As the chief financial officer of Fones for U Ltd, you discover a significant misstatement that overstated assets in this year's financial statements. The misleading financial statements are contained in the company's annual report, which is about to be issued to banks and other creditors. After much thought about the consequences of telling the managing director, Jo Aldridge, about this misstatement, you gather your courage to report this concern. But Jo says, 'What they don't know won't hurt them. But just so we set the record straight, we'll adjust next year's financial statements for this year's misstatement. We can fix it next year when we make more profit. Just don't make that kind of mistake again.'
A) Who are the stakeholders in this situation?
B) What are the ethical issues and principles at stake?
C) What would be your course of action, as chief financial officer?
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As the controller of Take No Prisoners Perfume Company, you discover a misstatement that overstated net income in the prior year’s financial statements. The misleading financial statements appear in the company’s annual report, which was issued to banks and other creditors less than a month ago. After much thought about the consequences of telling the president, Jeb Wilde, about this misstatement, you gather your courage to inform him. Jeb says, “Hey! What they don’t know won’t hurt them. But, just so we set the record straight, we’ll adjust this year’s financial statements for last year’s misstatement. We can absorb that misstatement better in this year than in last year anyway! Just don’t make such a mistake again.”
Instructions
Who are the stakeholders in this situation?
What are the ethical issues in this situation?
What would you do as a controller in this situation?
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