Question

Milton Mende purchased the Star Midas Mining Co., Inc., for $6,500. This Nevada corporation was a shell corporation with no assets. Mende changed the name of the corporation to American Equities Corporation (American Equities) and hired Bernard Howard to prepare certain accounting reports so that the company could issue securities to the public. In preparing the financial accounts, Howard (1) made no examination of American Equities' books; (2) falsely included an asset of more than $700,000 on the books, which was a dormant mining company that had been through insolvency proceedings; (3) included in the profit and loss statement companies that Howard knew American Equities did not own; and (4) recklessly stated as facts things of which he was ignorant. Did Howard act unethically

Answer 1

Yes. Howard acted unethically as a professional accountant.

Step-by-step explanation:

With the stated actions of Howard, it is very clear that he did not follow the ethics of his profession. To act ethically as an accountant, Howard should have observed the ethical conducts expected of a professional account. They include observing integrity, confidentiality, and objectivity, demonstrating professional competence and due care, and acting in the public interest. Through his stated reckless assertions, misrepresentation of facts and figures, and lack of due professional care, Howard demonstrated the highest form of unethical behavior.