Aicpa Code of Conduct

AICPA Code of Professional Conduct

ETH 376

September 10, 2012

AICPA Code of Conduct

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is an association of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and the code of conduct is used in determining the ethical obligations of the CPAs. The organization focuses on enhancing the accounting profession for CPAs and other professionals (Accounting @ Suite 101).

The AICPA maintains the Code of Professional Conduct and is the foundation of ethical reasoning of accounting. The code of conduct has multiple purposes or principles that guide members in performance of professional responsibilities and require a commitment to honor the public trust. The public includes clients, credit grantors, government, employers, and investors. The principles are based on values of the profession and traits of character that help CPAs meet obligations to the public. The principles are responsibilities, public interest, integrity, objectivity, due care, and scope and nature of services (Mintz & Morris, 2011).

Of the principles, integrity is the most important. Integrity enables a CPA to get past pressures from clients, employers, and others that may affect the CPA’s judgment. Individuals with integrity will do what is right even if the result is not beneficial to individual; these individuals act on principle (Mintz & Morris, 2011). Integrity helps professionals meet the ethical obligation to report factual documents to the public.

Objectivity is the second most important principle. This principle requires CPAs to be impartial, honest, and be able to avoid conflict of interests to meet professional responsibilities (Mintz & Morris, 2011). CPAs should not have any relationship with clients other than the job; developing relationships with clients will cloud judgment and possibly affect the initial task. The AICPA wants the professionals to be independent and honest at...