Codes of Conduct - Essay Example

Business: s of Conduct. The first document is from the AICPA, consisting of an extensive of Conduct for its members, all of whom are qualified professionals presumably working in the field of accountancy and in locations such as “public practice, industry, government and education.” (AICPA Code, 2011, Introduction). The form it takes is structured guidance, stating what good practice is and calling on members to voluntarily abide by them. It aims to have a broad focus on general conduct, and to apply across the whole of the United States, although guidance is given to consult also with local CPA societies for any regional variations.

The code outlines the main principles underlying the work of accountants, along with key concepts such as public interest, integrity, objectivity, independence and due care which are first defined and then further explained with reference to common examples from the professional field of accounting. The second document is from the same umbrella organization, the AICPA, but it has a much narrower emphasis on the domain of tax services. The document is divided into chapters and subchapters, with paragraphs numbered and grouped under headings.

The content of this document is very specific indeed, advising accountants on how to interpret key terms as they are used by people dealing with tax forms. The detail is explained with an eye to the professional standards that are required by the AICPA organization, and also to legal and administrative requirements. There is an emphasis on clarifying any areas of possible ambiguity, and giving good advice that will pre-empt any adverse experiences occurring for the accountant or his /her client.

This is a practical document, for use in daily tax advising and tax form completion and its structure lends itself to being used as a reference source. The IMA document is much shorter, and in a language that is less technical than the AICPA documents. It is not a set of rules and guidelines, which members have to follow, but a statement of how members will actively engage in ethical conduct. The statement is set out like a promise, using the words “Members of IMA shall behave ethically .

shall act in accordance with these principles,. shall encourage others.” (IMA, no date). This document is set out to be much more like a shorthand reminder of important principles, since it does not go into any fine detail. It uses many abstract concepts with a positive connotation like “Honesty, Fairness, Objectivity, Responsibility” and “professional expertise, knowledge and skills.” This language is not especially technical, and can be understood by people who are not accountants, as well as professionals in the field, and so it could serve to publicize the work of the IMA outside the profession as well as inside.

Most of the document is very general with the exception of the end of the document where the last paragraph offers the services of an IMA Ethics Counselor, or other impartial advisor or attorney. In summary, all three documents cover similar ground, but the AICA documents are broader and more thorough, with plenty of technical information, while IMA document is easier to follow, but rather more superficial and idealistic. References AICPA American Institute of CPAs Code of Professional Conduct. 2011. Available online at: http://www.aicpa.org/Research/Standards/CodeofConduct/Pages/default.

aspx AICPA American Institute of CPAs Statements on Standards for Tax Services. 2010. Available online at: http://www.aicpa.org/RESEARCH/STANDARDS/TAX/Pages/default.aspx IMA Institute of Management Accountants Statement of Ethical Professional Practice. (No date). Available online at: http://www.imanet.org/PDFs/Statement%20of%20Ethics_web.pdf