If you have not paid attention to the industry lately, CPA Ethics is a hot topic given the number and nature of corporate scandals and failures we have seen in recent years. But even before some of the most scandalous note, is always necessary to pass the CPA exam ethics, and take courses related to ethics as part of their ongoing professional continuing education (CPE).
Each State has its own requirement dictating the amount and nature of ethics related CPE a CPA must take each year. Ethics is one of the CPA exam requirements and such a hot topic that full blown regulations have been formed to govern corporate behavior. The two most notable compliance regulations of recent are the Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) and the Dodd-Frank Acts.
Though the CPA ethics exam does not guarantee inappropriate behavior, it is meant to provide the foundation that would likely curb inappropriate behavior. The CPA ethics exam is part of the CPA license requirements, required by most States after a CPA candidate has passed the CPA exam. Although many choose to take the ethics exam prior to the CPA exam (most States allow you to do that), I recommend waiting until after so that you can focus all your energy on passing the CPA exam, which is the tougher one. Continue Reading
