Accounting and Finance Ethics Case

ETHICS CASE

Ethics Case

From the onset, it would be prudent to note that I am of the opinion that Collins should immediately report the error he made to John Wallace. My reasoning is in this case largely founded on my inclination towards virtue ethics. To a large extent, this class of ethical theories indicates that persons ought to align his actions or behaviors with that which could be deemed virtuous. The all important question on this front would thus be; which course of action would be considered virtuous? As a virtuous person, would Collins be doing justice to himself by not notifying Wallace – knowing only too well that Wallace, and indeed the entire company, trusted his judgment in the implementation of the erroneous report? A virtuous person would not ignore a mistake that could end up hurting the company’s interests.

I am of the opinion that in this particular case, John Wallace ought to have scrutinized the report. This is more so the case given that he was aware of the fact that Collins is largely inexperienced and new to practical roles of this nature. For this reason, I feel that he is at fault in this case.

In the final analysis, it would be prudent to note that although I have never found myself in a similar situation before, I believe that the best course of action would be to report the issue to Wallace. This is what I would do. This is more so the case given that even if it could delay my elevation to a full-time position, it would provide a wonderful learning experience for myself – in the sense that there would be a lower chance of repeating a mistake of this nature in the future. Further, I would sleep better at night knowing that I did the right thing – hence my inclination towards virtue ethics.