While pursuing ACCA in Pakistan, there are specific ethical grounds set by ACCA global to follow the same code of conduct of this prestigious qualification worldwide.
That’s because ACCA is a standardized qualification endorsed by international authorities. So, in this article, we are here to express further the importance of ethics for an ACCA qualified person.
Professional Ethics for ACCA
The professional ethics for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants has been laid to be standardized by the international federation of accountants (IFAC). In that case, any potential ACCA member has to abide by the benchmarked ethical milestones.
International Ethics Standards Board of Accountants (IESBA)
The IESBA professional ethics are mandated for ACCA members since it is endorsed by millions of ACCA members worldwide. The professional code of ethics and conduct were initially incorporated in April 2018 and became practical in June 2019.
If you wonder why accountants need to follow these defined codes of ethics. In that case, that’s because certified accountants are obliged to handle ethical and independent situations and need some principles to follow to make critical decisions. However, the static professional ethics rules were revamped and rolled out by the IFAC to be more flexible in approaching various sectors under defined principles such as:
1- Complying with the Code, Fundamental Principles, and Conceptual Framework
2- Professional accountants in business
3- Professional accountants in public practice
4- International Independence Standards
Although the professional code of ethics structure may be altered/revamped, the principles are the same. These principles are followed by certified accountants to notice, assess, analyze, look out for uncertainty, solve and implement decisions by following the defined ethical codes.
ACCA Code of Ethics
The professional ACCA code of ethics is mandated to all members of ACCA and students worldwide. The potential students and members are obliged to sign a contract with ACCA global to be following the rules and regulations with defined principles of ACCA membership. After grabbing the recognition by registering with ACCA, students must comply with the ACCA rule book by signing an undertaking.
What are the Fundamental Ethical Principles for ACCA?
In section A of professional ethics, there are altogether five ethical principles that imply to ACCA members worldwide as:
1- Maintaining Integrity
One of the fundamental principles for ACCA is to maintain integrity in all interpersonal relationships. This also includes upkeep transparency in business practice and decision-making.
2- Autonomy
Being an ACCA member does not allow you to be bound before the unjust approaches. You have all rights to object in case of any biased activity. In addition, ACCA ethical grounds endorses whistleblowers to come forward and speak up against undue influence.
3- Professional Competency
ACCA ethical principles require members to be competent enough to resolve uncertain situations with adequate skills and techniques. Moreover, ACCA members need to have the expertise and a solid grasp of ethical principles to make critical decisions.
4- Maintaining Confidentiality
ACCA members worldwide are bound not to disclose any sensitive organization they are working for. That’s because ACCA members are mainly responsible for handling accounting and financial affairs and matters. In that case, they will likely have access to sensitive information about a particular.
However, ACCA members are obliged to abide by confidentiality to respect the professional, ethical code of conduct for ACCA. This is the foremost moral code that ensures trust and maintains integral relationships.
5- Respecting Regular Law
As a member of ACCA, you are compelled to follow the professional code of ethics defined by the ACCA global forum and follow and dignify general rules and regulations by law enforcement authorities in your country.