The Faculty of Management Sciences: Department of Accounting and Auditing joined forces with the International Audit firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on 17 May 2017 to increase awareness about the role of business in helping to cultivate and maintain high ethical standards and practices among students in the faculty. The Business Ethics Project Awards is an annual event that has been hosted by both institutions since 2012.  

PwC is helping these students to understand the importance of business ethics due to the diverse range of accounting services and perceived indifference by society towards corporate practices in the world of business.  The students are being exposed to ethical standards accepted within the accounting profession where business ethics are an intrinsic part of moral principles that guide business through complex dilemma about what is right and wrong. Through this project, students are expected to integrate their theoretical knowledge with real life issues. This is to ensure that they learn to work in groups, think outside the box, and track all South African media platforms including social media, newspapers. The project also teaches them about effective time management and dynamic and professional debates among themselves in a safe learning environment.

 

The final assessment and selection were adjudicated by an interdisciplinary panel of judges consisting of staff members, mentors and coaches from CUT, University of Free State and PwC who are specialists in governance and business ethics. The main evaluation criterion was based on creativity, application of theoretical knowledge, good research and presentation skills. It was also noted that PwC not only sponsors and employs Accounting and Auditing students from CUT, but also employs the AAT students in the department. 

Images 

1: The winners of the competition debated on Ritalin abuse on university campuses. The group (Alligators) each received an amount of R1200 sponsored by PwC. The judges were all impressed by their amazing research, synergy, and excellent group presentation. 

2: The panel of Judges, coaches and sponsors from CUT, UFS and PwC. From left: Prof. Dave Lubbe (CUT and UFS), Ms Victoria Koma, HoD in the Department of Accounting and Auditing, CUT, Mr Frank Makhabane (UFS), Ms Annette Loots (PwC) and Ms Leandi Steenkamp.