Taylor’s Dilemma: A Case for Ethical Leadership

Jan Taylor Morris; Jason Porter

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Taylor’s Dilemma: A Case for Ethical Leadership

Jan Taylor Morris

Sam Houston State University, USA

Jason Porter

Washington State University, USA

Volume 16: 2019 pp. 267-274: ABSTRACT

This instructional case explores ethical and leadership issues within the context of public accounting. The case examines one senior manager in a public accounting firm who failed to receive an anticipated promotion to partner and the resulting discussions and actions that follow. The primary objectives of the case are (1) to increase students’ awareness of select ethical issues commonly faced by auditors as they attempt to serve the public trust, their clients, and their firms, and (2) to consider their own value system in relation to the issues identified in this case. The secondary learning objectives are to (1) increase students’ knowledge of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct / IESBA Code of Ethics, (2) encourage consideration of the impact of ethical and unethical behaviors by auditors on others within the profession, and (3) illustrate how leadership within an organization influences the behaviors of others.