CODE OF ETHICS
FOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS

PREFACE

Accounting Professionals are expected to observe high ethical standards. This is one way which makes a professional qualification differs from an academic one. Professional Accountants holds positions of trust which can be damaged by malpractice or poor behavior. A Code of Ethics guides Accountants in their professional and Managerial decisions and conduct. Over and above, Code of Ethics governs and regulates behavior and identifies professional Accountants as members of a profession. 


Zimbabwe Institute of Computerised Accounting is a professional Accountancy Body that regulates professional Accountants, it therefore has a responsibility to the public to ensure its members and students appreciate and abide by their ethical values. The Institute expects its members and students to have a good understanding of the fundamentals of professional ethics and to know the constrains placed on them as individuals in practice on their jobs.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Accountancy profession accepts its responsibility to acting the public interest. In acting in the public interest, a professional Accountant shall observe and comply with this Code. A professional Accountant shall comply with the following fundamental Principles:

  • Integrity – to be honest and straightforward in all professional and business relationships
  • Objectivity – Avoid bias, conflict of interest or undue influence of others to override professional or business judgments.
  • Confidentiality – to respect the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of professional or business relationship and therefore not to disclose any such information to third parties without proper and specific authority, unless where there is legal or professional right or duty to do so.
  • Professional Behavior – to comply with relevant laws and regulations and avoid any action that discredit the profession.
  • Professional Competence & Due Care – to maintain professional knowledge and skills at the level required to ensure that a client or employer receives competent professional services based on current developments in practice, legislation and techniques and act diligently and in accordance with applicable technical and professional