Webinars On-Demand

Real Talk Ethics Series: Session 1 – NOCLAR & Reportable Irregularities: When Silence Isn’t Golden

Overview 

Accountants have a professional duty to respond to non-compliance with laws and regulations (NOCLAR); an obligation that is not only ethical but in most cases, a legal requirement. 

This webinar marks the first in a four-part ethics series presented by Caryn Maitland CA(SA). In this opening session, Caryn will explore the intersection between ethical responsibilities and statutory obligations, with a focus on how to confidently address suspected NOCLAR and Reportable Irregularities (RIs). 

Join Caryn Maitland CA(SA) for an engaging and practical session exploring the critical distinction between your ethical and legal duties. Discover the reporting mechanisms available to you and access practical tools to handle high-risk scenarios with professionalism and integrity. 

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills:  

• Interpret Section 260 of the IFAC Code and apply the ethical framework when encountering suspected or actual NOCLAR. 

• Distinguish between NOCLAR and Reportable Irregularities (RIs) under the Auditing Profession Act and understand when each is triggered. 

• Evaluate when and how to escalate issues from internal channels to regulators or oversight bodies, including the IRBA. 

• Understand the interplay between client confidentiality and the duty to report, including guidance under the Protected Disclosures Act. 

• Apply practical strategies for documentation, managing whistleblower risks, and communicating with governance bodies. 

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:   

• NOCLAR Framework (IFAC Code of Ethics – Section 260) 

  • Definition and scope of NOCL 

  • Professional accountant’s response framework 

  • Thresholds for disclosure 

  • Documentation and professional judgement 

•  Reportable Irregularities (Auditing Profession Act, s45 and Regulation 29 Companies Act) 

  • Definition and reporting process 

  • Timing: Initial notification and 30-day report 

  • IRBA responsibilities and auditor obligations/CUPC Responsibilites and independent reviewers 

  • Relationship to audit and other assurance engagements 

•  Legal Protections and Confidentiality 

  • Protected Disclosures Act and whistleblower safeguards 

  • Client confidentiality under the Code of Ethics 

  • Exceptions permitting or requiring disclosure 

•  Governance and Escalation 

  • Role of “those charged with governance” 

  • Communication protocols and tone at the top 

  • Escalation to regulators and professional bodies 

•  Practical Guidance 

  • Documentation best practices 

  • Managing conflict and resistance 

  • Ethical culture and firm-level readiness