Preparing an Optimistic Business Model for a Public Offering

What ethical issues are faced by the owner and the accountant while preparing an optimistic business model?

Adam Casey is the owner of a small Internet company. He is planning a public offering in 12 months. Casey asks his accountant to prepare an optimistic business model that shows a greater profit potential than a conservative estimate would produce. When the accountant questions Casey’s profitability assumptions, Casey reminds the accountant of the 10,000 shares of the company stock the accountant was able to purchase at a low price. A public offering would dramatically increase the value of those shares. Examine the ethical issues faced by the owner and the accountant. How should they be resolved?