This review of these ten ethical perspectives confirms
that there is clearly a conflict between rule-based
and principle-based approaches to auditing and
financial reporting, and that principle-based ethical
models are necessary if auditors are to honor their
gatekeeping and independence roles. As noted,
although the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation created
administrative mechanisms and additional rules for
regulating the accounting profession, a review of
these ten ethical perspectives seems to confirm
recently voiced pessimism that a rule-based or
mechanistic approach will resolve ethical dilemmas
that occur in today’s business culture (Callahan, 2004;
Imhoff, 2003).