You are an auditor with a government department. Your son is starting a business and for that he needs large amount of loan from a bank you are auditing. But he couldn’t secure a loan from the bank because of his bad CIBIL score. Moreover, you cannot take the loan as the amount far exceeds your salary range.
When you scrutinize the accounts of the bank, you find that its balance sheet has hidden stressed assets. However, one Assistant General Manager of the bank offers you help in return of a favor that you fudge the balance sheet of the bank.
a) What are the values in conflict in the above situation?
b) What are the various options before you? Also provide justification for each of the option.
Approach:
Identify the values in conflict
Then explore the various options and provide justification for each of the option
Answer:
Ethical Mapping/Decision Premises
· Integrity and probity in public service.
· Personal and professional ethics.
· Public and private relations.
(a) Values in conflict
Integrity and career: The auditor is offered to take help in exchange of favours. If he accepts the offer, it will be a breach of integrity by officer. At the same time, if he does not accept it, his son’s business prospects could be adversely affected.
Probity in public life and, love and care in private life.
Short term gain vs. long term loss of good image
(b) Options
Options - Reasons
1. Accept the favour offered by the bank manager
Son will get loan and can start his business.
2. Reject the favour offered by the bank manager
Taking favours by the public servant is a type of corruption and unethical act.
It is the duty of the auditor to bring out the true picture of balance sheet of the bank so that the information about the hidden stressed assets will come in the knowing of higher authorities.
3. Son can start another venture with the help of MUDRA Loan
Son can start a new business with the help of MUDRA loan as CIBIL score is not required for such loans.
Success is not the ultimate aim of life. One should always try to strive to become a good human being in life (Bhagvad Geeta). This can be achieved through practising good values and never compromising them especially in such difficult situation.