CPA Australia is a self-regulating professional association whose members voluntarily agree to be bound by various professional, technical and ethical standards.
These standards aim to ensure the accountancy profession works to a high level of professionalism; providing a quality of service which achieves credibility among, and the confidence of, the general public.
To ensure all members uphold these standards, CPA Australia has a formal process that enables complaints about its members to be heard, evaluated and, where appropriate, disciplinary action be taken.
CPA Australia recognises that the complaints process is an important step in ensuring the standards are upheld by all members.
CPA Australia has a Code of Professional Conduct (the Code) issued through the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board (APESB). The Code is an ethical pronouncement designed to provide members guidance regarding minimum acceptable standards of professional conduct. The Code addresses essential matters of principle, and compliance with it is mandatory for all members.
The main issues covered by the Code are:
Fundamental principles of professional conduct applicable to all members (such as the public interest, integrity, objectivity, independence, confidentiality, technical and professional standards, competence, due care and ethical behaviour).
Matters applicable to all members (such as professional competence and confidentiality).
Matters applicable mainly to members in public practice (such as professional fees, advisory services - fees and commissions, client monies, changes in professional appointments, referrals, incompatible business stationery and signboards, timely attention to correspondence and enquiries).
Statements, regulations and by-laws contained in other parts of the CPA Australia Members' Handbook.
Professional statements on independence, prospectuses and reports on profit forecasts, changes in professional appointments, referrals, opinion requests, professional fees and incompatible business.
This page is available online at:
http://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/cpa/hs.xsl/1041_7918_ENA_HTML.htm
