Aicpa Code of Professional Conduct
AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is a group of CPAs that span across the globe. Its members are all volunteers and consist of over 350,000 people. Most of their debates and discussions are how accountants should handle certain professional issues. There are six principles within the AICPA code of professional conduct; responsibilities; public interest; integrity; objectivity and independence; due care; and scope and nature of services. Although all six principles are extremely important for an accountant to uphold one of the most important principles is responsibility. The organization believes that the CPAs have a responsibility to uphold morals and values when dealing with the public professionally. Accountants are often dealing with sensitive information, it is very important that they keep these documents and information secure for their clients. Leaking out personal bank accounts, social security information, or passwords can cripple a customer and organization. Word of mouth spreads rapidly if a client or organization finds out that their accountant is unethical; the last thing an accountant wants is to have a tainted reputation. Public interest is another valuable principle for an accountant to possess. “Members should accept the obligation to act in a way that will serve the public interest, honor the public trust, and demonstrate commitment to professionalism.” (2013, aicpa.org) The AICPA feels that it is the accountants’ obligation to solve the problems of their clients and serve their best interests; keeping in mind the laws at which they must abide. According to dictionary.com integrity is the “adherence to moral and ethical principles” which is another significant belief in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants code of professional conduct. Integrity is important in accounting in that it requires them to be honest and direct with information. Certified Public
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is a group of CPAs that span across the globe. Its members are all volunteers and consist of over 350,000 people. Most of their debates and discussions are how accountants should handle certain professional issues. There are six principles within the AICPA code of professional conduct; responsibilities; public interest; integrity; objectivity and independence; due care; and scope and nature of services. Although all six principles are extremely important for an accountant to uphold one of the most important principles is responsibility. The organization believes that the CPAs have a responsibility to uphold morals and values when dealing with the public professionally. Accountants are often dealing with sensitive information, it is very important that they keep these documents and information secure for their clients. Leaking out personal bank accounts, social security information, or passwords can cripple a customer and organization. Word of mouth spreads rapidly if a client or organization finds out that their accountant is unethical; the last thing an accountant wants is to have a tainted reputation. Public interest is another valuable principle for an accountant to possess. “Members should accept the obligation to act in a way that will serve the public interest, honor the public trust, and demonstrate commitment to professionalism.” (2013, aicpa.org) The AICPA feels that it is the accountants’ obligation to solve the problems of their clients and serve their best interests; keeping in mind the laws at which they must abide. According to dictionary.com integrity is the “adherence to moral and ethical principles” which is another significant belief in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants code of professional conduct. Integrity is important in accounting in that it requires them to be honest and direct with information. Certified Public
References: AICPA . (2013). Retrieved from http://www.aicpa.org/Research/Standards/CodeofConduct/Pages/sec50.aspx integrity. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved May 19, 2013, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/integrity Mintz, DBA, CPA, S. M., & Morris, PhD, CPA, R. E. (2011). Ethical Obligations and Decision Making in Accounting. Text and Cases (2nd ed.). Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/TOC.aspx?assetMetaId=088dfd88-1e44-4f67-9b2f-3757d1228557&assetDataId=fa54073e-f5e7-40f8-92cb-a6c7f4c18c6c.