Madoff Ethics Case StudyCode: 21-MADETHICS

Bernard Madoff Investment Securities LLC was the source of the largest financial fraud in US history. Madoff perpetrated a simple Ponzi scheme whereby older investors were paid with newer investor funds, thus providing the impression of actual investment returns. The extent of the losses related to Madoff’s Ponzi scheme have been estimated at $50 – $65 billion. 

Many are astounded to hear that Bernard Madoff Investment Securities LLC was audited by a CPA. Unfortunately, Madoff’s CPA apparently did not subscribe to the AICPA Code of Conduct as most of the rules contained in the code were ignored. What follows is a case study examining the conduct of Friehling & Horowitz CPAs P.C., the CPA firm that audited Bernard Madoff Investment Securities LLC, within the context of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.