Gaining Credibility

Even though credibility is established by receiving CPA/MBA certificates, performing ethically is the most valued form for accountants. An interview with Joseph Hostetler, a CPA in an upper management position at Kissimmee Utility Authority, explains the importance of ethical behavior and how a member can achieve true acquisition within the discourse once a bad reputation is established. Hostetler explains that there are many ways employees can reestablish themselves with higher credibility. If an employee wants to become closer to the discourse, he/she can obtain a CPA certificate or go back to school to get an MBA certificate. These certificates teach an accountant how to gain upper management qualities and will be respected by the members in the field. On the other hand, the credibility of these certificates is disregarded if employees display unethical behavior anytime in their career. There will always be that stain on their resume, and it is hard to recover credibility because of the importance of ethics in this field (Hostetler). An example of this within the accounting discourse would be if auditors give false reviews to investors of a company’s financial health because of personal relationships with their clients.

Not only does unethical behavior result in losing credibility within accounting, but serious repercussions will occur. An example includes the Bernie Madoff scandal in 2008 where he tricked investors out of 64.8 billion dollars through the largest Ponzi scheme ever. He was sentenced to 150 years in jail including 170 billion dollars in restitution. Even if jail time is minimal, trying to find a job after being arrested is extremely difficult. Employers look for honest employees and having a criminal record is a double negative.