The state of mind that permits the expression of a conclusion without being affected by influences that compromise professional judgement, thereby allowing an individual to act with integrity and exercise objectivity and professional scepticism, is called:Accountants and businesses can use a number of measures to address threats, including applying safeguards. Essentially, safeguards are measures that can be put in place to counter the threats, assuming the accountant considers that the threats will not compromise the member’s adherence to any of the five principles. As stipulated in APES 100.2c ‘Safeguards are necessary when the Member determines that the threats are not at a level at which a reasonable and informed third party would be likely to conclude, weighing all the specific facts and circumstances available to the Member at that time, that compliance with the fundamental principles is not compromised.’ Show
Safeguards fall into two broad categories: (a) safeguards created by the profession, legislation or regulation (as per APES 100.14). These include, but not limited to:
(b) safeguards in a work environment including internal systems, practices, perspectives or structures within organisations that reduce the likelihood of threats (independent of external regulations, adapted from APES 300.14). These include, but not limited to:
Ethical thinking/conceptual frameworkThe APESB has developed a conceptual framework to help members resolve accounting ethcial problems. APES100.5 provides a conceptual framework that requires a member to identify, evaluate and address threats to compliance with the fundamental principles, rather than merely comply with a set of specific rules which may be arbitrary. When initiating either a formal or informal conflict resolution process, a Member should consider the following, either individually or together with others, as part of the resolution process:
When applying the conceptual framework (applicable from 31st December 2021), the Member shall: (a) Have an inquiring mind when identifying, evaluating and addressing threats to the fundamental principles. This represents the need to consider the source, relevance and sufficiency of information obtained taking into account the nature, scope and outputs of the professional activity being undertaken and being open and alert to a need for further investigation or other action. (b) Exercise professional judgement, which involves the application of relevant training, professional knowledge, skill and experience commensurate with the facts and circumstances, taking into account the nature and scope of the particular professional activities, and the interests and relationships involved.; and (c) Use the reasonable and informed third party test which is a consideration by the member about whether the same conclusions would likely be reached by another party. Such consideration is made from the perspective of a reasonable and informed third party, who weighs all the relevant facts and circumstances that the member knows, or could reasonably be expected to know, at the time the conclusions are made. The reasonable and informed third party does not need to be a member, but would possess the relevant knowledge and experience to understand and evaluate the appropriateness of the member’s conclusions in an impartial manner. Overall the conceptual framework to ethical conflict resolution seeks to identify the problem and provide solutions to enable a business to meet their responsibility to act in the public interest. This framework is very important in businesses, as it provides the basis from which entities may seek to prevent, manage or rectify an ethical conflict. Which of the following is an example of a safeguard created by the professional legislation or regulation?100.14 Safeguards created by the profession, legislation or regulation include: Educational, training and experience requirements for entry into the profession. Continuing professional development requirements. Corporate governance regulations.
What are the threats and safeguard measures in professional ethics?A “threat” is the risk that relationships or circumstances could compromise a member's compliance with rules of the AIPCA Code of Professional Conduct. “Safeguards” are actions or other measures that eliminate threats or reduce them to acceptable levels.
What are the 5 basic principles in professional ethics?It is divided into three sections, and is underpinned by the five fundamental principles of Integrity, Objectivity, Professional competence and due care, Confidentiality, and Professional behaviour.
What are safeguards in ethics?An ethical safeguard provides guidance or a course of action which attempts to remove the ethical threat. Ethical threats apply to accountants - whether in practice or business. The safeguards to those threats vary depending on the specific threat.
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