By Digna Hernandez Each month Ana Pérez must report on the bank
account of the company, Kash y Karito. Ana has been working with this company since she graduated from college a little over four years ago.
Up to date information on the company's bank
account with Banco Ponceño is required for the preparation of the financial statement of Kash y Karito. Ana knows that the amount of cash that appears in the financial statement together with other current
activities will be included in the financial analysis of the company.
During this month and for the first time in her experience with Kash y Karito, Ana found that the information provided by the
bank does not agree with that provided by the accounting department has errors. Someone has made an error.
According to the accounting books, Banco Ponceño has made two errors: (a) they have
not included in the bank statement $10,000 that Kash y Karito deposited two weeks ago and (b) Banco Ponceño has credited to the account of Kash y Karito $15,000 that does not belong to the company.
Ana's responsibility is to reconcile the disparity between the bank statement provided by Banco Ponceño and what appears in the accounting books of Kash y Karito. To do so, she must inform Banco Ponceño of
its two errors. But Ana's supervisor, having been made aware of the problem, makes a "creative" suggestion: "It would look much better in our external audit if you informed Banco Ponceño of the error in not
crediting the $10,000 to our account that we deposited two weeks ago but held off informing them of the $15,000 that they have mistakenly credited to our account. The later is their problem--let them find
it. Their mistake won't hurt them, and it can certainly help us."
Ana has to call Banco Ponceño. What should she tell them?
Questions:
1. What alternatives of action are open to Ana?
2. What are the stakeholders in this case? What are their stakes?
3. Evaluate Ana's alternatives in terms of feasibility and
ethics. Which is the best? Why?
