Utah: A Basic Ethics Guidebook for Utah CPAs (Video) (Course Id 2860)

• Who is this course for?
  This course is designed for Utah CPAs and accounting professionals who need Continuing Professional Education (CPE), including those providing assurance, attest, compilation, or tax services.
• What is this course about or what problem does this course solve?
  This course explains ethical frameworks, the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, and Utah-specific laws, administrative rules, and professional conduct requirements to help CPAs address ethical dilemmas while balancing client responsibilities with protection of the public interest.
• Where can the knowledge from this course be used?
  The knowledge from this course can be applied in professional accounting environments where Utah CPAs perform accounting, assurance, attest, compilation, financial reporting, or tax-related services governed by Utah regulations and professional ethics standards.
• Why is this course important to a CPA or Accountant?
  This course is important because it helps CPAs and accountants apply ethical judgment, understand Utah-specific professional conduct requirements, and determine appropriate actions that uphold both the intent of ethical rules and the public interest in professional accounting services.
• When is this course relevant or timely?
  This course is relevant whenever Utah CPAs need to maintain ethical compliance, satisfy ongoing CPE requirements, understand current Utah regulatory expectations, or navigate ethical issues arising in modern accounting and tax practice.
• How is a course like this consumed or used?
  This course is completed as a QAS self-study video and text-based training program that includes review questions and a final exam requiring a minimum passing score of 70% to earn CPE credit.

A CPA is challenged in today’s work world to not only serve his/her client or employer but also to protect the public interest by ensuring that there is transparency in financial reporting or there is fair administration of the tax laws.  In balancing the two interests, a CPA may find him or herself in an ethical dilemma. This course covers not only basic ethical frameworks, but also specific rules from the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, and the Utah State Code, Administrative Rules and Code of Professional Conduct.  These sources govern the practice and responsibilities of Utah CPAs. It concludes with a section on how a CPA can put his or her ethics into action.

Course Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, the participant will be able:

1. To apply the ethics of professional accounting as CPAs through the analysis of case studies involving both actual situations and hypothetical facts.
2. To apply ethical judgment in interpreting the rules and determining public interest. Public interest should be placed ahead of self-interest, even if it means a loss of job or client.
3. To analyze and apply the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and Utah law that pertain to CPAs licensed to practice in the state of Utah. Students will become familiar with the Utah State Code, Administrative Rules and Code of Professional Conduct, and the Policies adopted by the Board currently in effect and how the statutes, rules, and policies pertain to them. 
4. To determine the course of action that would uphold the intent of the rules in the performance of professional accounting services/work, not just to adhere to the mere technical compliance of such rules.
5. To review and discuss the rules and their implications for persons in a variety of practices, including: