1. Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants
A Presentation By
Nasir U Ahmed, FCA
Member Council, ICAB
21 December 2008

2. WHAT ARE ETHICS ?
A sense of agreement in a society as to what is right and wrong.
Ethics represent a set of moral principles, rules of conduct or values.
Ethics apply when an individual has to make a decision from various alternatives regarding moral principles.

3. Objectives of Professional Accountants
work to the highest standards of professionalism
attain the highest levels of performance, and
meet the public’s interest

4. The Code of Ethics (A, B, and C)
Part A establishes the fundamental principles of ethics for professional accountants and provides a conceptual framework for applying those principles.
Parts B and C illustrate how the conceptual framework is to be applied in specific situations.
• Part B applies to professional accountants in public practice.
• Part C applies to professional accountants in business.

5. IFAC Code of Ethics - fundamental principles for all Accountants:
Integrity (Sec 110)
Objectivity (Sec 120)
Professional Competence and Due Care (Sec 130)
Confidentiality (Sec 140)
Professional Behavior (Sec 150)
Continuation…

6. Integrity The principle of integrity imposes an obligation on all professional accountants to be straightforward and honest in performing professional services. It also implies fair dealing and truthfulness.
Objectivity: The principle of objectivity imposes on all professional accountant not to compromise their professional or business judgment because of bias, conflict of interest or undue influence of others.
Continuation…

7. Professional Competence and Due Care: A professional accountant has a continuing duty to maintain professional knowledge and skill at the level required to ensure that a client or employer receives competent professional service based on current developments in practice, legislation and techniques.
Continuation…

8. Confidentiality: A professional accountant should respect the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of professional and business relationships and should not disclose any such information to third parties without proper and specific authority.
Professional Behavior: A professional accountant should comply with relevant laws and regulations and should avoid any action that discredits the profession.

9. Conceptual Framework Approach
A conceptual framework requires a professional accountant to identify, evaluate and address threats to compliance with the fundamental principles, rather than merely comply with a set of specific rules which may be arbitrary.
If threats to ethics are not clearly insignificant, a professional accountant should apply safeguards to eliminate the threats or reduce them to an acceptable level.

10. Threats and Safeguards
Compliance with the fundamental principles may potentially be threatened by a broad range of circumstances. Many threats fall into the following categories:
Self-interest threats
Self-review threats
Advocacy threats
Familiarity threats
Intimidation threats
Continuation…

12. Self-Interest Threat
A Self-interest threat occurs as a result of the financial or other interests of a professional accountant or of an immediate or close family member;

13. Self Interest Threats Circumstances
A financial interest in a client or jointly holding a financial interest with a client.
Undue dependence on total fees from a client.
Having a close business relationship with a client.
Concern about the possibility of losing a client.
Potential employment with a client.
Contingent fees relating to an engagement.
A loan to or from a client or any of its directors or officers.

14. Self-Review Threat
Self-Review Threat occurs occur when a previous judgment needs to be re-evaluated by the professional accountant responsible for that judgment.

15. Self-Review Threats Circumstances
The discovery of a significant error during a re-evaluation of the work of the auditor.
Reporting on the operation of financial systems after being involved in their design or implementation.
Having prepared the original data used to generate records that are the subject matter of the engagement.
A member of the team being, or having recently been, a director or officer of that client.
A member of the team being, or having recently been, employed by the client in a position to exert direct and significant influence over the subject matter of the engagement.
Performing a service for a client that directly affects the subject matter of the engagement.
An assurance engagement to provide a high level of
assurance that financial statements are free of material
misstatement, such as an engagement in accordance with
International Standards on Auditing. This includes a
statutory audit which is an audit required by national
legislation or other regulation.
An engagement conducted to provide:
(a) A high level of assurance that the subject matter
conforms in all material respects with identified
suitable criteria; or
(b) A moderate level of assurance that the subject
matter is plausible in the circumstances.
This would include an engagement in accordance with the
International Standard on Assurance Engagements issued
by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards
Board or in accordance with specific standards for
assurance engagements issued by the International
Auditing and Assurance Standards Board such as an audit
or review of financial statements in accordance with
International Standards on Auditing.

16. Advocacy Threat
An Advocacy Threat occurs when a professional accountant promotes a position or opinion to the point that subsequent objectivity may be compromised.
Examples of circumstances that create advocacy threats :
Selling, underwriting or otherwise dealing in financial securities or shares of a client;
Acting as an advocate on behalf of a client in litigation or disputes with third parties.

17. Familiarity Threat
Familiarity Threat occurs when, by virtue of a close relationship with a client, its directors, officers or employees, an auditor becomes too sympathetic to the client’s interests.

18. Familiarity Threats Circumstances
Immediate family member or close family member who is a director, officer, or influential employee of the client;
A member of the team having a close family member who, as an employee of the client, is in a position to exert direct and significant influence over the subject matter of the engagement;
A former partner of the firm being a director, officer of the client or an employee in a position of significant influence;
Long association of a senior member of the team with the client
Acceptance of gifts or hospitality, unless the value is clearly insignificant, from the client, its directors, officers or employees.
200.7 Examples of circumstances that may create familiarity threats include, but are
not limited to:
(a) A member of the assurance team having an immediate family [i] member or close family member who is a director or officer of the assurance client;
(b) A member of the assurance team having a close family member who, as an employee of the assurance client, is in a position to exert direct and significant influence over the subject matter of the engagement;
Generally, family relationships pose an unacceptable threat to independence when a firm partner (director) or employee engaged in an engagement is the spouse, dependant or relative of the client. In some countries the range of relationship may be wider, e.g. the child, or its spouse, the parent or grandparent, parent-in-law, brother, sister, or brother-in-law or sister-in-law of the client.
(c) A former partner of the firm being a director, officer of the assurance client or an employee in a position of significant influence;
(d) Long association of a senior member of the assurance team with the assurance client; and
(e) Acceptance of gifts or hospitality, unless the value is clearly insignificant, from the assurance client, its directors, officers or employees.
[i] Immediate family: A spouse (or equivalent) or dependent.

19. Intimidation Threat
Intimidation Threat occur when a professional accountant may be deterred from acting objectively by threats, either actual or perceived.
Examples of circumstances:
Being threatened with dismissal or replacement in relation to a client engagement.
Being threatened with litigation.
Being pressured to reduce inappropriately the extent of work performed in order to reduce fees.
Page 91occur when a professional accountant may be deterred from acting objectively by threats,
actual or perceived
200.8 Examples of circumstances that may create intimidation threats include,
but are not limited to:
Being threatened with dismissal or replacement in relation to a client engagement.
Being threatened with litigation.
Being pressured to reduce inappropriately the extent of work performed in order to reduce fees.

20. Safeguards
Safeguards that may eliminate or reduce such threats to an acceptable level fall into three broad categories:
Safeguards created by the profession, legislation or regulation;
Safeguards within the client; and
Safeguards within the firm’s own systems and procedures.
Pages 91 – 93
Safeguards that may eliminate or reduce such threats to an acceptable level fall into two broad categories (assurance client, and within the audit firm:
(a) Safeguards created by the profession, legislation or regulation; and
(b) Safeguards in the work environment.
Safeguards created by the profession, legislation or regulation include, but are not restricted to:
• Educational, training and experience requirements for entry into the profession.
• Continuing professional development requirements.
• Corporate governance regulations.
• Professional standards.
• Professional or regulatory monitoring and disciplinary procedures.
• External review by a legally empowered third party of the reports, returns, communications or information produced by a professional accountant.
Parts B and C of this Code, respectively, discuss safeguards in the work environment for professional accountants in public practice and those in
business.

21. Safeguards created by the profession, legislation or regulation
Educational, training and experience requirements for entry into the profession.
Continuing professional development requirements.
Corporate governance regulations.
Professional standards.
Professional or regulatory monitoring and disciplinary procedures
External review by a third party of the reports, returns, communications or information produced by a professional accountant.
Safeguards created by the profession, legislation or regulation include, but are not restricted to:
Educational, training and experience requirements for entry into the profession.
Continuing professional development requirements.
Corporate governance regulations.
Professional standards.
Professional or regulatory monitoring and disciplinary procedures.
External review by a legally empowered third party of the reports, returns, communications or information produced by a professional accountant.

22. Safeguards within the Client
When the client’s management appoints the firm, persons other than management ratify or approve the appointment;
The client has competent employees to make managerial decisions;
Policies and procedures that emphasize the client’s commitment to fair financial reporting;
A corporate governance structure, such as an audit committee, that provides appropriate oversight and communications regarding a firm’s services.
Safeguards within the assurance client, include:
• When the assurance client’s management appoints the firm, persons other
than management ratify or approve the appointment;
• The assurance client has competent employees to make managerial
decisions;
Policies and procedures that emphasize the assurance client’s commitment
to fair financial reporting;
• Internal procedures that ensure objective choices in commissioning nonassurance
engagements; and
• A corporate governance structure, such as an audit committee, that
provides appropriate oversight and communications regarding a firm’s
services.

23. Safeguards in the work environment
leadership that stresses the importance of independence and the expectation that members of the teams will act in the public interest.
Policies and procedures to implement and monitor quality control of the engagements;
Documented independence policies regarding the identification of threats to independence, the evaluation of the significance of these threats and the identification and application of safeguards to eliminate or reduce the threats, other than those that are clearly insignificant, to an acceptable level;
Safeguards within the firm’s own systems and procedures may include firmwide
safeguards such as:
• Firm leadership that stresses the importance of independence and the
expectation that members of assurance teams will act in the public
interest;
• Policies and procedures to implement and monitor quality control of
assurance engagements;
• Documented independence policies regarding the identification of threats
to independence, the evaluation of the significance of these threats and the
identification and application of safeguards to eliminate or reduce the
threats, other than those that are clearly insignificant, to an acceptable
level;
• Internal policies and procedures to monitor compliance with firm policies
and procedures as they relate to independence;
• Policies and procedures that will enable the identification of interests or
relationships between the firm or members of the assurance team and
assurance clients;
ETHICS
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS
ETHICS 50
Policies and procedures to monitor and, if necessary, manage the reliance
on revenue received from a single assurance client;
• Using different partners and teams with separate reporting lines for the
provision of non-assurance services to an assurance client;
• Policies and procedures to prohibit individuals who are not members of
the assurance team from influencing the outcome of the assurance
engagement;
• Timely communication of a firm’s policies and procedures, and any
changes thereto, to all partners and professional staff, including
appropriate training and education thereon;
• Designating a member of senior management as responsible for
overseeing the adequate functioning of the safeguarding system;
• Means of advising partners and professional staff of those assurance
clients and related entities from which they must be independent;
• A disciplinary mechanism to promote compliance with policies and
procedures; and
• Policies and procedures to empower staff to communicate to senior levels
within the firm any issue of independence and objectivity that concern

24. Resolution of Ethical Conflicts
If the matter remains unresolved, the professional accountant should consult with other appropriate persons within the firm
Where a matter involves a conflict with, or within, an organization, consult with those charged with governance of the organization, such as the board of directors or the audit committee.
If a significant conflict cannot be resolved, obtain professional advice from the relevant professional body or legal advisors.
If, after exhausting all relevant possibilities, the ethical conflict remains unresolved, a professional accountant should, where possible, refuse to remain associated with the matter creating the conflict.
Page 78 changed
Ethical Conflict Resolution to

25. Professional Appointment
Client Acceptance - consider whether acceptance would create any threats to compliance with the fundamental principles
Engagement Acceptance - agree to provide only those services that the accountant is competent to perform.
SECTION 210
Professional Appointment
Client Acceptance
210.1 Before accepting a new client relationship, a professional accountant in public practice should consider whether acceptance would create any threats to compliance with the fundamental principles. Potential threats tointegrity or professional behavior may be created from, for example, questionable issues associated with the client (its owners, management and activities).
Engagement Acceptance
210.7 A professional accountant in public practice should agree to provide only those services that the professional accountant in public practice is competent to perform. Before accepting a specific client engagement, a professional accountant in public practice should consider whether acceptance would create any threats to compliance with the fundamental principles. For example, a self-interest threat to professional competence and due care is created if the engagement team does not possess, or cannot acquire, the competencies necessary to properly carry out the engagement.

26. Changes in a Professional Appointment
Before accepting an appointment involving services that were carried out by another, the proposed auditor should:
Request permission from the client to contact former auditor directly;
Contact existing auditor before beginning audit.
Pages 96 – 100; Illustration 3.10 Considerations Concerning Relations with Other Professional Accountants, page 98
Changes in a Professional Appointment
A professional accountant in public practice who is asked to replace another professional accountant in public practice, or who is considering tendering for an engagement currently held by another professional
accountant in public practice, should determine whether there are any reasons, professional or other, for not accepting the engagement, such as circumstances that threaten compliance with the fundamental principles.
For example, there may be a threat to professional competence and due care if a professional accountant in public practice accepts the engagement before knowing all the pertinent facts.

27. Information from Existing Auditor
Once the client permission is obtained, the existing auditor should provide information honestly and unambiguously.
If the proposed auditor is unable to communicate with the existing auditor, the proposed auditor should try to obtain information about any possible threats by other means such as through inquiries of third parties or background investigations on senior management.
The existing auditor is no longer required to provide information in writing or regarding reasons not to take an audit.
A professional accountant in public practice will ordinarily need to obtain the client’s permission, preferably in writing, to initiate discussion with an existing accountant. Once that permission is obtained, the existing accountant should comply with relevant legal and other regulations governing such requests. Where the existing accountant provides information, it should be provided honestly and unambiguously. If the proposed accountant is unable to communicate with the existing accountant, the proposed accountant should try to obtain information about any possible threats by other means such as through inquiries of third parties or background investigations on senior management or those charged with governance of the client.

28. Conflicts of Interest
A professional accountant in practice should take reasonable steps to identify circumstances that could pose a conflict of interest. Such circumstances may give rise to threats to compliance with the fundamental principles
SECTION 220
Conflicts of Interest
220.1 A professional accountant in public practice should take reasonable steps to identify circumstances that could pose a conflict of interest. Such circumstances may give rise to threats to compliance with the fundamental principles. For example, a threat to objectivity may be created when a professional accountant in public practice competes directly with a client or has a joint venture or similar arrangement with a major competitor of a client. A threat to objectivity or confidentiality may also be created when a professional accountant in public practice performs services for clients whose interests are in conflict or the clients
are in dispute with each other in relation to the matter or transaction in question.

29. Second Opinions
Providing a second opinion on the application of accounting, auditing, reporting or other standards or principles by or on behalf of a company that is not an existing client may cause threats to compliance with the fundamental principles.
Safeguards such as seeking client permission to contact the existing auditor, describing the limitations surrounding any opinion and providing the existing auditor with a copy of the opinion may be required.
Second Opinions
230.1 Situations where a professional accountant in public practice is asked to provide a second opinion on the application of accounting, auditing, reporting or other standards or principles to specific circumstances or
transactions by or on behalf of a company or an entity that is not an existing client may give rise to threats to compliance with the fundamental principles. For example, there may be a threat to professional competence and due care in circumstances where the second opinion is not based on the same set of facts that were made available to the existing accountant, or is based on inadequate evidence. The significance of the threat will depend on the circumstances of the request and all the other available facts and assumptions relevant to the
expression of a professional judgment.
230.2 When asked to provide such an opinion, a professional accountant in public practice should evaluate the significance of the threats and, if they are other than clearly insignificant, safeguards should be considered and
applied as necessary to eliminate them or reduce them to an acceptable level. Such safeguards may include seeking client permission to contact the existing accountant, describing the limitations surrounding any
opinion in communications with the client and providing the existing accountant with a copy of the opinion.

30. Fees and Other Types of Remuneration
An auditor may quote whatever fee deemed to be appropriate. However, a self-interest threat to professional competence and due care is created if the fee quoted is so low that it may be difficult to perform the engagement.
Fees and Other Types of Remuneration
240.1 When entering into negotiations regarding professional services, a professional accountant in public practice may quote whatever fee deemed to be appropriate. The fact that one professional accountant in
public practice may quote a fee lower than another is not in itself unethical. Nevertheless, there may be threats to compliance with the fundamental principles arising from the level of fees quoted. For example, a self-interest threat to professional competence and due care is created if the fee quoted is so low that it may be difficult to perform the engagement in accordance with applicable technical and professional standards for that price.

31. Commissions, Referral Fees, and Contingent Fees
A professional accountant in public practice should not pay or receive a referral fee or commission, unless he/she has established safeguards to eliminate the threats or reduce them to an acceptable level.
Contingent fees are widely used for certain types of non-assurance engagements. They may, however, give rise to self-interest threats to compliance with the fundamental principles.
240.7 A professional accountant in public practice should not pay or receive a referral fee or commission, unless the professional accountant in public practice has established safeguards to eliminate the threats or reduce them to an acceptable level. Such safeguards may include:
• Disclosing to the client any arrangements to pay a referral fee to another professional accountant for the work referred.
• Disclosing to the client any arrangements to receive a referral fee for referring the client to another rofessional accountant in public practice.
• Obtaining advance agreement from the client for commission arrangements in connection with the sale by a third party of goods or services to the client.
240.3 Contingent fees are widely used for certain types of non-assurance engagements.1 They may, however, give rise to threats to compliance with the fundamental principles in certain circumstances. They may give
rise to a self-interest threat to objectivity. The significance of such threats will depend on factors including:
240.4 The significance of such threats should be evaluated and, if they are other than clearly insignificant, safeguards should be considered and applied as necessary to eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable level.

32. Advertising and Marketing
When a professional accountant in public practice solicits new work through advertising or other forms of marketing, there may be potential threats to compliance with the fundamental principles.
SECTION 250
Marketing Professional Services
250.1 When a professional accountant in public practice solicits new work through advertising or other forms of marketing, there may be potential threats to compliance with the fundamental principles. For example, a self-interest threat to compliance with the principle of professional behavior is created if services, achievements or products are marketed in a way that is inconsistent with that principle.
250.2 A professional accountant in public practice should not bring the profession into disrepute when marketing professional services. The professional accountant in public practice should be honest and truthful
and should not:
• Make exaggerated claims for services offered, qualifications possessed or experience gained; or
• Make disparaging references to unsubstantiated comparisons to the work of another.

33. What Advertising Cannot Do
A professional accountant should not bring the profession into disrepute when marketing professional services. He/she should be honest and truthful and should not:
Make exaggerated claims for services offered, qualifications possessed or experience gained; or
Make disparaging references to unsubstantiated comparisons to the work of another.
250.2 A professional accountant in public practice should not bring the profession into disrepute when marketing professional services. The professional accountant in public practice should be honest and truthful
and should not:
• Make exaggerated claims for services offered, qualifications possessed or experience gained; or
• Make disparaging references to unsubstantiated comparisons to the work of another.

34. Gifts and Hospitality
Self-interest threats to objectivity may be created if a gift from a client is accepted; intimidation threats to objectivity may result from the possibility of such offers being made public.
Gifts or hospitality which are acceptable are those which a reasonable and informed third party, having knowledge of all relevant information, would consider clearly insignificant.
SECTION 260
Gifts and Hospitality
260.1 A professional accountant in public practice, or an immediate or close family member, may be offered gifts and hospitality from a client. Such an offer ordinarily gives rise to threats to compliance with the
fundamental principles. For example, self-interest threats to objectivity may be created if a gift from a client is accepted; intimidation threats to objectivity may result from the possibility of such offers being made public.
260.2 The significance of such threats will depend on the nature, value and intent behind the offer. Where gifts or hospitality which a reasonable and informed third party, having knowledge of all relevant information,
would consider clearly insignificant are made a professional accountant in public practice may conclude that the offer is made in the normal course of business without the specific intent to influence decision
making or to obtain information. In such cases, the professional accountant in public practice may generally conclude that there is no significant threat to compliance with the fundamental principles.

35. Custody of Client Assets
Safeguard against a self-interest threat to objectivity , a professional accountant in public practice entrusted with money (or other assets) belonging to others should:
Keep such assets separately from personal or firm assets; and
Use such assets only for the purpose for which they are intended.
At all times, be ready to account for those assets, and any income, dividends or gains generated.
Comply with all relevant laws and regulations relevant to the holding of and accounting for such assets.
Illustration 3.9 Considerations for Handling Clients’ Monies, page 97
Custody of Client Assets
270.1 A professional accountant in public practice should not assume custody of client monies or other assets unless permitted to do so by law and, if so, in compliance with any additional legal duties imposed on a
professional accountant in public practice holding such assets.
270.2 The holding of client assets creates threats to compliance with the fundamental principles; for example, there is a self-interest threat to professional behavior and may be a self interest threat to objectivity self interest threat to objectivity arising from holding client assets. To safeguard against such threats, a professional accountant in public practice entrusted with money (or other assets) belonging to others should:
(a) Keep such assets separately from personal or firm assets; and
(b) Use such assets only for the purpose for which they are intended;
and
(c) At all times, be ready to account for those assets, and any income, dividends or gains generated, to any persons entitled to such accounting; and
(d) Comply with all relevant laws and regulations relevant to the holding of and accounting for such assets.

36. Application of Framework to Specific Situations
The Code of Ethics, discusses a principles-based framework for identifying, evaluating and responding to threats. The framework establishes principles to identify threats to ethics principles, evaluate the significance of those threats, and, if the threats are other than clearly insignificant, identify and apply safeguards to eliminate the threats or reduce them to an acceptable level.
Page 85
(a) Self-interest threats, which may occur as a result of the financial or other interests of a professional accountant or of an immediate or close family∗ member;
(b) Self-review threats, which may occur when a previous judgment needs to be re-evaluated by the professional accountant responsible for that judgment;
(c) Advocacy threats, which may occur when a professional accountant promotes a position or opinion to the point that subsequent objectivity may be compromised;
(d) Familiarity threats, which may occur when, because of a close relationship, a professional accountant becomes too sympathetic to the interests of others; and
(e) Intimidation threats, which may occur when a professional
accountant may be deterred from acting objectively by threats,
actual or perceived.

37. Cross-Border Activities
An accountant may perform services in a country other than his home country. If differences exist between ethical requirements of the two countries, the strictest provisions should be applied.
Page 81
An accountant may perform services in a country other than his home country. If differences
exist between ethical requirements of the two countries the following provisions
should be applied:
1 When the ethical requirements of the country in which the services are being performed
are less strict than the IFAC Code of Ethics, then the ethical guidance of IFAC should be
applied.
2 When the ethical requirements of the country in which the services are being performed are
stricter than the IFAC ethical guidance then the ethical requirements of the country where
the services are being performed should be applied.
3 When the ethical requirements of the home country are mandatory for services performed
outside that country and are stricter than set out in (1) and (2) above, then the ethical
requirements of the home country should be applied

38. The IFAC Code prohibits the following non-audit services for audit clients:
Bookkeeping Services
Valuation services
Management decision making functions
Broker-dealer or investment advisor services
Litigation support
Page 93
The IFAC Code prohibits the following non-audit services for audit clients:
·          Valuation services for audit clients that involve the valuation of matters material to the financial statements and where the valuation involves a significant degree of subjectivity (paragraph 8.173).
·          Management decision making functions (paragraph 8.156) including the following examples: (a) Authorizing, executing or consummating a transaction, or otherwise exercising authority on behalf of the assurance client, or having the authority to do so; (b) Determining which recommendation of the firm should be implemented; and (c) Reporting, in a management role, to those charged with governance.
·          Corporate finance and similar activities including the following examples: (a) Promoting, dealing in, or underwriting of a client’s shares; (b) Committing the client to the terms of a transaction; and (c) Consummating a transaction on behalf of the client (paragraph 8.201).
·          Litigation support role involving the making of managerial decisions on behalf of an audit client or acting for an audit client in the resolution of a dispute or litigation when the amounts involved are material to the financial statements of the audit client (paragraph 8.197).

39. Financial involvement with a client
direct financial interest in a client;
indirect material financial interest
loans to or from the client or any director or major stockholder in the client company;
financial interest in a joint venture with a client or employee(s) of a client.
financial interest in non-client with investor or investee relationship with the client.
Page 87
Financial involvement with a client will affect independence and may lead a reasonable observer to conclude that independence has been impaired. Financial involvement with a client could take the form of:
¨ direct financial interest in a client;
¨ indirect material financial interest resulting from being an administrator of any trust or estate with a financial interest in the client company;
¨ loans to or from the client or any director or major stockholder in the client company;
¨ financial interest in a joint venture with a client or employee(s) of a client.
¨ financial interest in a non-client that has an investor or investee relationship with the client. An investor is a parent, general partner or natural person or corporation that has the ability to exercise significant influence on an investee. An investee is a subsidiary or an entity subject to the significant influence of an investor.
AICPA Ethics Rulings 31-35, 52, , 70,72, 74-75

40. Professional Competence and Responsibilities Regarding the Use of Non-Accountants
If a professional accountant does not have the competence to perform a specific part of the professional service, technical advice may be sought from experts such as other professional accountants, lawyers, actuaries, engineers, geologists, and evaluators. However, since the auditors have ultimate responsibility for the service, it is his responsibility to see that the requirements of ethical behavior are followed.
Page 94

41. Activities Incompatible with the Practice of Public Accountancy
A professional accountant in public practice should not concurrently engage in any business, occupation or activity that impairs or might impair integrity, objectivity or independence, or the good reputation of the profession.
The simultaneous engagement in another activity unrelated to assurance or accounting services, which reduces the accountant’s ability to conduct his accounting practice according to ethical principles, is inconsistent with public practice.
Pages 95 – 96, Illustration 3.8 Considerations Concerning Incompatible Activities and Advertising, page 96
Exercise 3-19

42. PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS-IN SERVICE
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43. Conflict of Loyalties
Employed professional accountants owe a duty of loyalty to their employer as well as to their profession and there may be times when the two are in conflict.
An employee cannot legitimately be required to break the law, breach the ethics, rules, and standards of the accounting profession, lie to their employer’s auditors, or be associated with a statement that materially misrepresents the facts.
If employed accountants cannot resolve any material issue involving a conflict between their employers and their professional requirements they may have no other recourse but to resign.
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44. Support for Professional Colleagues and Professional Competence
Support for Professional Colleagues A professional accountant, particularly one having authority over others, should allow them to develop their own judgment in accounting matters.
Professional Competence An accountant employed in industry, commerce, the public sector or education may be asked to undertake significant tasks for which she has not had sufficient specific training or experience. Where appropriate expert advice and assistance should be sought.
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45. Presentation of Information
A professional accountant is expected to present financial information fully, honestly and professionally and so that it will be understood in its context.
Page 104

46. Disciplinary action and common sanctions
Disciplinary action ordinarily arises from such issues as:
failure to observe the required standard of professional care, skills or competence;
non-compliance with rules of ethics and discreditable; or dishonorable conduct.
Sanctions commonly imposed by disciplinary bodies include:
reprimand, fine, payment of costs, withdrawal of practicing rights, suspension, and expulsion from membership.
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