Take the IMC USA Consulting Ethics Challenge! 1.) Read this case study 2.) Read the IMC USA Code of Ethics, and 3.) comment below.
The Consulting Ethics Situation
You’ve just completed the first quarter of your new consulting assignment with GenMax, and it’s been fantastic so far. You’ve established a nice working relationship with Ian, GenMax’s project lead, and all preliminary project timelines are on schedule.
Just as you’re wrapping up your final meeting with Ian for the week, he says off-handedly, “You know, after this project we’ll have to get really creative in how we limit our tax exposure. We’ve been lucky all these years because so many of our customers pay with cash, we don’t have to report all of our income. Ah well, we’ll figure something out, right?”
What Would an Ethical Consultant Do?
Is there an ethical question or potential violation of the IMC USA Code of Ethics related to this ethics case?
What, if anything, would you do?
Call to Action:
If you’d like to learn more consulting ethics and follow a Code of Ethics for professional consultants, join IMC USA. All members are required to adhere to the IMC USA Code of Ethics as well as our Consultant’s Code of Conduct.
About the Author, Liz Weber CMC®, CSP
The author of this post, Liz Weber, is a Strategic Leadership Advisor, Certified Management Consultant® (CMC®) and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). Liz currently serves as IMC USA’s Ethics Chair. Liz holds an MBA in International Business. She has taught for Johns Hopkins University’s Graduate School of Continuing Studies and Georgetown University’s Senior Executive Leadership Program. Liz has supervised business activities in 129 countries and consulted in over 20 countries. She has written ten leadership books and currently writes a monthly blog and posts on social media daily. For more information visit her website and connect with Liz on LinkedIn.
IMC’s Member Code of Conduct says, at 3.3, I will address “issues I perceive as improper, or as falling below acceptable standards of professional practice, and apply relevant corrective actions.” I wonder what members consider to be relevant corrective actions when a client is not reporting all of its income on its tax returns. Maybe some members will share their thoughts…
I would hope this scenario you provided Stephen causes IMC USA members to ask themselves in similar situations, “If the client is violating tax law, what else might they be doing?” Then, the question becomes, “Do you want to continue to hitch your wagon to this train?”