Business Ethics: From Enron to Lehman Brothers (Live Webinar)
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online Virtual
SEMINAR TYPE
PD Seminar
Overview
The course will explore personal and cultural factors which influence ethical behavior through the lens of three business and accounting ethics case studies: the collapse of Enron Corporation, the dissolution of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen and the bankruptcy of the Lehman Brothers. In comparing these cases, research on moral psychology will be discussed, and there will be an opportunity to reflect upon what lessons may be learned and how they might be applied in our current business environment.
This live virtual seminar is offered in collaboration with CPA Western Provinces. The content is applicable to all participants. BC registrants can access the course materials and virtual meeting link through CPABC's Learning Management System (LMS) as usual. Please note that this virtual seminar will be hosted by CPA Manitoba/Saskatchewan. The seminar times noted here are already adjusted to BC time. If you have questions, please contact pdreg@bccpa.ca.
Course Description
The collapse of Enron Corporation, Arthur Andersen and Lehman Brothers are iconic case studies which are still mentioned in the field of business and accounting ethics. However, discussions of these case studies are often superficial and focus on legal and regulatory issues involved rather than those of ethics, moral psychology and culture. This course will provide a more advanced analysis of these cases which includes relevant legal and regulatory issues but focuses on behavioral ethics and corporate moral psychology, with the objective of understanding how lessons learned may be applied to our current business environment. This will benefit anyone seeking an understanding of ethical behavior within large corporations or firms, or who have an interest in the case studies presented.
Applicable for
This course is of general interest but specifically applicable to finance and accounting professionals who work in large organizations.
Learning Objectives
explain what contributed to the rise and fall of Enron Corporation, Arthur Andersen and Lehman Brothers
explain the similarities and differences between the rise and fall of Enron Corporation and Lehman Brothers
explain the psychological process for individual moral decision making
explain some of the cultural factors which influence individual moral decisions
consider how these psychological and cultural factors may influence their own ethical behavior
Content
The collapse of Enron
deregulation of the natural gas industry
role of McKinsey & Company and creation of the “Gas Bank”
expansion into other commodities
accounting use of commodity derivatives and “special purpose entities”
financial bankruptcy
The dissolution of Arthur Anderson
formation of Arthur Andersen
growth of competition, consulting and conflicts of interest
Arthur Andersen’s role at Enron
dissolution
The collapse of Lehman Brothers
role of US Government and the Federal Reserve
creation of credit derivatives
accounting use of “Repo 105” and “special purpose entities”
financial bankruptcy
Personal moral failure
moral decision-making process
exercise: Identification of moral situation
Corporate culture/moral psychology
Milgram experiment
Asch lines
routinized behavior and pressure to perform
time pressure – Princeton Theological Seminary
role of fear
compliance programs
Synergistic corruption
what synergistic corruption is and the role it played at Enron/Lehman
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
Past
Improving Your Virtual Learning Experience
Live webinars have varying levels of expected interaction, with some requiring microphone and camera capabilities to support a proper learning experience – please email pdreg@bccpa.ca if you have concerns.
In general, we encourage participants to have their cameras turned on to enhance their virtual learning experience. This practice promotes a stronger connection with the instructor and fellow participants, and fosters improved communication and collaboration.
Registration terms and conditions, including the cancellation policy can be found here. If you require further assistance, please contact the PD Department.
Starting April 1, 2026, a 2.1% fee will be applied to all credit card transactions. Learn more about this fee and how it relates to PD registrations.
Ethics
Business Ethics: From Enron to Lehman Brothers (Live Webinar)
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online Virtual
SEMINAR TYPE
PD Seminar
Course Details
Cost
$210
Members
$235
Non-Members
Eligible Hours
4
CPD Hours
4
Ethics Hours
0
AML Hours
Passport
5
Credits
Overview
The course will explore personal and cultural factors which influence ethical behavior through the lens of three business and accounting ethics case studies: the collapse of Enron Corporation, the dissolution of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen and the bankruptcy of the Lehman Brothers. In comparing these cases, research on moral psychology will be discussed, and there will be an opportunity to reflect upon what lessons may be learned and how they might be applied in our current business environment.
This live virtual seminar is offered in collaboration with CPA Western Provinces. The content is applicable to all participants. BC registrants can access the course materials and virtual meeting link through CPABC's Learning Management System (LMS) as usual. Please note that this virtual seminar will be hosted by CPA Manitoba/Saskatchewan. The seminar times noted here are already adjusted to BC time. If you have questions, please contact pdreg@bccpa.ca.
Course Description
The collapse of Enron Corporation, Arthur Andersen and Lehman Brothers are iconic case studies which are still mentioned in the field of business and accounting ethics. However, discussions of these case studies are often superficial and focus on legal and regulatory issues involved rather than those of ethics, moral psychology and culture. This course will provide a more advanced analysis of these cases which includes relevant legal and regulatory issues but focuses on behavioral ethics and corporate moral psychology, with the objective of understanding how lessons learned may be applied to our current business environment. This will benefit anyone seeking an understanding of ethical behavior within large corporations or firms, or who have an interest in the case studies presented.
Applicable for
This course is of general interest but specifically applicable to finance and accounting professionals who work in large organizations.
Learning Objectives
explain what contributed to the rise and fall of Enron Corporation, Arthur Andersen and Lehman Brothers
explain the similarities and differences between the rise and fall of Enron Corporation and Lehman Brothers
explain the psychological process for individual moral decision making
explain some of the cultural factors which influence individual moral decisions
consider how these psychological and cultural factors may influence their own ethical behavior
Content
The collapse of Enron
deregulation of the natural gas industry
role of McKinsey & Company and creation of the “Gas Bank”
expansion into other commodities
accounting use of commodity derivatives and “special purpose entities”
financial bankruptcy
The dissolution of Arthur Anderson
formation of Arthur Andersen
growth of competition, consulting and conflicts of interest
Arthur Andersen’s role at Enron
dissolution
The collapse of Lehman Brothers
role of US Government and the Federal Reserve
creation of credit derivatives
accounting use of “Repo 105” and “special purpose entities”
financial bankruptcy
Personal moral failure
moral decision-making process
exercise: Identification of moral situation
Corporate culture/moral psychology
Milgram experiment
Asch lines
routinized behavior and pressure to perform
time pressure – Princeton Theological Seminary
role of fear
compliance programs
Synergistic corruption
what synergistic corruption is and the role it played at Enron/Lehman
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
KEN LEWCHUK, CPA, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (British Columbia) and a Certified Public Accountant (Texas). He graduated with an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from the University of Leeds (Distinction). His career has spanned technical accounting, risk management, internal audit, and corporate compliance, working in public accounting (PwC) and for corporations in the United States and Canada. He has taught technical accounting and finance classes to corporate employees in several countries, been a conference speaker, university lecturer, and currently teaches courses on accounting ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
Past
Improving Your Virtual Learning Experience
Live webinars have varying levels of expected interaction, with some requiring microphone and camera capabilities to support a proper learning experience – please email pdreg@bccpa.ca if you have concerns.
In general, we encourage participants to have their cameras turned on to enhance their virtual learning experience. This practice promotes a stronger connection with the instructor and fellow participants, and fosters improved communication and collaboration.
Registration terms and conditions, including the cancellation policy can be found here. If you require further assistance, please contact the PD Department.