Tiara Workman

Javaid Majid
ACCT-2010
6/19/2019
Ethics

As the textbook states “Ethics are shaped by our cultural, socioeconomic, and religious

background” (Thomas et. 24). Ethics are a part of each of us and it affects all of our decisions.

When it comes to finances, often times, it can be difficult to maintain our ethical standing. Fraud

is a very common issue in our society. A popular news story that is still developing is one where

two actresses are involved in a single scandal in which they bribed a university for their children

to attend.

Though the story is still developing and criminal charges have not been decided, the

ethics in this story are still important. Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman paid a man to have

their daughters SAT scores changed-without the daughter’s knowledge- so they could get into

the university of their choice: University of Southern California (Medina). Both of these women

are actresses and have the financial means to bribe others. Cultural ethics tell us that bribery is

wrong and there is a better way. Other options to bribery in this case would be to hire a tutor to

prepare these girls for their SAT’s so they earn a score they deserve. Not only have these women

lost their jobs and are facing Federal charges due to their poor ethical choices, they have lost the

trust of their children.

Ethics keep us in line, make sure we are making appropriate decisions. When we justify

our actions against our ethics it often leads to a lot of pain. Businesses have the ability to prevent

fraud and encourage ethical obedience by making sure that duties are divided. Making sure
multiple people are involved in a single financial transaction, prevents a single person from

stealing from the company.

 Works Cited

Medina, Jennifer. “Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman: 1 Scandal, 2 Actresses, Diverging
Paths.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Apr. 2019,
www.nytimes.com/2019/04/10/us/lori-loughlin-felicity-huffman-admissions-
scandal.html?rref=collection/newseventcollection/college-admissions-
scandal&action=click&contentCollection=us®ion=rank&module=package&version=hig
hlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection.
Harrison, et al. “Financial Accounting.” 2015. Pearson Education, Inc. 19 June 2019.