Overview

This series of seminars will deal with the principles of ethics applicable to accountants, the practical implementation of a workable framework and why it is important for professional accounting organisations to enforce these concepts and revaluate it every year.

Integrity and objectivity are two of the cornerstones of the accountancy profession that should constantly be evaluated considering today's evolving business environment and as corporate and government scandal continue to climb out of the woodwork.

Nicolaas van Wyk, CEO of SAIBA, will provide case studies drawn from real-life situations involving accountants in business. These real-world examples deal with management integrity, financial reporting and disclosure issues, financial fraud, corporate crises, and the accountant’s professional responsibility towards their client and the general public.

Looking at research on why good people sometimes do bad things and the effect a number-crunching culture can have on one’s view of ethics, he will then deal with how the profession seeks to keep professional accountants off the ethical slippery slope, by re-examining the fundamental principles contained in the accountants’ Code of Professional Conduct. Guidance will be given as to how professional accountants can reinforce their prevention focus to minimise the chance of ethical transgressions.

Course Content

• Dissect the ethical standards and considerations in terms of a professional code of conduct, international norms and legislative prescription are critical to local accountants in both the private and public sector
• Discuss new and revised rules proposed and adopted by local professional bodies like the South African Institute of Business accountants (SAIBA) and international intermediaries like the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
• Incorporate and apply ethical standards and considerations to real-life industry situations
• Recognise the responsibility of professional organisations to educate its membership and enforce rules related to firm composition, duties, and conduct
• Noclar and IFACs Code of Professional Conduct and the general application thereof (fundamental principles, threats, safeguards)
• Special ethical issues in select areas: revenue recognition, materiality, permitted services, client confidentiality, and independence; and how to apply the conceptual framework approach to address an ethical matter
• Apply the ethics rules applicable to due care and competency
• Conflicts of Interest and independence rules

Who should attend: 

• Accountants in practice 
• Accounting officers 
• Independent reviewers
• Engagement team members

CPD

Attendance of the half-day seminar/webinar will accrue 4 hours’ CPD for members of a relevant professional body such as ACCA, SAICA, AAT, SAIPA, SAIBA, IAC, CIS, ICBA, LSSA, FPI, and the IBA.

Complete the free online assessment at the end of the event and receive an additional 1 CPD hour.