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ANSWER 
There are three issues here. Firstly you have a 
conflict of interest
as the finance director wants you to 
keep the takeover a secret, but you probably feel that you should tell your friend what is happening as it 
may affect their job. 
Second, the finance director is asking you to deceive your friend. Deception is unprofessional behaviour 
and will break your ethical guidelines. Therefore the situation is presenting you with 
two conflicting 
demands
. It is worth remembering that no employer can ask you to break your ethical rules. 
Finally, the request to break your own ethical guidelines constitutes 
unprofessional behaviour
by the 
finance director. You should consider reporting him to the relevant body. 
 
QUESTION 
Bonus time
 
Your company runs a cost-saving initiative whereby the department head that saves the most cost in the 
year receives a bonus. Your role is to collect the cost-saving data from each department and to present 
the results to the finance director. 
After the initiative is over, the successful department head presents you with tickets to see your favourite 
music group in a sold-out concert. 
ANSWER 
The issue here is
 objectivity
. The other department heads could see the gift as a reward for 'fixing' the 
result, or for 'special favours'. It may also bias your future work and therefore should be refused. 
 
BPP Tutor Toolkit Copy

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PART F: PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS 
 
504
 
 
9
Resolution of ethical conflicts 
Ethical conflicts 
may arise from: 

Pressure from an overbearing colleague or from family or friends 

Members asked to act contrary to technical and/or professional standards 

Divided loyalties between colleagues and professional standards 

Publication of misleading information 

Members having to do work beyond their degree of expertise or experience they possess 

Personal relationships with other employees or clients 

Gifts and hospitality being offered 
We have seen there are many situations that could cause ethical conflicts, ranging from the trivial to the 
very serious (such as fraud or illegal acts).The method of resolving them that ACCA sets out for its 
members and students is laid down in its 
ethical code
(ACCA, 2016); however, many organisations 
propose an alternative process to evaluate a decision. 
Individuals should ask themselves: 
(a)