The Ethical Ledger: A Review of Literature on the Alignment of Accounting Ethics and Blockchain Technology

Abstract

This chapter explores the relationship between blockchain technology and accounting ethics, highlighting how blockchain technology aligns with the principles of accounting ethics, which are the rules and guidelines businesses use to maintain financial integrity. This chapter used a thematic literature review to identify similarities between blockchain technology and accounting ethics, including security, transparency, integrity, fraud reduction, confidentiality, professional competence, access to financial data, reliable data, distributed ledger systems, reduced auditor dependence, and stakeholder trust. These similarities demonstrate that blockchain technology holds significant promise for handling ethical considerations in accounting. It explores the possibility of blockchain technology to enhance ethical considerations in the accounting profession. Blockchain can improve accuracy, transparency, integrity, and security in accounting records and positively impact decision-making processes. This study proves blockchain’s efficacy in advancing accounting practices and reinforcing ethical values in accounting records.