Business Ethics – The Next Phase

Overview:

This is an in-depth CPD course designed to equip finance and business professionals with the tools and insights necessary to uphold and advocate ethical standards in complex and challenging environments. The course goes beyond basic ethics to explore real-world dilemmas, decision-making models, and regulatory frameworks, including the ACCA Code of Ethics and Conduct. Using high-profile case studies such as the DRC cobalt mines, Nestlé’s marketing scandal, and Nick Leeson’s rogue trading, participants gain a practical and reflective understanding of ethical conduct in action. This course is essential for professionals looking to reinforce ethical resilience, foster stakeholder trust, and ensure accountability in their organisations.

Course Content:

In this course, you will gain knowledge about the following topics:

• Introduction to Business Ethics and Ethical Theories
• Ethical Decision-Making Models in Business
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability
• Ethics of Justice and Codes of Conduct
• Whistleblowing and Ethical Leadership

Learning Objectives:

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:

• Differentiate between personal morals and professional ethics, and understand how these influence ethical decision-making in business
• Apply structured ethical decision-making models, including Hodgson’s Three-Step Model and the PLUS Model, to complex business scenarios
• Recognize common ethical challenges such as conflicts of interest, stakeholder tensions, and cultural differences in global business ethics
• Understand and apply professional codes of conduct, particularly in the accountancy profession, to reinforce ethical behaviour and public trust
• Evaluate real-life business ethics cases (e.g. Nestlé baby milk controversy, DRC cobalt mining, Nick Leeson and Barings Bank) to derive actionable ethical insights
• Implement internal policies, whistleblowing procedures, and governance structures that support ethical business practice

Who Will Benefit:

• Finance and Accounting Professionals who are subject to professional codes of ethics.
  
• Business Leaders and Executives seeking to navigate ethical dilemmas in corporate strategy and operations.
  
• Internal Auditors and Compliance Officers tasked with monitoring ethical behaviour and reporting violations.
  
• Board Members and Governance Professionals establishing or reviewing codes of conduct and whistleblowing frameworks