Instructions to complete this course:

1. Complete each module in sequence. Each module will require watching and/or completing a related activity. The modules must be completed in order to complete the course.
2. Once the modules are completed, then you will have access to the qualified assessment section (multiple-choice questions).
3. If you are successful on the qualified assessment, you will then move onto the course evaluation.
4. Complete the course evaluation form. You will have then have access to a downloadable course completion certificate for your records.

Learning objectives:

The downfall of Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos, has been told in many formats (books, podcasts, television). However, the story of Theranos, the company, the employees and other stakeholders have not been examined in-depth, especially from the perspective of ethical decision-making and organizational culture.

In this on-demand course, we will explore the Theranos fraud and key stakeholders using IESBA’s (International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants) five fundamental principles of ethics as the framework for our investigation:

• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Professional competence and due care
• Confidentiality
• Professional Behaviour

We will also examine how a lack of psychological safety and a toxic organizational culture compromised the ethical decision-making process of numerous stakeholders.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

After completion of this course, the professional competence that can be achieved by participants:

1. Defining IESBA’s five fundamental principles of ethics
2. Summarizing the key events and dates of the Theranos fraud
3. Identifying the key stakeholders of Theranos
4. Illustrating what went wrong with Theranos using each of the five fundamental principles of ethics
5. Explaining how low psychological safety and a toxic organizational culture contributed to the fraud and poor ethical decision-making

For any questions that may arise in the completion of the program, please email [email protected]. You will receive a reply within 24 hours of receipt of your inquiry.