Exam 1: Introduction to Ethics

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An internal auditor may encounter various ethical decisions throughout their career, given their role in ensuring the integrity and accountability within an organization. One such ethical decision could involve the handling of confidential information.

For instance, suppose an internal auditor discovers evidence of significant financial fraud or embezzlement within the company. The ethical decision here would be how to proceed with this information. The auditor must decide whether to report the findings through the appropriate channels within the organization, such as to senior management or the audit committee, even if doing so might put their job at risk or create tension with colleagues.

Another ethical decision could arise if the internal auditor is pressured by management to overlook or downplay certain findings to present the company in a more favorable light. The auditor must then decide whether to maintain their professional integrity and report their findings accurately, or to succumb to the pressure and potentially be complicit in deceptive practices.

In both scenarios, the internal auditor must adhere to the ethical standards set forth by professional bodies such as The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), which includes objectivity, confidentiality, and competency. The auditor must balance their duty to the organization with the need to act in the public interest, which often involves protecting stakeholders from the consequences of financial misstatements or fraud.

Ultimately, the ethical decision for an internal auditor often comes down to choosing between doing what is right and what is easy or beneficial in the short term, and it requires a strong commitment to ethical principles and professional standards.