Business Ethics

 
For this assignment you will work as a team on a case study analysis using the 8 step AMA case study process. You can find a detailed description of the 8 step process in this week’s readings. Choose a case that interests your group from the following website: https://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/cases.cfm Requirements for the assignment are as follows:
• Submit a 3-5 page case study using the AMA 8 step process (minimum page length; it is okay if you write more.)
• You must discuss each step of the AMA 8 step process. Ultimately, your case study will analyze the problem, discuss possible solutions, choose one solution as the best one, and devise a plan to implement the solution, as well as a back-up plan. Read the 8 steps carefully and be sure you address each step thoroughly in your case study.
• Standard APA format: 12 point font, double spaced, 1” margins, title page with the names of all group members, references page, header with title and page number
• 3rd person narrative voice only
• Use of THREE credible sources, IN ADDITION TO THE CASE. (One source will be for your visual information.) Correct citation of all source material with every source on the reference page also cited in-text. DO NOT FORGET to cite the case – both on the reference page and in-text.
• Include a maximum of two (2) quotations only if they are indispensable in getting across an important point. Paraphrase all other researched material. Cite both direct quotations and paraphrased material
• Write an abstract, which will concisely summarize the entire report.
• Create your own meaningful visual, which is required for this assignment. You may create more than one, but have no more than two visuals. These should be included at the end of the paper, after the References page. Visuals must be labeled properly – see the APA videos for help.
Include APA style level 1 headings. Level 1 headings should be centered, all words capitalized, and not bold or underlined with no extra spacing above or below. Use headings to help you separate the steps of the 8-step analysis process.

Cases in Business Ethics
Financial Reporting: Do Small Errors Need to be Reported?

Ben is a recent Santa Clara University graduate who has just started his first job in the finance department of a publicly traded Silicon Valley company. One of his main responsibilities is to create and distribute extensive Microsoft Excel reports that analyze costs and revenues for different divisions. Ben sends completed reports to his direct supervisor and the CFO. The CFO then uses the information to create the company’s financial reports, in addition to the strategy and forecasting formulation.
While Ben considers himself to be detailed-oriented, the complicated nature of and the sheer volume of data sometimes overwhelm him, which is exacerbated by their strict deadlines. While Ben works hard to prepare the reports as accurately as possible, he often finds errors after he has submitted his final report. When the errors are critical, he revises the reports and resends them. However, some of the errors are minor, in Ben’s estimation, and he doubts that the CFO will use or look at these figures. Ben is ambitious and wants to be promoted, but worries that if he frequently sends out revised reports he will appear unreliable and unqualified. At the same time, the potential consequences from inaccurate financial reports put the company, the CFO and CEO, and Ben himself at risk.
What actions should Ben take when he catches a mistake? Is he obligated to report every error, particularly since he works for a publicly traded company? Is there such a thing as a small error in this context?
Posted June 2013
Posted by Amanda Nelson, Hackworth Business Ethics Fellow ‘13
Sidney Estes said on Dec 9, 2014
In my opinion Ben should send out a revised version of the report as soon as he sees a mistake. Although this may hinder his promotion it will assure his boss that he is diligent and even though he is not perfect every time he is willing to find his mistakes and correct them. Also if Ben makes a mistake on something that he judges to be insignificant but in reality is of very important then it may end up costing his company, the CFO and his job. Also if Ben feels rushed then maybe he should address this issue with the CFO, He needs to let him know that to file an accurate report. Although it may make him be viewed as incompetent by his peers and maybe his boss it will show that he would rather do a thorough job when he could get away with doing a less than adequate job