Kansas: Kansas Professional Ethics (Course Id 1366)

• Who is this course for?
  This course is for Kansas CPAs who are required to complete a 2-hour ethics course to meet their state's Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirement.

• What is this course about or what problem does this course solve?
  The course focuses on the ethical responsibilities of Kansas CPAs, covering both the Kansas Accountancy Regulations (Article 5) and the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, helping ensure compliance with professional standards.

• How can the knowledge from this course be used?
  CPAs can apply the ethical principles and regulatory standards learned in this course to maintain integrity, independence, and professionalism in their accounting practices.

• Why is this course important to a CPA or Accountant?
  It fulfills the Kansas ethics CPE requirement and supports ethical decision-making, reducing the risk of violations and promoting public trust in the profession.

• When is this course relevant or timely?
  The course is updated as of December 2024 and is relevant for any CPE cycle where Kansas CPAs need to fulfill their ethics education requirement.

• How is a course like this consumed or used?
  This self-study course is provided in text format with review questions and a final exam that must be completed within one year with a passing score of at least 70%.

This 2-hour course is designed to meet the 2-hour Ethics CPE requirement for Kansas CPAs. It provides an overview of ethical thought along with the core values of the CPA profession. The code of professional conduct regulations promulgated under Article 5 of the Kansas Accountancy Regulations are covered in detail. The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct is also covered in detail. Case studies are utilized throughout the course to emphasize material. 

NASBA QAS - Text - NASBA Registry - 1366

Course Learning Objectives

• Recognize ethics from an overall and professional perspective
• Identify the ethical standards contained in Article 5 of the Kansas Accountancy Regulations
• Identify the ethical standards contained in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct

Chapter 1 - Kansas Professional Ethics

Ethics Background

Morals

What is Ethics?

The Relationship of Morals and Ethics

Professional Ethics

Legal versus Ethical

Why Should We Study Professional Ethics?

Accounting Ethics

Ethical Core Foundations for CPAs

Ethical Dilemmas

Review Question

Kansas Accountancy Regulations, Article 5 - CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Part I.--DEFINITIONS, INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY AND OBJECTIVITY, COMMISSIONS AND REFERRAL FEES, CONTINGENT FEES

Part II - GENERAL STANDARDS, COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS, ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Part III.--RESPONSIBILITIES TO CLIENTS

Part IV.--OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRACTICES

Case Study - Integrity and Objectivity

Case Study – Contingent fees

Case Study – Advertising and firm name

Review Question

The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct

About the Code

Preface

Part 1 – Members in Public Practice

Rule 1.100 Integrity and Objectivity

Case Study – Married Tax Clients Divorcing

1.130 Preparing and Reporting Information

1.180 – Responding to Noncompliance with Laws and Regulations

1.200 - Independence

Review Questions

Rule 1.300—General Standards Rule

1.310 Compliance with Standards Rule

1.320 Accounting Principles Rule

1.400.001 Acts Discreditable Rule

1.510.001 — Contingent Fees Rule

1.520.001—Commissions and referral fees Rule

1.600.001 —Advertising and other forms of solicitation

1.700.001— Confidential client information rule

1.800.001—Form of organization and name rule

Review Questions

Part 2 – Members in Business

2.100.001 – Integrity and Objectivity Rule

2.130.030 Obligation of a Member to His or Her Employer’s External Accountant

2.170.010 – Pressure to Breach the Rules

2.180.010 Responding to Noncompliance With Laws and Regulations

2.300.001 — General standards rule

2.310.001—Compliance with standards rule

2.320.001—Accounting principles rule

Case Study - The Company with Excess Reserves

2.400.001 Acts Discreditable Rule

2.400.070 Confidential Information from employment or volunteer activities

Part 3 – Other Members

3.400.001 - Acts discreditable rule

3.400.070 Confidential Information from employment or volunteer activities

Glossary