Signs of Trouble in the Profession: A Look at the Ethical Perceptions and Experiences of Accounting Practitioners (Pre-Enron) (Ethical ISSUES‪)‬

ABSTRACT The Enron and MicroStratagies debacles are among the latest in a string of headlines focusing on accounting firms and individual CPAs who have "crossed the line" by engaging in unethical, or at least what is widely perceived as highly questionable and ill-advised conduct. This study presents the perceptions of accounting practitioners regarding the extent of ethical misconduct in accounting as well as the pervasiveness of selected acts of questionable behavior. Respondents have also been surveyed regarding the likelihood of serious sanctions being imposed for selected types of misconduct as well as their direct personal experience with ethical issues. (Data for this study was gathered prior to the disclosure of the events surrounding Enron.)