You are a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and you have recently taken up the position of Sales Manager with a company that is facing financial difficulties. The company’s terms include a commitment to maintain specified profitability, liquidity and solvency measures; failure to do so would render bank loans immediately repayable. The draft financial statements show that the company has not succeeded in complying with all of these requirements.
The financial results are very dependent on various estimates such as receivables impairments. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has suggested that these be recalculated so as to bring the financial results within the requirements of the bank. He has asked you to sign pre-dated internal documentation which would imply that, as Sales Manager, you initiated these changes in the belief that they would enhance the accuracy of the Financial Statements.
Which TWO of the following courses of action available to you would be ethically acceptable according to the CIMA Code of Ethics?
A . Refuse to sign the documentation on the grounds that you did not initiate this action, and to give the impression that you did would be unethical.
B . Agree to sign the documentation on the grounds that these matters are highly subjective anyway and the proposed changes are, at least, plausible.
C . Refuse to actually sign the documentation but make clear to the CEO that you will raise no objection if he amends the Financial Statements as if you had signed.
D . Seek legal advice on the matter because you feel you are being placed in a very difficult position.
Answer: A,D