Overview
Business ethics in a digital age requires accountants to navigate an increasingly complex environment where technology, data, and automation intersect with professional responsibility and judgement. This webinar highlights the top 10 ethical pitfalls faced by accountants in digitally enabled environments, with a strong focus on how ethical principles remain constant even as the risks evolve. It explores the growing reliance on systems, the ethical implications of data usage, and the importance of maintaining professional scepticism and accountability in fast-paced, technology-driven contexts.
Join Caryn Maitland CA(SA) on the 23rd of June 2026 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm as she unpacks the key ethical challenges in the digital landscape, applies the IFAC Code of Professional Conduct to real-world scenarios, and equips attendees with practical tools, including a Digital Ethics Red Flag Checklist, to strengthen ethical decision-making in practice.
Learning objectives
Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills:
• Understand how traditional ethical principles apply in modern, digital business environments
• Identify the top 10 digital-era ethical pitfalls encountered by accountants
• Apply the IFAC Code of Professional Conduct to technology-driven scenarios
• Recognise how data, systems, and automation increase ethical and professional risk
• Utilise a practical Digital Ethics Red Flag Checklist to identify and mitigate ethical risks
Content
The webinar will cover the following topics:
• Foundations: Ethics Do Not Change (Beginner Level)
o Public interest responsibility
o Fundamental principles of the IFAC Code of Professional Conduct
o Ethical responsibility versus technical compliance
• Digital Environment and Risk Context
o Digital transformation in accounting and business
o Increased reliance on systems, data, and automation
o Cyber risk as an ethical and operational issue
• Top 10 Digital Ethics Pitfalls (Core Session Content)
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Over-reliance on systems and automation
o “The system says it’s correct” mentality
o Loss of professional scepticism -
Data access without ethical oversight
o Excessive or inappropriate system access
o Confidentiality breaches through convenience -
Poor data governance and accountability
o Unclear ownership of data accuracy and integrity
o Ethical implications of weak controls -
Cybersecurity treated as an IT issue only
o Ethical responsibility for safeguarding information
o Accountant’s role in governance and oversight -
POPIA compliance reduced to a tick-box exercise
o Ethical versus legal compliance
o Practical confidentiality and consent failures -
Use of AI and automation without understanding
o Blind reliance on outputs
o Algorithmic bias and ethical accountability -
Third-party platforms and cloud providers
o Outsourcing without ethical oversight
o Responsibility does not transfer with data -
Speed over accuracy and integrity
o Pressure for real-time reporting
o Ethical risks in fast-paced digital environments -
Digital reporting and manipulation risks
o Technology-enabled misrepresentation
o Ethical responsibility in system-driven reporting -
Failure to escalate or challenge digital irregularities
o Silence as an ethical failure
o When ethical issues become reportable matters
• POPIA and Cyber Risk – Practical Alignment
o POPIA principles as ethical guardrails
o Confidentiality, minimality, and accountability
o Cyber incidents as ethical failures, not just security breaches
• Digital Ethics Red Flag Checklist (Take-Away Framework)
o Situations requiring heightened ethical scepticism
o Key questions accountants should ask when technology is involved
o Indicators of displaced ethical responsibility onto systems
Obtaining your CPD certificate
This training is compliant with the International Education Standard (IES7) issued by the International Federation of Accountants and recognised for CPD by relevant professional bodies including ACCA, CIMA, IAC, IIA, SAICA and SAIPA.
All attendees are issued with a CPD certificate available in an online profile.
About the presenter
Caryn Maitland CA(SA)
Caryn Maitland is a Chartered Accountant (SA). She has been a member of IRBA as a registered auditor and accountant since 2002 and is also a registered member of SAICA.
Caryn has lectured Auditing and Accounting at various institutions and has conducted independent workshops and seminars for professional accountants since 2006 on various topics. She has presented on the national tour for the annual Legislation Update with ProBeta Training (Pty) Ltd in 2014 and 2015, as well as on the FASSET national tour for the Tax Administration Act in 2014. Caryn is also involved with the annual SAICA SMP Technical tour.
Who should attend?
The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar:
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Practising accountants including: CA(SA), Professional Accountant (SA), AGA(SA), FCCA, BAP(SA), BA(SA) and ACCA.
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Registered auditors.
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Audit managers.
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Trainee accountants.
Price
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R 450.00 - Online admission - Individual.
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Group Price 1 - From R337 per person (up to 5 users)
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Group Price 2 - From R260 per person (up to 10 users)
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Group Price 3 - From R224 per person (over 11 users)
Steps to register for the event:
If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar.
If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar.
Click here to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series).
Click here to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options.
Additional material
By attending this webinar you will be provided with:
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A summarised slide presentation.
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Reference documents and/or course material where available.
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You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar.
Corporate training solutions
At the Accounting Academy, we recognize the evolving needs of businesses in today's dynamic environment. Beyond our standard webinar offerings, we provide tailored corporate training solutions designed to empower your team with the latest in accounting and professional skills. Whether you're looking for online sessions or face-to-face training, our programs are crafted to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
Drawing inspiration from modern training methodologies, our corporate solutions are interactive, adaptable, and focused on real-world applications. We prioritize hands-on learning, ensuring your team can immediately apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios.
Interested in a bespoke corporate training experience? Reach out to us at corporate@accountingacademy.co.za or call 010 593 0466. Together, let's design a training program that elevates your team's capabilities and aligns with your organizational goals.
Contact us
Have any questions or need any assistance? Contact us today!
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Online chat through our website.
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WhatsApp: Start chatting (+27635026114)
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Phone: 010 593 0466
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E-mail: ticket@accountingacademy.co.za