A payroll accountant enters an employee's monthly pay information into their software system. The accountant makes a $10.00 error to the advantage of the employee. Instead of contacting the employee to correct the situation, the payroll accountant simply records an adjusting entry to avoid having to deal with the employee who is known for being bluntly spoken. The next payroll period the payroll accountant makes a similar $10.00 "mistake" to their own paycheck. Six months later, the payroll accountant is making a $20.00 error to their own paycheck monthly. Two years later the payroll accountant is charged with embezzling $100,000 from the firm. What explains this behavior?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

The behavior described here could be an indication of rationalization and escalation in unethical be... View the full answer