Betty has finally returned to her job as an accountant at Blue Chip Enterprises, a small family run hardware supplies chain, after a five-year extended maternity break. She has returned at an important time in the fiscal year: tax season. As she reviews the books for the period she was gone, she notices little anomalies which suggest that Blue Chip has been reporting much less income than they have actually made in the last two years. Troubled by this, Betty approaches the company owner, Mr.Asamoah, who comes clean and explains that he has been altering the books because of a personal financial slump that he fell into because of a gambling problem. Mr.Asamoah promises that from now on, now that Betty is back, he will no longer attempt to reduce his tax liability because he and the company are in a better place now. However, he also makes clear to Betty that he cannot afford to pay the back taxes and their penalties. If Betty reports the fraud to the tax authorities, the company may close. If it comes out that she did not report it, she will lose her license. Questions What are the main ethical issue(s) in this scenario? Set out the possible courses of action open to Betty Assess these alternatives using ethical theories familiar to you What should she do, and why?
Betty has finally returned to her job as an accountant at Blue Chip Enterprises, a small family
run hardware supplies chain, after a five-year extended maternity break. She has returned at an
important time in the fiscal year: tax season. As she reviews the books for the period she was
gone, she notices little anomalies which suggest that Blue Chip has been reporting much less
income than they have actually made in the last two years.
Troubled by this, Betty approaches the company owner, Mr.Asamoah, who comes clean and explains that he has been altering the books because of a personal financial slump that he fell into
because of a gambling problem. Mr.Asamoah promises that from now on, now that Betty is back, he will no longer attempt to reduce his tax liability because he and the company are in a better
place now. However, he also makes clear to Betty that he cannot afford to pay the back taxes
and their penalties.
If Betty reports the fraud to the tax authorities, the company may close. If it comes out that she
did not report it, she will lose her license.
Questions
- What are the main ethical issue(s) in this scenario?
- Set out the possible courses of action open to Betty
- Assess these alternatives using ethical theories familiar to you
- What should she do, and why?
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