Webinars On-Demand

Ethics series Topic 3 “Split Loyalties: When the Client Pays But the Public Trusts”

Overview 

In the world of accounting and auditing, professionals often face the challenge of balancing client loyalty with their responsibility to the public interest. Ethical decision-making can become particularly complex when financial incentives, professional relationships, and public accountability intersect. This session explores the ethical dilemmas that arise when the individual or organisation paying for a professional service is not the primary beneficiary of the work’s integrity and transparency.
Join Caryn Maitland CA(SA) on the 18th of November 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm as she unpacks real-life examples, professional standards, and practical strategies to help you navigate conflicts of interest and uphold ethical principles when client and public expectations collide.

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills:  

• Understand the ethical implications of dual loyalties in professional practice.
• Identify and assess potential conflicts of interest between client expectations and public accountability.
• Apply relevant sections of the IFAC Code of Ethics and SAICA’s Code of Professional Conduct to real-world scenarios.
• Develop strategies to maintain professional objectivity and independence under pressure.
• Strengthen your ability to communicate and justify ethical decisions confidently.

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:   

• Understanding Split Loyalties in the Accounting Profession
o Defining client versus public interest obligations.
o Recognising how commercial pressures can influence ethical judgment.
o The role of professional scepticism and independence.
o Case studies illustrating split loyalties in practice.

• Ethical Frameworks and Guidance
o Overview of the IFAC and SAICA Codes of Ethics.
o Key principles: integrity, objectivity, professional competence, and confidentiality.

• Managing and Mitigating Ethical Dilemmas
o Practical tools for identifying, evaluating, and addressing conflicts of interest.
o Steps for ethical decision-making when under pressure.

• Real-Life Scenarios and Discussion
o Interactive examples highlighting dilemmas between client expectations and public accountability.
o Lessons from recent professional misconduct cases and their implications.