Discussion: Ethical Fiscal Matters in Public Organizations

Many government organizations and the professionals who
work within them operate under ethics and accountability codes.
Operating under a shared understanding of ethics is in the bestinterest
of any organization. Certainly, when this occurs, stakeholders are more
likely to gain and maintain trust in the organization. Conversely, when
ethics are absent or violated, trust is eroded.

In this Discussion, you describe an actual ethical
issue in a public organization related to finance and budgeting, such as
pension padding, and consider how the issue is being addressed. Review
this week’s Learning Resources and consider some general ethical
guidelines for those working in finance and budgeting in public
organizations. Then, select a government or non-profit organization with
an ethical issue or violation related to finance and budgeting.

With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 4

Post a brief description of the
government or non-profit organization you selected. Describe the ethical
issue or violation you identified as it relates to finance or
budgeting. Using the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
Code of Ethics or the ethical guidelines within your organization and/or
nation, explain why it is/was an ethical issue or violation. Then,
explain how the organization is addressing or has addressed it. If a
violation has not occurred, how would you recommend preventing one?

Required Readings

Eskridge, R. D., French, P. E., & McThomas, M. (2012). The international city/county management association code of ethics. Public Integrity, 14(2), 127–150.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Rossmann, D., & Shanahan, E. A. (2012). Defining and achieving normative democratic values in participatory budgeting processes. Public Administration Review, 72(1), 56–66.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

American Society for Public Administration. (2012). Proposed code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.aspanet.org/ASPADocs/Ethics%20Committee%20proposal%20for%20Council%2012-08-10.pdf

Kavanagh, S., Ruggini, J., Na, M., Kinney, A., Kreklow, S., Greiner, J., & Stewart, A. (2006). Market research report: Budgeting technology solutions. Retrieved from http://www.gfoa.org/sites/default/files/BudgetTechnologyReport.pdf

New York State Office of the Attorney General. (2010). Attorney General Cuomo expands investigation into “pension padding.” Retrieved from http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/attorney-general-cuomo-expands-investigation-pension-padding

U.S. Office of Government Ethics. (2016). Standards of ethical conduct for employees of the executive branch (pp. 1–90). Retrieved from https://www.oge.gov/Web/oge.nsf/Resources/Standards+of+Ethical+Conduct+for+Employees+of+the+Executive+Branch