12.07.2015 Views

Financial Reporting and Ethics - The Institute of Chartered ...

Financial Reporting and Ethics - The Institute of Chartered ...

Financial Reporting and Ethics - The Institute of Chartered ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICSobjectivity are not clear - cut. It is up to a pr<strong>of</strong>essional accountant todetect situations <strong>of</strong> impairment. He should not render a pr<strong>of</strong>essionalservice where a situation or relationship unduly influences or biasesthe accountant’s pr<strong>of</strong>essional judgment in regard to that service.8.2.3 Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Competence <strong>and</strong> Due CarePr<strong>of</strong>essional accountants are obliged to demonstrate <strong>and</strong> maintainpr<strong>of</strong>essional skills <strong>and</strong> knowledge so as to deliver competent services.<strong>The</strong>y should act diligently, as required by applicable pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>and</strong>technical st<strong>and</strong>ards.Competent <strong>and</strong> diligent pr<strong>of</strong>essional service calls for the use <strong>of</strong> sound<strong>and</strong> analytical mind in applying pr<strong>of</strong>essional skills <strong>and</strong> knowledge inthe course <strong>of</strong> executing such services. Attaining <strong>and</strong> maintainingpr<strong>of</strong>essional competence is a continuing endeavour which should leadto the underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> developments in business, technical <strong>and</strong>pr<strong>of</strong>essional areas. Diligence includes the obligation to act within therequirements <strong>of</strong> an assigned work, taking into account timeliness,carefulness <strong>and</strong> thoroughness in execution.A pr<strong>of</strong>essional accountant should ensure that those who are under hisauthority <strong>and</strong> working for him in a pr<strong>of</strong>essional situation are inpossession <strong>of</strong> appropriate training <strong>and</strong> are well supervised. Wherenecessary, a pr<strong>of</strong>essional accountant is obliged to prepare the minds <strong>of</strong>clients, employers <strong>and</strong> other users <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>essional accountant’sservices on the possible limitations which are inherent in the servicesrendered.8.2.4 Confidentiality<strong>The</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> confidentiality, according to IFAC (2009), restrainspr<strong>of</strong>essional accountants from:(a)(b)Disclosing confidential information obtained in the course <strong>of</strong>business <strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional interactions, outside the company oremployment house, without proper <strong>and</strong> clear – cut authority, orwithout prejudice to a pr<strong>of</strong>essional or legal duty to so disclose;<strong>and</strong>Using confidential information obtained as a result <strong>of</strong> business<strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional relationships, for their personal benefits or theadvantage <strong>of</strong> third parties.A pr<strong>of</strong>essional accountant should maintain confidentiality, whereverhe might be, cognisant <strong>of</strong> the possibility <strong>of</strong> inadvertent disclosure whichcould take place, to a close business colleague or “a close or immediatefamily member.” Equally, he should maintain confidentiality <strong>of</strong>173

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!