FUNDAMENTAL ETHICS FOR ACCOUNTANTS

Course overview

This course introduces professional ethics for accountants, focusing on the key principles outlined in the APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. It covers the fundamental duties of integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality, and professional behaviour, using real-world scenarios to illustrate ethical decision-making in practice.

Course objectives

• Understand the importance of ethics in the accounting profession and how ethical responsibilities extend beyond legal compliance.
• Identify the five fundamental principles of the APES 110 Code of Ethics and explain their significance in professional practice.
• Recognise common ethical dilemmas and threats that professional accountants may encounter (such as conflicts of interest, undue influence, or confidentiality issues).
• Apply a conceptual framework to evaluate ethical issues, identify threats to ethical compliance, and determine appropriate safeguards or actions.
• Appreciate the role of ethical conduct in upholding public trust, and learn strategies to foster an ethical culture within an organisation.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between legal obligations and ethical responsibilities in accounting scenarios, and act in accordance with professional ethical standards even when not mandated by law.
• Describe the purpose and structure of the APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, including its fundamental principles and the overarching requirement to act in the public interest.
• Demonstrate understanding of each fundamental ethical principle (integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality, and professional behaviour) and identify examples of behaviours that uphold or breach these principles.
• Apply the APES 110 Code’s conceptual framework to real-life situations by identifying threats to ethical compliance (such as self-interest, self-review, advocacy, familiarity, and intimidation threats) and deciding on appropriate safeguards or actions (like disclosure, oversight, or declining engagements) to address those threats.
• Respond effectively to ethical dilemmas, such as pressures to act unethically or conflicts between confidentiality and other duties, by exercising professional judgment, seeking guidance when necessary, and prioritising ethical principles and the public interest.