Business Ethics - FAQ
Some frequently asked questions relating to the Business Ethics Course are listed below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Business Ethics Course?
The course comprises two class days and a written assignment. All three components are compulsory for ICAS students. You must attend both class days and successfully complete the assignment in order to qualify as a CA.
When will the class days be taught?
The first day (BE1) will be taught at the start of your ICAS course in the first year of your training. For most students this will be delivered within TC classes either as part of TC Block or in Phase 1 of modular classes. Students who are exempt from all TC subjects and commence TPS in their first year of training will be required to attend a BE1 class in October / November. The second day (BE2) will be delivered within your TPE course in the final year of your training contract.
Why are the two class days compulsory - can't I just read the notes?
The classes are very interactive and involve a considerable amount of group work. ICAS believes that the learning outcomes set out in the syllabus can only be achieved by participation in class and has therefore made attendance on these days compulsory.
What happens if I miss a Business Ethics class?
You should make every effort to avoid missing class by making sure you know when, within your course it is taught. If your absence is unavoidable, we will offer you a place on another course but you should be aware that the option for alternate courses in the same year will be limited and you may be requierd to travel to another city to attend. Please try not to miss class if you wish to avoid delay in graduation.
What is the Business Ethics Assignment?
The Business Ethics Assignment (BEA) is a home based exercise. Students will be presented with a case study which includes and ethical dilemma for the characters involved. Students will be asked to evaluate the scenario, describe the nature of the ethical dilemma, and propose a course of action for the character(s) in the case study.
When will the assignment be issued?
Under the current programme the assignment is issued after students have attended their TPE course and sat TPE. It is not necessary for students to have passed TPE before submitting this. Students attending TPE classes leading to the May diet will be issued their assignment late May / early June and those sitting TPE classes leading to the November diet will be issued theirs late November / early December. However consideration is currently being given to whether this should occur earlier for future intakes.
How long will I be given to submit my assignment?
You will be given at least a month to complete the assignment and if the submission period coincides with busy work schedules we will agree delayed submission dates with firms extending this up to 3 months. If you have already reached the end of your training contract you should submit your work as soon as possible to avoid delays for admission to membership. The assignment should not involve more than a few hours work (see below).
How long should it take me to write it?
Most students find that they take up to an hour to consider the dilemma and no more than two hours to write their response (including referring to their course notes for guidance). Ideally you should read the assignment and spend some time reflecting on it rather than writing your answer immediately.
Can I discuss the assignment with others?
Yes you can - this can be a useful part of the process of contemplating an ethical dilemma. However it is important that you write your answer independently. You will be required to certify that you have not used anyone else's work. You should assume that a student who copies someone else's work will fail - this is an ethical assignment!
Is there a prescribed format for my answer?
There is no prescribed format and it is not necessary to craft your answer as a formal report - an essay style is acceptable. As with any piece of business writing, sensible use of headings and sub-headings to enable the marker to follow a logical flow of thought is always welcome. Most importantly, you recommended course of action should be clear and this can be best achieved by summarising /concluding at the end of your essay.
You will be discussing the nature of the dilemma and what course of action might follow so it should not be necessary to carry out any research to support your assignment. If you do however wish to include the views others sourced from other publications you should reference these to enable your own views to be easily distinguished from those of others.
What are the markers looking for?
The assignment will be designed such that there is no easy or obvious "right" answer. The markers will be looking for evidence that you have examined the dilemma thoroughly enough. This is likely to involve looking at the scenario from a number of perspectives and applying the theories you were taught in class to help you to pick the dilemma apart.
It does not however follow that you have to talk in terms such as "deontological" - these theories have been taught to you to help you to evaluate a dilemma not to produce a philosophical essay! The markers will be looking for evidence that you have considered business and/or personal issues affecting the decisions that the characters may make and that you recommend a course of action that is both ethical and sensible. This means considering commercial implications, the reliability of the information on which you are basing your course of action.
For example in a recent assignment some students assumed without question that comments made by a member of staff, suggesting the company management were aware of a breach of environmental regulations but would take no action, were accurate. In consequence they proposed reporting the company to the regulatory body before discussing with senior management. This in effect denied senior management the opportunity to rectify the problem and would have serious commercial consequences for the company. Additionally it could have caused the "whistle-blower" to lose protection afforded by the PIDA. Better students suggested firstly raising the issue with management to verify the facts and then reporting the company to the regulatory authorities if they failed to take remedial action.
It often helps to put yourself into the shoes of the various characters and ask yourself "what would I do...and why? How would this proposed course of action affect me/my business?" Then you should choose a course of action that is both ethical and reasonable.
The markers are also watching out for signs of plagiarism - be warned!
Where/how do I submit my answer?
All answers are to be sent by post to the Business Ethics Administrator, ICAS, CA House, 21 Haymarket Yards, EH12 5BH. Please retain an electronic copy of your work until you are notified that you have reached the required standard.
Can I send my answer by e-mail?
Postal submissions are preferred (with correct postage please) as all scripts have to be in printed form for marking. Additionally you must complete and sign a declaration on the cover sheet to be submitted with your work. If you are working overseas or for any reason are unable to post your assignment please contact us to explore whether exceptionally you work can be sent by email.
When will I get my results?
It is difficult to be precise on this point because marking is being carried out by a small pool of markers and the turnaround time will be affected by the number of scripts submitted within the specified deadline and the number of firms seeking an extended deadline. Priority will be given to students who have reached or are nearing the end of their training contract. There is no formal results date. Students will be advised of their results by letter sent to their preferred mailing address. Results should be issued within a month of the submission deadline in most cases.
What will happen if my assignment does not reach the required standard?
Your assignment may be returned to you with comments and asking you to review your answer and re-submit it within a month (hence the reason to ask you to retain an electronic copy). Alternatively you could be asked to submit a fresh assignment based on a different scenario.
Will my firm be given details of my results?
Your firm will be updated with information regarding the submission of your assignment (whether it was submitted on time, submitted late, extension requested or not yet submitted) and your result obtained.
Who should I contact if I have a query?
You should contact Lisa Marshall, Business Ethics Course Administrator on 0131 347 0171 or at
lmarshall@icas.org.uk
for all administration matters including:
- If you think you are going to be unable to attend a class or you have already missed a class - please get in touch as soon as possible to increase the likelihood of an alternative option
- If you wish to check the status of your assignment.
For matters concerning the course content of your approach to the assignment please contact Hilary Lofthouse, Business Ethics Course Director on 0131 347 0166 or at
hlofthouse@icas.org.uk
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