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Ethics for Accountants Vermont #594926

Course Overview

Credit

Amount

CPA

Course Author: Beacon Hill Financial Educators Field of Study (CPA): Regulatory Ethics

Course Description

Course publication/revision date: This course was updated on 1/1/2026.

This course meets the 4-hour ethics CPE requirement for licensed CPAs in Vermont. It covers ethics in the accounting profession and the current edition of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.

Please consult the Vermont Board of Public Accountancy for further information.

This is a self-study (PDF) course and it meets the NASBA QAS standard.

You can take this course each renewal cycle as we update it annually.

Table of Contents

Section I. Current Ethical Issues in the Accounting Profession

Understanding Ethics	1
A Definition of Ethics	1
How do you act when no one is looking?	1
Special Topics: Managing Ethics	2
Analytical Model for Ethical Decisions	2
Fiduciary Standard of Care	3
Managing Conflicts of Interest When Providing a Range of Services	3
Special Topics: Regulatory Ethics	6
Artificial Intelligence and Accounting	6
AI in Accounting	6
Ethical Concerns	6
Professional Ethics and AI	7
Regulatory and Compliance Issues	7
Future Implications and Recommendations	8
Review Questions	9

Section II. AICPA Code of Professional Conduct10

Preface: Applicability and Principles of Professional Conduct	10
Applicability	10
The AICPA Principles	10
Preamble	10
Responsibilities Principle	11
The Public Interest Principle	11
Integrity Principle	11
Objectivity and Independence Principle	11
Due Care Principle	11
Scope and Nature of Services Principle	11
Using the Principles in Practice	12
Part One of the AICPA Code: Members in Public Practice	15
Rules Are Not Enough	15
Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas Using the Principles-Based Approach.	17
The AICPA Conceptual Framework	18
Identifying Ethical Conflicts	20
Rules of the Code of Professional Conduct	21
Independence, Integrity, and Objectivity: The Core Values of the Accounting Profession	21
1.100 Integrity and Objectivity Rule	21
Summary of Interpretations	22
1.200 Independence Rule	27
What Is Independence?	27
When Independence is Required	28
When Independence is not Required	28
When Independence is Impaired	28
Independence Rule as it Applies to Covered Members	29
Interpretations of the Independence Rule	30
Breach of an Independence Interpretation	41
1.300 General Standards	42
General Standards Rule	42
Compliance with Standards Rule	44
Accounting Principles Rule	45
1.400 Acts Discreditable Rule	46
Summary of Interpretations	46
Other Acts That Would Be Deemed Discreditable	50
1.500 Fees and Other Types of Remuneration	51
Contingent Fees Rule	51
Commissions and Referral Fees Rule	53
1.600 Advertising and Other Forms of Solicitation Rule	54
Summary of Interpretations	54
1.700 Confidential Client Information Rule	55
1.800 Form of Organization and Name Rule	57
Summary of Interpretations	57
Case Studies	60
1. Stop Thief! The Case of the Almost Stolen Clients	60
2. Oops! The Case of the Harmless Mistakes	61
3. Do You Have What It Takes? The Case of the Inadequate Accountant	63
4. The Last Shot at the Buzzer...Too Late! The Case of the Losing Lady	65
Review Questions	67

Appendix I. AICPA Glossary

Appendix II. Answers and Explanations to Review Questions81

Section I. Current Ethical Issues in the Accounting Profession	81
Section II. AICPA Code of Professional Conduct	83

Index	90
Endnotes	91

Course Details

Author: Beacon Hill Financial Educators

Publication/Revision Date: 1/1/2026

Course Exam Questions: 20 (multiple-choice)

Program Delivery Method: Self-Study (NASBA QAS Self-Study)

Available Formats of Course Text: Downloadable PDF, Printed/Mailed

Course Level, Prerequisites, and Advance Preparation Requirements

License	Course Level	Prerequisites	Advance Preparation Requirements
CPA	Overview	None	None

* This program is appropriate for professionals at all organizational levels.

Sponsor ID Numbers

National Registry of CPE Sponsors I.D.: 107615

State CPA Board Sponsor ID Numbers (where applicable)

Florida Division of Certified Public Accounting: 0004761

Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy: 14003

New York State Board for Public Accountancy: 002146

Ohio Accountancy Board: CPE .51 PSR

Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy: PX178025

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy: 009349

Learning Objectives

As a result of studying the course material, you should be able to meet the objectives listed below:

Define ethics in the context of being ethical versus acting ethically.
Identify the types of accounting services in which the fiduciary standard applies.
Recognize the circumstances under which conflicts of interest can arise when a variety of accounting services are offered by a CPA or firm.
Understand how the use of artificial intelligence raises ethical concerns in the accounting profession.
Recognize the primary components that serve as the foundation of the AICPA ethical standards.
Recognize the AICPA Principles of the Code of Professional Conduct.
Recognize the AICPA Rules of the Code of Professional Conduct.

Online Book, Online Exam

Hardcopy Book, Online Exam

$49.00