Washington CPAs course meets the four-hour ethics CPE requirement for CPAs licensed in the state of Washington. It covers the regulations with specific application to the practice of public accountancy in Washington State. The professional conduct section covers the Washington State Board of Accountancy rules pertaining to ethics and prohibited practices (WAC 4-30-040 through 4-30-058) and the current AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. Key comparisons are made between the AICPA Code and the Washington Rules. Examples and case studies are used to illustrate the most important rules and interpretations.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Describe the different principles contained within the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
Specify the different types of harassment.
Describe the types of discreditable acts stated in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
Explain the accountant's obligations related to the release of confidential information.
Specify the policies that may apply to the release of confidential information.
Identify the characteristics of false or misleading promotional efforts.
Describe the obligations of the accountant in relation to the delivery of records to a client.
Specify the obligations of the accountant in regard to conflicts of interest.
Describe the different types of threats to an accountant's ability to comply with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
Specify the actions that a licensee does not have to report to the Board.
Recall the content of the Board's integrity and objectivity rule.
Recall the enforcement actions that must be reported to the Board.
Specify the entities whose rules, regulations, and professional standards a licensee must comply with.
Specify the Board's restrictions on advertising by licensees.
Identify the naming requirements for accounting firms.
Recall the situations in which a peer review is (and is not) required.
State the documentation requirements for continuing professional education in Washington.
Identify the different types of discipline that the Board can impose on licensees.
Major Topics
AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
Ethical Conduct
Washington Accountancy Board Standards
