Q.1 Discuss the issues raised in Case C13-7 from
financial reporting and ethical perspectives.
Answer : Financial
reporting :includes all financial
communication from the business to outside users including press
releases, shareholder minutes, management letters and analysis,
auditor reports, and even the notes of the financial statements.
Basically, anything that can convey financial information to the
public is considered financial reporting of some kind.
ethical perspective
: is the lens an individual uses to view a problem.
Several ethical perspectives have been around for centuries,
including utilitarianism, natural law, consideration of rights and
justice, virtue ethics, and the idea of social contract.
Issues raised in case C13-7
from financial reporting and ethical perspectives :
- Asset Misappropriation : This term
includes using organizational funds for things other than the
organization. In the healthcare industry, this could include many
things.For example, a hospital nurse could be using hospital
supplies to take home to care for a loved one. As ethical as this
may sound, it is damaging to the financial reporting side of the
organization.An executive within the company could also be taking
funds and embezzling for his or her own gain. Without noticing,
this creates an intricate web of missing funds that can mean
disaster for the organization.From an ethical standpoint, any
supplies, money, or other items taken from the industry is stealing
from the patients that need it most. This means creating a downward
spiral of events from a monetary loss to ultimate organizational
failure.
- Disclosure Concerns :Although it is an issue
to overly disclose, it is also an issue to disclose too little. If
a loss happens, they may choose to hide this loss from potential
investors to create a facade of success.This type of disclosure is
unlawful and dangerous.An organization that is deceitful in its
disclosure may lose more than one investor at a time. This creates
less funding for the organization and an almost stat loss of care
to patients.If an organization is honest and ethical about their
loss, they may lose an investor. But, they may be able to keep the
investors they currently have, putting out a rapid fire in the
end.It is important for financial representatives to keep the
organization’s information under wraps.Yet, certain information
that could damage the relationship with an investor or lead to an
event should be disclosed.
- Executive Focusing : Another ethical concern
for the healthcare industry lies in the organization becoming too
focused on the executive.For example, an executive within an
organization that is given too much power may use this power to
pressure the financial reporting and analysis team.From accountants
to billing specialist, the team may feel as if they need to fake
numbers or not disclose certain information due to the ideation of
the executive.These executives are then free to spend fake money on
purchases outside of the organization and to gain investors to
create a rise in their income and power.
- No Direct Chain of Command :Every industry
must have a proper chain of command in order to provide the best
financial reporting and analysis.Organizations within the
healthcare industry should strive to have command chains that are
effective and highly trained. If an employee notices a problem
within the organization’s reporting, it should be reported and
follow this chain to ensure something is done.Within a chain of
command, financial reporting and analysis issues can go unnoticed,
creating further damage to the organization’s assets.