Ethical Issues in Proposing GameRush, Inc: Upholding Professionalism - Essay Sample

Introduction

As an accounting professional, I choose to have a dissenting opinion regarding the proposed formation due to the ethical issues involved, their implications, and the probable response from my company. In this memorandum, I will present a discussion regarding the possible ethical issues and the required standards in my attempt to uphold accounting professionalism, standards regarding business formations, and the fundamental reason why the proposed establishment of the GameRush, Inc may not materialize effectively.

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The Potential Ethical Issues Involved and Their Implications

Research has demonstrated beyond peradventure that business formations like the one proposed in this case may be subject to weak leaning to ethical considerations and that there has been little concern on the effort towards non-compliance with ethical standards (Donaldson et al. 2014). The discussion hereunder presents some of the potential ethical issues likely to be faced in an attempt to form the GameRush, Inc.

Professional Competence

The first and perhaps the most important ethical issue that is likely to arise is professional competence (Stead et al. 2016). As an accountant, I profoundly recognize that the basis of my profession is maintenance and adherence to the high levels of professional competence in my line of duty. I am aware of the limitations associated with my job; and I usually take tasks that are in line with my expertise. Even though I am a CPA finalist, I also recognize the importance of ongoing education and training, mainly to remain professionally competent. Above all, it is essential to note that my profession not only requires but also demands that I should always use appropriate technical, scientific, administrative, and professional resources necessary for ensuring a high level of competence in my line of duty. Lastly, my profession requires that I should consult from other accounting professionals when necessary, to make sure that my work is always flawless. In regards to all these qualities and requirements, it is, therefore, crystal clear that my work philosophy is parallel to those of my friends because we have different professions. As a result, this may lead us into wrangles after forming the business. Even though all our jobs will be relevant in this business, and that everyone will have a role to play, I have a feeling that some members will consider their expertise is being underused. On the other side, Allice, who came with the whole of this idea, may feel that she deserves a more significant portion of the profit share.

Integrity

In the accounting profession, we are, to be honest, fair, and respectful to other colleagues. As a professional accountant, I recognize that it is unethical to act in a manner that jeopardizes or appear to be endangering colleagues' professional welfare. We are to conduct our affairs in a way that upholds confidence and trust, and that we should not make sentiments that are deceptive, false, or misleading in nature. I doest know what precautions my other friends got from their line of profession, but seemingly, we are not on the same track. I suspect that we may have different attitudes towards work, different levels of honesty, and unleveled emotional intelligence. These differences may result in chaos, mainly when one of us is to have acted in a manner that depicts a lack of integrity (Spence, 2013).

Respect for People's Dignity, Rights, and Diversity

In a workplace, respect for people's dignity, rights as well as diversity is a fundamental requirement for success. In a workplace, people should always strive to eliminate instances of bias, particularly those about gender, race, nationality, disability, marital status, health condition, age, and religion. Also, for a successful business, people must be more sensitive to the role, cultural, and individual differences. In non-compliance to the set rules by either some or all group members, the business will likely fall. But unlike my four friends who have no heavy domestic responsibility, I have to point out that the failure of the company may be a big blow to me since I also must pay for my spouse, who recently lost her job plus my two children. To add on those domestic issues, my two children go to a private school where I pay $15,000 for each on an annual basis. For these reasons, I choose not to place my current job on stake.

The Course of Action on the Aforementioned Ethical Issues

According to Coughlan (2015), a course of action works in helping people to resolve their ethical issues beginning with identifying the problem (as they have been defined herein for this case) and involving all parties concerned in the implementation process. According to the scholar, the process does not stop there; the parties involved must all monitor its progress and make any adjustments if deemed necessary. On the other hand, McDevitt et al. (2017) pointed out that in an attempt to find a solution to an ethical issue, particularly those associated with workplaces, there is a sense in which all parties involved must consider it useful to refer to a given framework.

Taking all these arguments into consideration, I would make the following suggestions towards finding solutions to the above-mentioned ethical issues. First, concerning professional competence, there ought to be rules and regulations put in place to ensure everyone performs their duty with the utmost professionalism. When allocating responsibilities, everyone must be assigned a task that is in line with their profession, this will encourage impressive performance by all parties, and everyone will want to shine (Lindorff, 2012). Concerning the issue of integrity, I am sure that putting documented rules and regulations to put people in check is not enough if there are no consequences associated with the same. I, therefore, suggest that the group ought to agree on the implications that will be faced by those who would have abused the laid principles. No business can thrive if without prioritizing members' integrity. In many instances, companies do collapse because its members are so corrupt. Thirdly, I would suggest that for the proposed business to be successful, there is a sense in which all parties must have respect for each other's dignity, rights, and diversity. All parties must embrace cultural diversity. In ensuring they embrace diversity, a competent leader should be chosen based on these values. Since we were classmates before joining universities, I am sure we all know each other well, and we know who is best at what. It is, therefore, from this longtime familiarity that we can choose the best leader who will ensure that no one will interfere with another member's fundamental rights or show disrespect to other forms of diversity, as mentioned above.

Conclusion

In a normal situation, ethical issues may appear challenging to resolve without following a given framework, and if all parties are not involved (Donaldson et al. 2014). Concerning the ethical issues outlined above, including the course of action described, I have a feeling that there is one crucial thing that appears to be a general solution to all the issues. That is, setting up the generally accepted rules to guide the behavior, social relationship, and individual performance in the proposed company. Most importantly, all parties must agree on the consequences that those who will go against the rules will face; otherwise, if there are no associated consequences, then I am sure members will willingly break the rules. In the attempt to implement this recommendation effectively, I suggest the laws and regulations must be put in a written form, and give to each member to read and digest. In a situation a member will be found to have gone against the rules, he/she will not have a feeling that any member is punishing him/her, but would rather see the consequence as a law he/she participated in it making. Most importantly, no one will be willing to break the rule in fear of the consequences

References

Coughlan, R. (2015). Codes, values, and justifications in the ethical decision-making process. Journal of Business Ethics, 59(1-2), 45-53.

Donaldson, T., Werhane, P. H., & Cording, M. (2014). Ethical issues in business (pp. 153-165). New Jersey.

Lindorff, M. (2012). The ethical impact of business and organizational research: The forgotten methodological issue?. Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 5(1).

McDevitt, R., Giapponi, C., & Tromley, C. (2017). A model of ethical decision making: The integration of process and content. Journal of Business ethics, 73(2), 219-229.

Spence, L. J. (2013). Does size matter? State of the art in small business ethics. Business ethics: a European review, 8(3), 163-174.

Stead, W. E., Worrell, D. L., & Stead, J. G. (2016). An integrative model for understanding and managing ethical behavior in business organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 9(3), 233-242.