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Code Of Professional Ethics By American Institute Of Certified Public

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Code of Professional Ethics by American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Introduction

"A code of professional ethics is a voluntary assumption of self discipline above and beyond the requirements of the law. The Code of Ethical Conduct serves the highly practical purpose to notify the public that the profession will protect the public interest" (Carey, Doherty: p 3). When people need a doctor, a lawyer or a certified public accountant, they seek someone whom they can trust to do a good job, not for himself but for them. People assume that the hired professional is qualified since they cannot appraise him. They must take it on faith that he is competent. That is why professionals are distinguished from businesses and …show more content…

Within this topic, the code mentions continuing improvement of the competence of CPAs in all areas in which they engage. In fact, the requirements of competence are established by law. If a man renders a service he is not familiar with, he commits a fraud on the public (However, CPAs are supposed in a reasonable manner to carry this principle beyond). The code of ethics assumes that in situations where CPAs face a problem he/she is not familiar with, they may ask other practitioners for help. A CPA may drop the case only when his/her efforts prove to be futile. From the other standpoint, there are always unknowns in every profession. Thus, to assume that every practitioner is completely knowledgeable would be inaccurate.

Responsibilities to Clients include CPAs' maintaining their independence, integrity and objectivity regardless of any personal interest that previously exists. CPAs should hold in confidence, all the information about their clients which they acquire during engagements. However the Code states that CPAs should insist on disclosing in financial reports, all information necessary for the fair presentation of the clients' affairs.

The accountancy laws in some states of the USA contain provisions which do not require disclosing information obtained during engagement by accountant in any court. These clauses directly interfere with federal jurisdiction. Federal

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