MSA 690 – FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS
Ethics Case – Individual Assignment This is an individual assignment that is due on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. A hard copy of
your report must be submitted. Assignment Overview: The written report/ paper should be between six to eight pages in length, doubled space
with 12 point font; plus an additional/ separate page with at least three references. The paper/ report must have normal margins (1 inch left, right, top and bottom)
with 12 point font, e.g.: Times Roman 12 pt. Give a minimum of 3 references that you have read in preparing the paper (NOT
WIKIPEDIA!) The references could include trade publications, newspapers (e.g.,
WSJ) and/or scholarly journals. You will do VOLKSWAGEN, A.G. Examine and discuss a current or ongoing issue(s) affecting this company that is a
result of ethical and regulatory issues/failures. Discuss the specific impacts these issues are having, or will have, on the company’s
reputation, share price, shareholders’ valuation and its financial statements. The issue(s)/ scandal do NOT have to be resolved; it can be ongoing. Measurable Learning Outcomes:
Use the following outline as a guide in structuring your report.
I. Introduction (15%) Brief summary of the company; what they do. Brief description of the industry the company is in. What products or service
they sell.
List the names of the top three executives; include the CFO. Just list their
names; you don’t have to go into details about them here.
Define and explain your understanding of ethics and ethical behavior.
Outline your understanding of acceptable ethical behavior in business and in
particular the Accounting profession.
Clearly and specifically identify the ethical issues and or regulatory issues
involved in the case/ company you selected.
Also explain why you see these as ethical or regulatory issues
If the issue is ongoing and a conclusion is not yet reached, you should clearly
state what you believe the ethical or regulatory issues are/ or will be and why. II. Analysis (65%) This is the bulk of your Paper o
o
o
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o Expand and explain why you think the issue(s) identified has relevance to
ethics. Why do you think the issue is ethical or regulatory?
Why and how do you think this issue will affect the company’s reputation,
stock price, market share, revenues, market share/ valuation and EPS?
Should revenue/ operating income and or cost be the main driving forces of
how to address this ethical issue identify?
Discuss the implications of these ethical and or regulatory issues on the
Accounting Profession.
Will these issues, although they may be specific to this case/ company, affect
Accountants going forward in carrying out their professional responsibilities? III. Conclusions (20%) Present a summary of your conclusions From your analysis give two specific recommendations.
