Since the day we are able to understand, our parents have tried to set a good example for us to understand the importance of right and wrong and how to act in many situations. As we age into school, our teachers, family, and friends also influence our daily lives. On our journey to adulthood, we face daily challenges about whether we should be ethical or unethical in the situations in which we find ourselves. When we enter our profession, the company teaches and trains us to understand its ethical codes of conduct, similar to an accounting career. The accounting career is an increasingly important profession that continues to play a valuable role in society. Because accountants serve as financial journalists and mediators, the information they provide requires a high level of ethics to help executives, investors and other businesses make critical financial decisions. Ethical misconduct by accountants can be detrimental to society, leading to public distrust and business operations. However, there are many influences and pressures placed on accountants as well as creditors, shareholders and other parties affected by financial decisions. For example, in September 2004, Jay Reeves of the Washington Post wrote that HealthSouth, "the largest U.S. operator of rehabilitation hospitals, was under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department for allegedly overstated its profits by $2.5 billion since 1999." This accounting scandal put several people in prison for the unethical decisions they decided to participate in. Another example of unethical decision making by a large corporation is that of Enron. According to the University of Washington Mich...... middle of article ......lp we determine what is considered ethical in various situations. However, ultimately we must evaluate moral issues for ourselves, taking into account both the facts and the ethical situations at stake. Works Cited A framework for thinking ethically. (1988, winter). Retrieved from https://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/framework.html Berman, J. (February 5, 2014). It is a fact that women are paid less than men. Stop debating. The Huffington Post. History, concepts, ethics, and rule-making in the regulation of human care. (2009). Retrieved from the University of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service: http://www.naratraining.org/historycourse/ethics/ethics5.htmlKarpoff, J. (April 5, 2010). The worst financial scandals of the decade. Seattle, Washington. Reeves, J. (September 30, 2004). Timeline of the HealthSouth accounting scandal. The Washington Post.