Business Ethics: From Enron to Lehman Brothers (Live Webinar)
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online Virtual
SEMINAR TYPE
PD Seminar
Overview
Major corporate failures continue to offer important lessons for accounting and finance professionals. Through the cases of Enron, Arthur Andersen, and Lehman Brothers, this course examines the ethical, cultural, and behavioural factors that can influence decision-making within organizations. Participants will explore how personal judgment, organizational culture, and professional pressures contribute to ethical outcomes, and consider how these lessons can be applied to today’s complex business environment.
Course Description
While Enron, Arthur Andersen, and Lehman Brothers are often discussed from legal and regulatory perspectives, this course focuses on the ethical and behavioural factors that contributed to their collapse. Through an examination of corporate culture, moral psychology, and decision-making, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how ethical failures develop and explore practical lessons for strengthening professional judgment and ethical leadership in modern organizations.
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 processes that influence individual moral decision-making.
Explain cultural factors that can influence ethical behaviour and decision-making.
Consider how psychological and cultural influences may affect their own ethical decision-making and professional conduct.
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
Major corporate failures continue to offer important lessons for accounting and finance professionals. Through the cases of Enron, Arthur Andersen, and Lehman Brothers, this course examines the ethical, cultural, and behavioural factors that can influence decision-making within organizations. Participants will explore how personal judgment, organizational culture, and professional pressures contribute to ethical outcomes, and consider how these lessons can be applied to today’s complex business environment.
Course Description
While Enron, Arthur Andersen, and Lehman Brothers are often discussed from legal and regulatory perspectives, this course focuses on the ethical and behavioural factors that contributed to their collapse. Through an examination of corporate culture, moral psychology, and decision-making, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how ethical failures develop and explore practical lessons for strengthening professional judgment and ethical leadership in modern organizations.
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 processes that influence individual moral decision-making.
Explain cultural factors that can influence ethical behaviour and decision-making.
Consider how psychological and cultural influences may affect their own ethical decision-making and professional conduct.
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.