A recent article by Chartered Accountants
Worldwide notes that “A Chartered Accountant’s training imbues them with
values and ethics that help them to resist external pressure and to do the
right thing at all times.”
As Chartered Accountants (CAs), we should always live by a
set of core values that motivates us to do the right thing, and be vigilant and
accountable always. This grounding becomes increasingly important given the
ethical challenges facing a Chartered Accountant, as the person who must
deliver the business results. If the business isn’t delivering what it hopes to
achieve, then there might be pressure to make them look better than they are. The
situation is more complicated because of the subjectivity involved in preparing
financial statements. There is pressure to reflect positive results, so a CA is
always under pressure to produce favourable results. It is important for CAs to
stick to the code of conduct and behave in an ethical manner.
Ethical questions aren’t limited to presenting financial
results. Tackling difficult situations calls for strong character as a business
leader. You need to be able to say no, you need to be able to ask tough
questions and make difficult decisions - and you need to do what is right. Chartered
Accountants must uphold the values they learn during their training. They have
a responsibility and integrity to upkeep…It’s important to have this inner
compass to be true to this belief and be able to overcome the pressures from
the other people who expect us to compromise on this integrity.
To learn more, read the article “The
only way is ethics: how Chartered Accountants can steer firms the right way”
and listen to the YouTube videos presenting what other CAs have to say about
ethical matters. Also, refer to previous blog postings on “ethics
and professional judgment.”
