Financial Reporting Ethics

Tools and Mastery

Report with integrity — even under pressure. Spot revenue and estimate red flags under US GAAP & IFRS, apply 5 practical tools and learn from Under Armour, Carillion and Wirecard.
  • CPE/CPD: 7.0 credits*
  • Video: 3.5 hours
  • Text: 43K words
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Add to cart € 347 € 247

+ VAT for EU non-business customers

FRAUD PREVENTION PROGRAM
  • Text Course: 133 pages
  • Frameworks: US GAAP & IFRS
  • Downloads: 7 files
  • Cases: 4 large case studies
  • Quizzes: 64 questions
  • Access: Forever
  • Certificate of completion
✓ Your bonus toolkit: 5 practical tools for pressure, revenue, estimates, sign-off and cross-border reporting

Practical Skills You Will Gain

  • Spot ethical issues before they escalate: recognize early warning signs in financial reporting and act before they become misstatements, restatements or damage to your reputation.
  • Hold the line under pressure: respond to a “make it work” request from a boss, a target or yourself with a structured decision path and words you can actually use.
  • Recognize revenue with integrity: apply ASC 606 and IFRS 15 ethically around period-end, cut-off, bill-and-hold and pull-forward deals, and act on 9 revenue red flags.
  • Keep estimates anchored in evidence: challenge provisions, fair value and impairment assumptions with back-testing, reverse stress tests, a devil's advocate and even an AI second opinion.
  • Learn from real failures: see how pressure and weak oversight played out at Under Armour, Carillion and Wirecard, and which warning signs appeared early.
  • Close every period with confidence: run an 11-point ethical reporting checklist covering cut-off, accruals, disclosures, late adjustments, auditor communication and final sign-off.
  • Stay consistent across borders: compare US GAAP and IFRS, the AICPA and IESBA codes, governance and enforcement, so your standards hold wherever you report.

Inside the Course: 6 Modules

From the first ethical principle to cross-border reporting, each module combines practical guidance, a realistic case and a tool you can use at work.

1. Why Ethics Matter: Your Principles as a Compass

Understand why trust in financial reporting matters and how five principles guide every reporting decision.
  • Learn: how ethical failures destroy market confidence, and how integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behavior work in daily reporting.
  • Context: the lessons from Enron and WorldCom that shaped today's rules.
  • Start well: a course overview and a first look at the five downloadable tools.

2. Ethical Decisions Under Pressure

Recognize pressure early and respond with a clear, defensible decision.
  • Learn: where pressure comes from (targets, deadlines, senior leadership and your own expectations) and how it turns routine choices into dilemmas.
  • Case study: an under-pressure reporting scenario, analyzed step by step.
  • Your tool: Under Pressure? Rapid Decision Tree: 6 steps from “this doesn't feel right” to clear actions.

3. Revenue Recognition with Integrity

Apply ASC 606 and IFRS 15 ethically where timing pressure is highest.
  • Learn: cut-off, bill-and-hold, returns and pull-forward deals, and the documentation that supports your judgment.
  • Real case: Under Armour: pulled-forward sales and a $9 million SEC settlement.
  • Your tool: Revenue Red-Flag Quick Guide and Your Action: 9 warning signs, 8 actions.

4. Estimates and Provisions: When Judgment Meets Bias

Keep provisions, fair value and impairment anchored in evidence, not in targets.
  • Learn: how bias enters estimates, ASC 450 and IAS 37 provisions and contingencies, and practical bias checks such as back-testing and reverse stress tests.
  • Real case: Carillion: contract losses recognized too late, and a sudden collapse.
  • Your tool: Estimates Red-Flag Quick Guide and Your Action: 9 warning signs, 8 actions.

5. Governance, Controls and Accountability

See how leadership, controls, auditors and regulators build (or fail to build) an ethical environment.
  • Learn: tone at the top, internal controls, SOX certifications, audit committees and the role of external auditors and regulators.
  • Real case: Wirecard: €1.9 billion of cash that did not exist.
  • Your tool: Bullet-Proof Ethical Reporting Checklist: 11 checks before every sign-off.

6. Go International: Ethics Across Frameworks and Borders

Stay consistent when frameworks, codes and cultures differ.
  • Learn: how to navigate global and local frameworks: US GAAP and IFRS, the AICPA and IESBA codes, and governance and enforcement in the US, internationally and locally.
  • Context: cultural and legal differences, and how to keep ethical practice sustainable.
  • Your tool: Go International — Framework Emphasis by Jurisdiction: with highlights for Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia/New Zealand and more.

Watch or Read: Two Formats, One Course

Every module comes in two formats with the same content. Choose what suits your day, or combine them.
  • Watch: 21 video lessons (3.5 hours) with a clear AI voiceover over animated slides. Each point appears as it is explained, so you can follow the logic at a glance.
  • Read: the complete text course in editable Word (133 pages), with headings that match the video lessons. It explains some topics in more depth, with more examples, but adds no new key facts. Read offline, highlight, add notes and keep it as your reference.
  • Review: all 104 course slides in PDF, a quick visual summary for revision.
  • Tip: read the module first and use the videos to reinforce the key points, or watch first and return to the text for the details.

Access Premium Materials

  • Complete text course in editable Word: all six modules, about 43,000 words on 133 pages, with the glossary at the end. One document you can annotate, search and keep.
  • Under Pressure? Rapid Decision Tree: six steps that guide you from a pressured request to a clear, documented response.
  • Revenue Red-Flag Quick Guide and Your Action: 9 warning signs and 8 actions, from cut-off testing to escalation.
  • Estimates Red-Flag Quick Guide and Your Action: 9 warning signs in provisions and estimates, plus 8 actions including bias checks.
  • Bullet-Proof Ethical Reporting Checklist: 11 checks for every quarter-end or year-end close.
  • Go International — Framework Emphasis by Jurisdiction: frameworks, professional codes, governance and enforcement compared across the US, international and local regimes.
  • All 104 course slides (PDF): a visual summary of every video lesson for quick revision.
  • 29 Review and 35 Final Quiz Questions: a review quiz after each module and the final quiz.

Is This for Me?

  • Yes, if you prepare, review or approve financial reports as an accountant, controller, CFO, finance manager, FP&A professional or auditor.
  • US GAAP or IFRS: both are covered. Revenue, provisions and estimates are explained under both frameworks, with a cross-border comparison in Module 6.
  • No prior ethics training needed. Module 1 builds the foundations; experienced professionals move quickly to the cases and tools.
  • Your learning style fits. Watch, read or combine both, and keep the full Word edition.
  • Completely practical. Realistic dilemmas, real cases and five tools you can use at your next close.

Join Us

Built for accountants, controllers, CFOs, finance managers, FP&A professionals and auditors who prepare, review or sign off financial statements, under US GAAP or IFRS.
Ethics in financial reporting rarely starts with a dramatic decision. It starts with a late request to pull a sale into this quarter, an optimistic provision, or a deadline that leaves no time to ask questions. This course helps you recognize those moments and respond with confidence, backed by principles, standards and real cases.
And the best part? You leave with five practical tools you can print, share with your team and use at every close. Integrity becomes a routine, not a last-minute struggle.

+ VAT for EU non-business customers

Testimonials

What our learners say

Really enjoyed this course – the practical tools and case studies. Made ethical decision-making feel much more concrete, reminded me of certain recent tough situations. The bonus checklists were super helpful. I loved how clearly everything was presented.
I work in a global and multicultural environment, travel and attend meetings, so this was really helpful. I was happy to read about current ethical cases, not just recycled Enron. :) Thank you Peter for another great course!
Kikine
The course was much more than I expected. Great resources for personal development.
Sharon M.
Very good presentation. It's an engaging and very helpful for refreshing ethics in financial reporting.
Rachel Y.
 Very interesting.
David L.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to watch the videos and read the text course?

The video lessons and the downloadable Word text course cover the same content. The text explains some topics in more depth, with more examples, but adds no new key facts. Use the format that suits you or combine them: many learners read a module and watch the videos to reinforce the key points. The estimated credits are based on reading the text course.

To receive the certificate, complete every lesson in the course and pass both final quizzes. The Word file is yours to keep, so you can add your own notes and return to it at work.

Are the videos narrated by a real person?

No. The videos use a professional AI voiceover over animated slides, with each point appearing as it is explained. All content is developed and reviewed by the instructor, Peter Ilas, FCCA. The AI voice gives you a clear, consistent pace and lets us update lessons quickly when standards or practice change. If you prefer reading, the complete text course covers the same content.

Does the course follow US GAAP or IFRS?

Both. Revenue recognition is explained under ASC 606 and IFRS 15, and provisions and contingencies under ASC 450 and IAS 37. Module 6 compares US GAAP and IFRS, the AICPA and IESBA codes, and governance and enforcement in the US, internationally and in jurisdictions such as Canada, the UK, the EU and Australia/New Zealand. The ethical principles are the same everywhere; the course shows how to apply them consistently.

How do the 7.0 CPE/CPD credits work?

Most CPE/CPD frameworks count 50 minutes as 1 credit. The estimate is based on reading the downloadable text course: 43,304 words at 180 words per minute, a reading rate used by CPE providers (about 241 minutes), plus 29 review and 35 final questions (about 118 minutes). That gives about 359 minutes, or 7.18 credits, rounded down to an estimated 7.0. Acceptance and the correct credit treatment are the learner's responsibility under their licensing body's rules. Please confirm with your board before claiming.

Will this course meet my ethics CPE requirement?

This is a general professional ethics course for professionals who prepare, review or approve financial reports. Some licensing bodies, including some US state boards, require a specific ethics course, for example on state rules and regulations; this course does not replace that. Please confirm with your board how you can claim it.

What's included, and how long do I keep access?

21 video lessons in six modules + the complete text course in editable Word with a glossary + all 104 slides in PDF + five practical tools (Under Pressure? Rapid Decision Tree, Revenue and Estimates Red-Flag Quick Guides, the Bullet-Proof Ethical Reporting Checklist and Go International — Framework Emphasis by Jurisdiction) + 29 review + 35 final quiz questions + a Certificate of Completion. All downloads are yours to keep and use at work.

Lifetime access on RSAgile, on any device. Updates to the lessons and materials are included at no extra cost. Your downloads stay with you regardless of later platform changes.

How does the 14-day money-back guarantee apply?

Full refund within 14 days of purchase if the course isn't what you need, provided you have not completed a substantial portion of the lessons or downloaded the course materials. In clear “download-and-refund” abuse cases we refund only the unused portion.

How is VAT handled, and can my company buy multiple seats?

EU consumers pay VAT, calculated at checkout. EU businesses with a valid VAT ID enter it at checkout for reverse-charge invoicing. Buyers outside the EU pay the listed price. For team seats, contact us using the link in the footer and we will prepare an offer.

How and when do I receive the Certificate of Completion?

You can generate it once you have completed all lessons and passed both final quizzes: Final Quiz A after Module 3 and Final Quiz B after Module 6. Delivered as a PDF you can download, print or share on LinkedIn.

About the Instructor

Peter Ilas, FCCA

  • A 30-year career in leadership positions in finance, accounting, external and internal audit, and business controls through consulting services
  • Versatile interim executive fulfilling finance leadership roles
  • Seasoned expert in finance and accounting, with a distinguished record of achievements
  • Committed strategic advisor, bringing a wealth of innovative ideas
  • Business processes and controls improver
  • Creator of the world's first comprehensive courses on E-Invoicing Mandates
  • Author of project management books, under Ready Set Agile brand
  • Explore my complete profile and accomplishments on LinkedIn

Why This Is a Smart Investment

What's inside (at a glance): 6 modules with 21 video lessons (3.5 hours) · complete text course (133 pages) in Word with glossary · all 104 slides · 5 practical tools · 29 review + 35 final quiz questions · Certificate of Completion.

Why this is a safe buy:  Lifetime access on any device · Free updates · Downloads are yours to keep · 14-day money-back guarantee.

7.0 credits in one course: Earn an estimated 7.0 CPE/CPD credits in one comprehensive course.

Protect what is hardest to rebuild: One questionable entry can lead to a restatement, regulatory attention or lasting damage to your professional reputation. Recognizing pressure and red flags early costs far less than explaining them later.

Value at every close: The five tools turn ethical judgment into a repeatable routine: red-flag reviews during the close, a final checklist before sign-off and a clear path when pressure appears.

Skills that accelerate your career or consulting: Become a trusted professional whom colleagues, auditors, and boards turn to for difficult judgment calls. Use the tools to strengthen your team's reporting process, or bring them to clients as a consultant or fractional CFO.

+ VAT for EU non-business customers

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