Is Tony Scales winning the war on fraud and corruption at Miralux? Is he deeply committed to a greener planet? Or is Tony, like many chief executives, caught in the trap of his own rhetoric? Find out in ‘Words in Action’, a new edrama series.

‘Words in Action’ – where rhetoric and reality collide! Learn about fighting fraud and corruption, and what real commitment to sustainability is.

In Rebecca’s recent blog she highlighted how some candidates seem ethically challenged.

The United National Global Compact (UNGC) meeting in London recently focused on anti-corruption initiatives globally.  In recognition of the overall cost to business, and wider economy and society of corrupt practices, principle ten of the UNGC is: "Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery."  

The 19th century philosopher Kierkergaard’s quote struck me as a challenge for finance  professionals -  linking existentialism and management accounting.   As our members and students are engaged in informing decision making based on the facts at hand, how best can they ensure that companies progress well, ensuring profitability and success whilst mitigating risk and damage in the longer term.  Not only in relation to the firm,  but to society at large, and to themselves personally.

If a “wrong doing” in your organisation came to light, would it be a road-bump, in which management would quickly figure where things had gone wrong and put corrective action into place straight away, drawing lessons for the better running of the organisation in the future? 

"Global attention on fighting corruption is intensifying" was one of the conclusions at a CIMA seminar at St Paul's cathedral held earlier in April.  The introduction of the UK Bribery Act is part of this "crest of a wave" and the growth of anti-corruption initiatives and focus on ethical business are evident everywhere.  "Call to end corporate corruption" read the headlines in the Malaysian press the day I was presenting

With the change in UK government in May this year,  many were wondering how the new coalition would deal with the UK Bribery Act which was passed into law in April.  Bribery and corruption are very costly for business – adding an estimated 10%

As the new Bribery Bill moves towards enactment in Parliament, it is a good time to consider the role of accountants in wrestling back their rightful ethical position in business.

During 2009, I have been part of CIMA's Round table on ethics in business and my article in this month's Financial Management - Backbones vs Backhanders - (Page 13) sums up my proposals on the part that accountants (especially management accountants) can play.