The Ethical Code of Conduct for Professional Accountants
Professional accountants usually have professional certification from an accounting organization. The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is the most common certification. Individuals earn this through state accountancy boards which usually require accountants to abide by a code of ethics.
Identification
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is responsible for developing the professional accountant's code of conduct. The AICPA developed this code of conduct to ensure accountants understand their responsibilities to clients, investors and the general public.
Features
The AICPA code outlines integrity, objectivity, independence and due care in their ethical code of conduct. Integrity requires accountants to be honest and candid. Objectivity and independence obligates accountants to be impartial and avoid conflicts of interest. Accountants exercise due care by offering competent and diligent professional services.
Purpose
The AICPA code of professional conduct protects individuals from unscrupulous businesses. Professional accountants have the unique ethical responsibility to provide an accurate financial representation-whether good or bad-of companies to the general public. This responsibility requires strong ethics because professional accountants are paid by the business on which they report information.
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