SAICA: Proposed Revised SAICA Code of Professional Conduct

SAICA: Proposed Revised SAICA Code of Professional Conduct

• 04 July 2025
• Professional Ethics
• South African Accounting Academy

Summary:
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) has released the Proposed Revised SAICA Code with South African Enhancements to the Ethics and Independence Standards for Sustainability Assurance.

Article:

SAICA previously published the new 2024 Code of Professional Conduct – Refer to our previous Alert dated 10 March 2025

The proposed revised SAICA Code of Professional Conduct now incorporates ethics standards for sustainability assurance including independence standards and the standard on using the work of external experts, with the necessary South African enhancements.

The due date for comment by members and associates, is 21 July 2025.

Since 2018, the SAICA Code has continued to track changes in the IESBA Code and IRBA Code and has been updated for those developments. 

South African adaptations include:

• A change to the name of the Code;
• Additional sub-headings for clarity;
• Additional words to certain paragraphs;

South African amendments, which are more substantive than adaptations, and require a change to the numbering system, are represented as follows:

• South African requirements and application material will include a reference to “SA”, e.g. R115.3 SA or 350.8 A1 SA;
• Paragraphs inserted between two consecutively numbered paragraphs will include an “a” in the paragraph number, e.g. R400.8a SA; and
• Paragraphs that are not South African paragraphs but that have been amended to reflect a change in status (e.g. from application material to a requirement) will also include a reference to “SA”, e.g. application paragraph changed to a requirement, 120.9 A2 to R120.9a SA.

Before being issued in its final form, the proposed amendments might be modified, considering comments received from members and through the SAICA governance processes.

Click here to download the 547-page document:

https://saicawebprstorage.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/resources/Exposure-Draft-Proposed-Revised-SAICA-Code-with-IESSA-and-Experts-SA-Enhancementss.pdf 

Relevance to Auditors, Independent Reviewers & Accountants:

• Adherence with our Code of Conduct is crucial in the performance of our duties.
• The SAICA Code is applicable to all SAICA Members and associates. A contravention of, or failure to comply with, any requirements in the SAICA Code may lead to disciplinary action.
• Auditors, Independent Reviewers and Accountants should be aware of the latest publications and guidance issued by regulators and standard-setting boards, such as the SAICA, IRBA and IESBA.
• The latest revisions will determine which sections of the SAICA Code must be applied by chartered accountants.
• This publication provides detail on some issues flowing forth from the recently Revised IESBA Code, and sets out the new final amendments and enhancements regarding sustainability-related issues, as well as the work of experts. It also incorporates the SA adaptations.
• The amendments will guide the ethical mindset and behaviour of professional accountants in business and in public practice as they deal with changes brought by sustainability and other relevant topics in their work processes and the content of the services they provide.
• Adherence to the Code will assist with proper application of the ethical principles.

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