APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants

By: Banham, Russ. Journal of Accountancy. Oct 2017, Vol. 224 Issue 4, p28-32. 5p. , Database: Business Source Complete

In this paper, I will explain if I believe whether a code of ethics should do more than the establish minimum acceptable standards. I will also describe the 5 cardinal virtues of professional accountings, whether there should be rules-based ethics standards. Lastly, I will compare and contrast the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct and the IFAC Code of Ethics for professional accountants.

Ethics in any industry is important, but for Accounting professionals and those in need of their services, it is a particularly stressed element. Information provided by accountants is used to make major decisions, including investing, downsizing, expanding, etc, so accountants are expected to be competent, reliable, and have a high degree of professional integrity. Because of these high expectations, the professional accountancy industry, like many other professions, has adopted professional codes of ethics (Woelfel, 1986). These ethical codes go above and beyond the requirements for state or federal laws and regulations. There are several professional organizations within the

Day J. and Krakhmal V. (2006) fourth edition (2011), An introduction to accounting and finance in business, Milton Keynes, The Open University

The five fundamental ethical principles of the Australian Accounting Profession as listed in APES 110 Code of Ethics of the Australian Accounting Profession are integrity, objectivity, and professional competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behaviour.

“ In order to prevent fraudulent financial reports and statements, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants(AICPA) has created ethical standards” (Ethical standards in a financial statement, 2011). These standards aim to make financial professionals accountable for their accounting practices. This includes the integrity of financial reporting and ensuring financial reporting is done fairly and factually. Financial accountants and professionals should maintain professional integrity, objectivity, and independence to reduce the risk of resulting legal action, loss of profits, and a poor reputation if improper financial reporting is done (Ethical standards in a financial statement, 2011).

This post will discuss two ethical accounting dilemmas that could occur in the CPA profession. For each dilemma, it will explain how the dilemma could be resolved based on logic and reason. It will then support that proposed resolution through support from the American Institute of Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) Code of Professional Conduct.

The Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (APESB) is a characterised mark of accountancy profession that plays an important role to the accounting employees, helping them to understand and comply with their responsibilities recognised by the fundamental principles of ethics. Nevertheless, there has been a massive growth of financial employees acting unethical behaviour, resulting in an ongoing liability for the business organisation. Many entities particularly in Australia have been investigated for stimulating tax evasion such as the ‘Tax Fraud case of Carl William Wheeler’ in year 2008-2009 which was accused for using tax havens in UK for evading tax obligations. However, there are points of view within the structure of professional

Accountants are held to a higher ethical standards and they must performed their duties in compliance with standards or ethical values of honesty, integrity, objectivity, due care, confidentiality, which must be fully committed to. They must put clients or public interest first before their own. They must have and ethical values and maintain those values way beyond what the society or the company’s code of ethic. It is important that accountants’ behavior or ethical values is in conformity with the

The Code of Professional Conduct of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants consists of two sections—(1) the Principles and (2) the Rules. The Principles provide the framework for the Rules, which govern the performance of professional services by members. The Council of the American Institute of CPAs is authorized to designate bodies to promulgate technical standards under the Rules, and the Bylaws require adherence to those Rules and standards.

     The accounting system is constantly changing. During these changes, it is important for accountants to adhere to the high ethical standards that they have always lived by. Adhering to the high ethical standards is an accountant's obligation to the public, the profession, and themselves. An accountant's ethical conduct usually lies within four different areas. This includes competence, confidentiality, integrity, and objectivity. NYSSCPA.ORG states, "Members also have a continuing responsibility to cooperate with each other to improve the art of accounting, maintain the public's confidence, and carry out the professions special responsibilities for self-governance," (Article 1).

Accountants owe the duty to act in a professional and ethical manner concerning clients, as well an obligation to respect the laws that are involved with the profession. This is where a crossroads of ethics and legalities are formed and potentially the defining point of crucial decision-making. Stephen Richards and his actions under employment with Computer Associates (CA) are then examined in light of this concept.

6) According to the Institute of Management Accountants’ Statement of Ethical Professional Practice, the standard of objectivity includes _____.

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTING ACCT 5942: CORPORATE ACCOUNTING & REGULATION INCOME TAX QUIZ, SESSION 1 2012

Professional behavior – This indicates that professional accountants comply with the stated UK laws and regulations that govern the