C ENTURY 21 A CCOUNTING © South-Western, Cengage Learning C H A R A C T E R C O U N T S CHAPTER 6 Professional Codes of Conduct

C ENTURY 21 A CCOUNTING © South-Western, Cengage Learning Chapter 6 SLIDE 2 Professional Codes of Conduct Most professional organizations have a code of professional conduct to guide the actions of their members. One of the best-known codes of professional conduct is that of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). A national organization of over 340,000 certified public accountants, the AICPA seeks to help its members provide professional services that benefit their employees, clients, and society.

C ENTURY 21 A CCOUNTING © South-Western, Cengage Learning Chapter 6 SLIDE 3 Professional Codes of Conduct An important component of this mission is the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. The Code contains Rules of Conduct that its members must follow in their performance of professional services.

C ENTURY 21 A CCOUNTING © South-Western, Cengage Learning Chapter 6 SLIDE 4 Professional Codes of Conduct The Rules address the topics of independence, integrity, objectivity, client relations, and colleague relations. Some Rules have Interpretations that provide further insight into the Rules. The Code is also supported by Ethics Rulings, a series of questions and answers that the AICPA elects to share with its members.

C ENTURY 21 A CCOUNTING © South-Western, Cengage Learning Chapter 6 SLIDE 5 Professional Codes of Conduct AICPA members who fail to adhere to the Code can be disciplined or expelled from the membership. Losing membership in the AICPA can result in serious consequences for a certified public accountant working in the profession.

C ENTURY 21 A CCOUNTING © South-Western, Cengage Learning Chapter 6 SLIDE 6 Professional Codes of Conduct Instructions Access the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct at Citing the exact source of each answer, determine whether a member of the AICPA may: 1.Accept a gift from a client. 2.Charge a client a fee based on the net income reported on the audited income statement. 3.Advertise professional services in television commercials.