Fred Smith, an accounting student, set up an accounting and taxation practice offering services to the public while still a student. Many friends sought Fred's services for taxation advice. Fred is not a registered tax agent and has completed the tax module in his professional program.
The ethical issues are that Fred is offering professional accounting and taxation services to the public as a student, and is not a registered tax agent as required. The stakeholders affected are Fred's clients who could be receiving improper advice. Fred has likely breached the fundamental principles of competence and due care under the professional code of ethics by offering services he is not qualified to provide as a non-registered student. The professional bodies should require Fred to cease offering public accounting and tax
Fred Smith, an accounting student, set up an accounting and taxation practice offering services to the public while still a student. Many friends sought Fred's services for taxation advice. Fred is not a registered tax agent and has completed the tax module in his professional program.
The ethical issues are that Fred is offering professional accounting and taxation services to the public as a student, and is not a registered tax agent as required. The stakeholders affected are Fred's clients who could be receiving improper advice. Fred has likely breached the fundamental principles of competence and due care under the professional code of ethics by offering services he is not qualified to provide as a non-registered student. The professional bodies should require Fred to cease offering public accounting and tax
Fred Smith, an accounting student, set up an accounting and taxation practice offering services to the public while still a student. Many friends sought Fred's services for taxation advice. Fred is not a registered tax agent and has completed the tax module in his professional program.
The ethical issues are that Fred is offering professional accounting and taxation services to the public as a student, and is not a registered tax agent as required. The stakeholders affected are Fred's clients who could be receiving improper advice. Fred has likely breached the fundamental principles of competence and due care under the professional code of ethics by offering services he is not qualified to provide as a non-registered student. The professional bodies should require Fred to cease offering public accounting and tax
Instructions: Your manager has assigned you the following ethical dilemma task. Please review the background information and use this workpaper to record your responses in the blue boxes. Remember to complete the workflow section here.
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Ethical dilemma – Background Information
Fred Smith is an accounting student who is also a student member of a
professional accounting body. Whilst studying, Fred set up an accounting and taxation practice offering services to the general public. Many of Fred’s friends have sought his services for taxation advice and the business is going well with enough profit to cover his study and living costs. Fred is not a registered tax agent.
Fred has recently completed the tax module in the professional development program for the professional body.
Identify and describe the ethical issue(s)
Identify the stakeholder(s) that are affected by Fred’s actions
Has Fred’s actions breached any of the ethical principles under APES 110: Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants? i. If your answer is yes, identify the principle(s) that have been breached. What course of action could Fred have taken to avoid this breach? ii. If your answer is no, provide a statement to support your decision
Provide a recommendation on how the accounting professional bodies