Question 1

If I found myself in a situation similar to that faced by Suzette, I would try to take the appropriate course of action. In this case, it would be informing a direct supervisor on the rumors that were doing rounds. I would have used a similar approach like the one Suzette used. Sending an anonymous message would have been appropriate given the situation at hand. Paula feared the consequences that would accrue in case it was found that they were the ones that snitched on Alex and Matt’s activities. There was no way of telling that if Suzette approached the supervisor in person, the information could not be traced back to them. Sending an anonymous message is the best thing to do as it leaves the company to conduct its investigations without knowing where the tip came from. This is something that most whistleblowers do due to the fear of the negative consequences that might accrue to them.

Question 2

I believe it was appropriate for Suzette to report the alleged theft ring to a store manager. Reporting on the alleged theft gives the company the opportunity to conduct adequate investigations to see whether the allegations being leveled were true. It would have been unethical for Suzette not to report the rumored theft ring. The professional code of ethics for accountants requires them to evaluate any threats that are in compliance with the fundamental principles that the accountants know. The issue of the theft was a threat to the company’s financials and other operations. Reporting the issue also helps Suzette to maintain a moral responsibility to her work. The moral conscience usually works to tell people whether they are doing something good or bad. Keeping silent would only lead Suzette in violating her moral conscience.

Question 3

Despite the accounting profession being recognized as having one of the strongest and most rigorously enforced ethical codes, I do not believe that accounting majors have a greater responsibility compared to other business majors when it comes to behaving ethically. Every professional should be behaving ethically at all times. Ethics are more about an individual’s moral judgments regarding what is right or wrong. Employees should always work towards actualizing what is regarded as being good. Exercising ethical behavior can amount to significant benefits to the business by helping in customer retention, ensuring employees’ happiness and attracting investors among other things.

Question 4

Instituting a comprehensive inventory management mechanism:  This mechanism would involve a periodical stock checking. Performing inventory is never regarded as a fun thing, but it is necessary in ensuring everything at the store is in order. Failure to do it gives the employees an opportunity to perpetrate theft.

Physical controls: Physical controls, in this case, involve the store instituting locks and cameras in its premises. This form of control helps in monitoring the activities of the employees hence restricting them from indulging in theft of inventory. The locks help to limit access when it comes to hard goods such as office supplies, equipment, inventory, retail or material items. The cameras monitor activities hence it becomes easier to detect aspects of theft.

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