Research on moral development in the accounting
profession suggests ‘‘that there are systemic characteristics
of the accounting profession which inhibit
an individual’s moral development at worst or which
inhibit retention of persons with higher levels of
moral development at best (Herron and Gilbertson,
2004, p. 503).’’ Sweeney (1995) documents that
accountants’ level of moral development actually
declines when they move from a supervisory level to
partner level, and that levels of moral development
are inversely related to rank within an accounting
firm. Mandating that CPAs be required to complete
continuing education courses in business ethics
seems to be an important step in helping accounting
and audit professionals confront this unacceptable
pattern.