Read the following scenarios and answer the questions that follow:

i) A young graduate has just been employed as the Receivable Officer, responsible for billing of customers, maintaining customers’ accounts and preparing monthly control accounts. Management has found out that the officer has not been straightforward and honest in the discharge of his duties. He was found to be “cutting corners” and connives with the customers to understate their bills and accounts in order to enrich himself. Management has fired him sadly.

ii) You met a friend in church recently and she was looking very flashy, showing clearly that she got a good job. Upon a short conversation, she indicated that she is blessed to be in charge of the payroll of the company. In fact, she told you exactly how much your four other mates working in that organisation are earning. She went further to inform you that the new car driven by Jojo, a popular mate back in school, was a loan of GHc100,000 he took from a bank and the bank is currently taking all his salaries to settle the loan over five years period.

iii) A colleague of yours at work has just been fired recently. The reason for the dismissal is that he does not have good knowledge of accounting and could not operate the accounting softwares he has indicated on his CV that he is capable of operating proficiently. In addition, he failed to demonstrate his knowledge in taxation as he cannot prepare the required tax returns submission to Ghana Revenue Authority.

Required:

Using what you have learnt about the fundamental principles of the Code of Ethics of IFAC from the ISW organised by the Department of Accounting, advise each of the three persons involved in each of the three scenarios. Your responses should include, but not limited to:
• The fact of the case
• The ethical principle involved
• Resolution of the issue.