INTRODUCTION OF THE CODE
PURPOSE
The Code has been published with a purpose of reflecting the accountancy profession’s recognition of its public interest
responsibility. With this, the following overarching requirements have been set out in the Code to exemplify this
responsibility:
Overarching
Discussion
Requirement
Fundamental principles of ethics for These principles establish the standard of behavior expected of a professional
professional accountants
accountant (COBID).
1. Integrity,
2. Objectivity,
3. Professional competence and Due care,
4. Confidentiality, and
5. Professional Behavior.
The professional accountants shall apply the framework in order to identify,
Conceptual Framework
evaluate and address threats to compliance with the fundamental principles.
International
Independence Established for audits, reviews and other assurance engagements regarding threats
Standards
to independence specific to these engagements.
STRUCTURE
Presented below is a diagram representing the materials found on the new edition of the Code:
PART 1: Complying with the Code, Fundamental Principles and Conceptual Framework
Part 2: Professional Accountants in
Part 3: Professional Accountants in Public Practice (PAPPs)
Business (PAIBs)
Part 4B: Independence for Assurance
Part 4A: Independence for Audit and
Engagements other than Audit and
Review Engagements
Review Engagements
Notes:
 Part 1 is applicable to all professional accountants (PAs).
 Part 2 is applicable to PAIBs when performing professional activities. PAIBs include PAs engaged or contracted in
an executive or non-executive capacity in, for example:
o Commerce, industry or service.
o The public sector.
o Education.
o The not-for-profit sector.
o Regulatory or professional bodies.
Part 2 is also applicable to PAPPs when performing professional activities pursuant to their relationship with the
firm, whether as a contractor, employee or owner.
 Part 3 is applicable to PAPPs.
 Parts 4A and 4B comprise the International Independence Standards.
Part
Parts 1, 2 and 3
Part 4A - relating to independence for audit and review
engagements
Part 4B - relating to independence for assurance
engagements with respect to subject matter covering periods
Note: Early adoption is permitted.
Effective Date
As of June 15, 2019
Effective for audits and reviews of financial statements for
periods beginning on or after June 15, 2019.
Effective for periods beginning on or after June 15, 2019;
otherwise, it will be effective as of June 15, 2019.
0
PART 1 - COMPLYING WITH THE CODE, FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Complying with the Code
A PA shall comply with the Code. In the case that laws or regulations preclude a PA from complying with certain parts
of the Code, the laws and regulations shall prevail and the PA shall comply with all other parts of the code. This requirement
relates to the fundamental principle of professional behavior which requires the PA to comply with Code.
Breaches of the Code
Presented below is a table of requirements pertaining to breaches of compliance with the Code.
Breach
Requirements
of International Independence
Refer to Parts 4A and 4B of the Code.
Standards
The PA who identifies a breach of any other provision of the Code shall (EAR):
of any other provision of the
1. Evaluate the significance and impact of the breach; and
Code
2. Take whatever Actions might be available immediately to address the
consequences; and
3. Determine whether to Report the breach to the relevant parties.
Fundamental Principles
There are five fundamental principles of ethics (COBID) that PAs should comply with as presented below:
Fundamental Principle
Definition
Integrity
To be straightforward and honest in all professional and business relationships.
Objectivity
Not to compromise professional or business judgments because of bias, conflict of interest or
undue influence of others.
Professional
Competence and Due
Care
(1) To attain and maintain professional knowledge and skill at the level required to ensure that a
client or employing organization receives competent professional service; and (2) to act diligently
and in accordance with applicable technical and professional standards.
Confidentiality
To respect the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of professional and business
relationships.
Professional Behavior
A professional accountant shall continue to comply with the principle of confidentiality even after
the end of the relationship between the accountant and a client or employing organization.
To comply with relevant laws and regulations and avoid any conduct that the professional
accountant knows or should know might discredit the profession.
Conceptual Framework
The environment and circumstances in which a PA renders its services and activities may create threats to compliance with
the fundamental principles as previously discussed. As such, the conceptual framework has been set out on the code to set
out requirements on how to appropriately deal with these threats.
Three-step Approach of the Conceptual Framework
Details of the three-step approach mentioned previously are presented on the below table:
Step
Discussion
Identifying threats The PA shall identify the threats to compliance with fundamental principles which fall into one or more
of the following categories (I-FASS):
 Self-interest threat – the threat that a financial or other interest will inappropriately influence
a PA’s judgment or behavior;
 Self-review threat – the threat that a professional accountant will not appropriately evaluate
the results of a previous judgment made;
 Advocacy threat – the threat that a professional accountant will promote a client’s or
employing organization’s position to the point that the accountant’s objectivity is compromised;
 Familiarity threat – the threat that due to a long or close relationship with a client, or
employing organization, a professional accountant will be too sympathetic to their interests
or too accepting of their work; and
 Intimidation threat – the threat that a professional accountant will be deterred from acting
objectively because of actual or perceived pressures, including attempts to exercise undue
influence over the accountant.
Evaluating threats
Addressing threats
The PA shall evaluate whether such threat is at an acceptable level. Examples of conditions, policies
and procedures relevant in evaluating the levels of the threat are as follows:
 Corporate governance requirements.
 Educational, training and experience requirements for the profession.
 Effective complaint systems which enable the professional accountant and the general
public to draw attention to unethical behavior.
 An explicitly stated duty to report breaches of ethics requirements.
 Professional or regulatory monitoring and disciplinary procedures.
Threats identified that are not at an acceptable level must be addressed in one of three ways (ESE):
a. Eliminating the circumstances, including interests or relationships, that are creating the
threats;
b. Applying safeguards, where available and capable of being applied, to reduce the threats to
an acceptable level; or
c. Declining or ending the specific professional activity.
Forming Overall Conclusion
In forming an overall conclusion, through the three-step approach of the Conceptual Framework, the PA is required to
“step back” through the following actions:
1. Review any significant judgments made or conclusions reached; and
2. Use the reasonable and informed third party test.
PART 2 – PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS IN BUSINESS (PAIBs)
PAIBs play an important role as to the reliability of information that investors, creditors, employing organizations and other
sectors of the business community, as well as governments and the general public, may rely upon. As such, the second
part of the Code details on how PAIBs should apply the Conceptual Framework approach presented in Part 1. It also
includes the discussion of the following circumstances that may create threats to compliance with fundamental principles:
Main Fundamental Principle/s
Circumstance
Main Threat/s Created
Affected
Conflict of Interest
Self-interest
Objectivity
Preparation and presentation of information
Self-interest; intimidation
All
Professional competence and due
Acting with sufficient expertise
Self-interest
care
Financial Interests, Compensation and Incentives
Self-interest
Objectivity; Confidentiality
Inducements, Including Gifts and Hospitality
Self-interest; Familiarity;
Integrity; Objectivity; Professional
Intimidation
Behavior
Responding to Non-compliance with Laws and
Self-interest; Intimidation
Integrity; Professional behavior
Regulations (NOCLAR)
Pressure to Breach the Fundamental principles
Intimidation
All
As presented previously, PAIBs should comply with the fundamental principles and apply the three-step approach
introduced in the conceptual framework.
Three-step Approach for PAIBs
Step
Discussion
Step
Discussion
Identifying threats Examples of facts and circumstances that may create threats for PAIBs are as follows:
 Self-interest threat
o A PA holding a financial interest in, or receiving a loan or guarantee from, the
employing organization.
o A PA participating in incentive compensation arrangements offered by the
employing organization.
o A PA having access to corporate assets for personal use.
o A PA being offered a gift or special treatment from a supplier of the employing
organization.
 Self-review threat
o A PA determining the appropriate accounting treatment for a business combination
after performing the feasibility study supporting the purchase decision.
 Advocacy threat
o A PA having the opportunity to manipulate information in a prospectus in order to
obtain favorable financing.
 Familiarity threat
o A PA being responsible for the financial reporting of the employing organization
when an immediate or close family member employed by the organization makes
Evaluating threats
Addressing threats
decisions that affect the financial reporting of the organization.
o A PA having a long association with individuals influencing business decisions.
 Intimidation threat
o A PA or immediate or close family member facing the threat of dismissal or
replacement over a disagreement about:
 The application of an accounting principle.
 The way in which financial information is to be reported.
o An individual attempting to influence the decision-making process of the PA
PAIB’s evaluation of the level of threat is greatly influenced by the work environment within the
employing organization and its operating environment. Examples of which are as follows:
 Leadership - that stresses the importance of ethical behavior and the expectation that
employees will act in an ethical manner.
 Policies and procedures - that empower and encourage employees to communicate ethics
issues that concern them to senior levels of management without fear of retribution; to
implement and monitor the quality of employee performance.
 Systems of corporate oversight
 Strong internal controls
 Recruitment procedures - that emphasize the importance of employing high caliber
competent personnel.
 Timely communication of policies and procedures - including any changes to them, to
all employees, and appropriate training and education on such policies and procedures.
 Ethics and code of conduct policies.
Refer to discussions of conflict of interest and pressure to breach fundamental principles for the
examples of actions that might address threats.
Note: In extreme situations, if the circumstances that created the threats cannot be eliminated and
safeguards are not available or capable of being applied to reduce the threat to an acceptable level,
it might be appropriate for a PA to resign from the employing organization.
Communicating with Those Charged with Governance (TCWG)
The PA shall determine the appropriate individuals within the employing organization’s governance structure with whom to
communicate. The PA may consider:
1. The nature and importance of the circumstances; and
2. The matter to be communicated.
PART 3 – PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS IN PUBLIC PRACTICE (PAPPs)
PAPPs play an essential role in the efficiency and effectiveness of financial markets and reliability of information. This is
manifested through the professional services that they undertake with various clients across different types of industries.
The third part of the Code details on how PAPPs should apply the Conceptual Framework approach presented in Part 1.
It also includes the discussion of the following circumstances that may create threats to compliance with fundamental
principles:
Main Fundamental Principle/s
Circumstance
Main Threat/s Created
Affected
Conflict of Interest
Self-interest
Objectivity
Professional Appointments
All
All
Second Opinions
Professional Competence and Due
Self-interest
Care
Fees and other types of Remuneration
Professional Competence and Due
Self-interest
Care; Objectivity
Inducements, Including Gifts and Hospitality
Self-interest; Familiarity;
Integrity; Objectivity and Professional
Intimidation
Behavior
Custody of Client Assets
Self-interest
Objectivity; Professional Behavior
Responding to Non-compliance with Laws and
Self-interest; Intimidation
Integrity; Professional behavior
Regulations (NOCLAR)
Three-step Approach for PAPPs
Step
Discussion
Identifying Examples of facts and circumstances that may create threats for PAPPs when undertaking professional
threats services are as follows:
 Self-interest threat
o A PA having a direct financial interest in a client
o A PA quoting a low fee to obtain a new engagement
o A PA having a close business relationship with a client.
o A PA having access to confidential information that might be used for personal gain.
o A PA discovering a significant error when evaluating the results of a previous professional
service performed by a member of the accountant’s firm.
 Self-review threat
o A PA issuing an assurance report on the effectiveness of the operation of financial systems
after implementing the systems.
o A PA having prepared the original data used to generate records that are the subject matter
of the assurance engagement.
 Advocacy threat
o A PA promoting the interests of, or shares in, a client.
o A PA acting as an advocate on behalf of a client in litigation or disputes with third parties.
o A PA lobbying in favor of legislation on behalf of a client.
 Familiarity threat
o A PA having a close or immediate family member who is a director or officer of the client.
o A director or officer of the client or an employee in a position to exert significant influence
over the subject matter of the engagement, having recently served as the engagement partner.
o An audit team member having a long association with the audit client.
 Intimidation threat
o A PA being threatened with dismissal from a client engagement or the firm because of a
disagreement about a professional matter.
o A PA feeling pressured to agree with the judgment of a client because the client has more
expertise on the matter in question.
o A PA being informed that a planned promotion will not occur unless the accountant agrees
with an inappropriate accounting treatment.
o A PA having accepted a significant gift from a client and being threatened that acceptance of
this gift will be made public.
Evaluating
threats
Addressing
threats
PAPP’s evaluation of the level of threat is greatly influenced by the conditions, policies and procedures
relating to the following:
 Client and its Operating Environment – level of threat may be impacted by whether the client
is:
o An audit client and whether the audit client is a public interest entity (PIE);
o An assurance client that is not an audit client; or
o A non-assurance client
 Firm and its Operating Environment – Examples of the conditions, policies and procedures
are:
o Leadership of the firm
o Policies or procedures on ethics
o Compensation, performance appraisal and disciplinary policies and procedures
o Management of the reliance on revenue received from a single client.
o Engagement partner’s authority
o Educational, training and experience requirements.
o Processes to facilitate and address internal and external concerns or complaints
Sample safeguards that may address threats include:
 Assigning additional time and qualified personnel
 Having an appropriate reviewer
 Using different partners and engagement teams with separate reporting lines for the provision of
non-assurance services to an assurance client might address self-review, advocacy or familiarity
threats.
 Involving another firm to perform or re-perform part of the engagement might address self- interest,
self-review, advocacy, familiarity or intimidation threats.
 Disclosing to clients any referral fees or commission arrangements
 Separating teams when dealing with matters of a confidential nature
Communicating with TCWG
The PA shall determine the appropriate individuals within the entity’s governance structure with whom to communicate.
The PA may consider:
1. The nature and importance of the circumstances; and
2. The matter to be communicated.
PART 4 – INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENCE STANDARDS (IISs)
The Code has specifically set out IISs to apply the conceptual framework and address the threats to compliance with
these overarching requirements. The IISs are composed of two parts as follows:
 Part 4A – Independence for Audit and Review Engagements, which applies when performing audit or review
engagements.
 Part 4B – Independence for Assurance Engagements Other than Audit and Review Engagements, which applies
when performing assurance engagements that are not audit or review engagements.
Considerations for Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Engagements
The Conceptual Framework of the Code presents the following as additional considerations for audits, reviews and other
assurance engagements:
1. Independence; and
2. professional skepticism
Independence
Professional Skepticism
Independence is comprised of:
Note that professional skepticism and the fundamental
 Independence of mind – the state of mind that principles are inter-related concepts. As such, in an audit of
permits the expression of a conclusion without being financial statements, compliance by the PAPP with the
affected by influences that compromise professional fundamental principles, individually and collectively, supports
judgment, thereby allowing an individual to act with the exercise of professional skepticism. This can be
integrity, and exercise objectivity and professional demonstrated as follows:
skepticism.
1. Integrity relates to PAs critical assessment of auditevidence.
 Independence in appearance – the avoidance of 2. Objectivity relates to PAs manner of behavior such as
facts and circumstances that are so significant that
familiarity with client that might compromise PA’s judgment.
a reasonable and informed third party would belikely 3. Professional competence and due care relates to the PA’s
to conclude that a firm’s or an audit or assurance
application of knowledge of industry or business, design and
team member’s integrity, objectivity or professional
performance of procedures and relevant knowledge to
critically assess evidence.
skepticism has been compromised.
PART 4A - INDEPENDENCE FOR AUDIT AND REVIEW ENGAGEMENTS, WHICH APPLIES WHEN PERFORMING
AUDIT OR REVIEW ENGAGEMENTS
Important note: This Part applies to both audit and review engagements. The term “professional accountant (PA)” refers
to individual professional accountants in public practice and their firms.
The first section of Part 4A discusses the application of the Conceptual Framework as presented in Part 1.
Period during which Independence is required
Independence, as required by this Part, shall be maintained during both:
 The engagement period; and
 The period covered by the financial statements.
General Documentation of Independence for Audit and Review Engagements
Firms are required to document that they are in compliance with the independence requirements of this Part. This is in
particular:
1. When safeguards are applied to address a threat, the firm shall document the nature of the threat and the
safeguards in place or applied; and
2. When a threat required significant analysis and the firm concluded that the threat was already at an acceptable
level, the firm shall document the nature of the threat and the rationale for the conclusion.
Merger and Acquisitions
An entity might become a related entity of an audit client because of a merger or acquisition. Such is a threat to
independence and, therefore, to the ability of a firm to continue an audit engagement. In these circumstances, the
following shall be done:
1. The firm shall identify and evaluate previous and current interests and relationships with the related entity after
the effective date of the merger or acquisition; and
2. The firm shall take steps to end any interests or relationships that are not permitted by the Code by the effective
date of the merger or acquisition.
Breach of an Independence Provision for Audit and Review Engagements
Identification of a breach requires the exercise of professional judgment and “step back” approach found on the
conceptual framework. If a breach has been identified, the firm shall:
1. End, suspend or eliminate the interest or relationship
2. Consider whether any legal or regulatory requirements apply to the breach and, if so:
a. Comply with those requirements; and
b. Consider reporting the breach to a professional or regulatory body as applicable.
3. Promptly communicate the breach in accordance with its policies and procedures to:
a. The engagement partner;
b. Those with responsibility for the policies and procedures relating to independence;
c. Other relevant personnel in the firm and, where appropriate, the network; and
d. Those subject to the independence requirements in Part 4A who need to take appropriate action;
4. Evaluate the significance of the breach and its impact on the firm’s objectivity and ability to issue an audit report;
and
5. Depending on the significance of the breach, determine:
a. Whether to end the audit engagement; or
b. Whether it is possible to take action that satisfactorily addresses the consequences of the breach.
Other sections of Part 4A discuss circumstances that may create a threat to compliance of the overarching requirements
of the Code. These other sections and their requirements are summarized on the table below:
Three-step Approach of the Conceptual Framework
Circumstance
Identify
Evaluate
Address
(I-FASS)
(Through relevant factors)
(Sample
actions/safeguards)
Fees
 The operating structure of the firm.
 Relative Size
Self-interest;
Increase the client base in
 Whether the firm is well established or the
firm
to
reduce
(e.g. large proportion of Intimidation
new.
dependence on the audit
fee from a client to total
 The significance of the client qualitatively client.
fees of the firm)
and/or quantitatively to the firm.
 Relative Size
(e.g. large proportion of
fee from a client to total
revenue of 1 partner or 1
office of the firm)
Self-interest;
Intimidation
 Relative Size
(e.g. Client is a Public
Interest Entity [PIE] for 2
consecutive years and
fees from the client > 15%
of total fees received)
Self-interest;
Intimidation
 Overdue Fees
(e.g. Significant part of
the fee is unpaid prior to
issuance of report)
Self-interest
 Contingent Fees
A firm shall not charge directly or indirectly a contingent fee for an audit engagement.
 The significance of the client qualitatively
and/or quantitatively to the partner or
office.
 The extent to which the compensation of
the partner, or the partners in the office,
is dependent upon the fees generated
from the client.
When the total fees significantly exceed
15%, the firm shall determine whether the
level of the threat is such that a postissuance review would not reduce the threat
to an acceptable level. If so, the firm shall
have a pre-issuance review performed.
Refer to Loans and Guarantees
 Increase partner’s or
office’s client base
 Have an appropriate
reviewer
 Disclose such fact to
TCWG; and
 Discuss whether either
are safeguards and
apply them
o Pre-issuance
review
o Post-issuance
review
 Obtain partial payment
 Have an appropriate
reviewer
Compensation and Evaluation
Policies
(e.g. Audit team member for a
particular
audit
client
is
evaluated on or compensated for
selling non-assurance services
to that client)
Gifts and Hospitality
Actual or threatened litigation
Financial Interests
 Held by the Firm, a Network
Firm, Audit Team Members
and Others
 in an Entity Controlling an
Audit Client
 Held as trustee
 In Common with the Audit
Client
 What proportion of the compensation  Revise the policy
that
or evaluation is based on the sale of  Removing
such services;
individual from theaudit
 The role of the individual on the audit
team
team; and
 Whether the sale of such nonassurance services influences
promotion decisions.
A firm, network firm or an audit team member shall not accept gifts and hospitality
from an audit client, unless the value is trivial and inconsequential. Refer also to
discussion of Inducements in Part 3.
Self-interest;
 Materiality of the litigation
 Have an appropriate
intimidation
 Whether the litigation relates to a
reviewer
prior audit engagement.
 Removing
that
individual from the
audit team
Self-interest
A direct financial interest (DFI) or a material indirect financial (MIFI) interest in the
audit client shall not be held by:
a. The firm or a network firm;
b. An audit team member, or any of that individual’s immediate family;
c. Any other partner in the office in which an engagement partner practices in
connection with the audit engagement, or any of that other partner’s immediate
family; or
d. Any other partner or managerial employee who provides non-audit services to
the audit client, except for any whose involvement is minimal, or any of that
individual’s immediate family.
When an entity has a controlling interest in an audit client and the client is material to
the entity, neither the firm, nor a network firm, nor an audit team member, nor any of
that individual’s immediate family shall hold a DFI/MIFI in that entity.
Discussions under the first point of financial interests also apply to financial interests in
an audit client held in a trust for which the firm, network firm or individual acts as trustee,
unless:
a. None of the following is a beneficiary of the trust: the trustee, the audit team
member or any of that individual’s immediate family, the firm or a network firm;
b. The interest in the audit client held by the trust is not material to the trust;
c. The trust is not able to exercise significant influence over the audit client; and
d. None of the following can significantly influence any investment decision
involving a financial interest in the audit client: the trustee, the audit team
member or any of that individual’s immediate family, the firm or a network firm.
A firm, or a network firm, or an audit team member, or any of that individual’simmediate
family shall not hold a financial interest in an entity when an audit clientalso has a
financial interest in that entity, unless:
a. The financial interests are immaterial to the firm, the network firm, the audit
team member and that individual’s immediate family member and the audit
client, as applicable; or
b. The audit client cannot exercise significant influence over the entity.
Loans and guarantees
 with an audit client
 with an audit client
that is a bank or
similar institution
 with an audit client
that is not a bank or
similar institution
Business relationships
 Between a firm, a
network firm or an
audit team member
and an audit client or
its management
 Common Interests in
Closely-held entities
 Buying
goods
or
services
Family and personal
relationships
Recent service
audit client
with
Not permitted unless immaterial.
Not permitted unless the loan or guarantee is made under normal lending procedures, terms
and conditions.
Not permitted unless immaterial.
These parties shall not have a close business relationship with an audit client or its
management unless any financial interest is immaterial and the business relationship is
insignificant to the client or its management and the firm, the network firm or the audit team
member, as applicable.
A firm, a network firm, an audit team member, or any of that individual’s immediate familyshall
not have a business relationship involving the holding of an interest in a closely-held entity
when an audit client or a director or officer of the client, or any group thereof, also holds an
interest in that entity, unless:
 The business relationship is insignificant to the firm, the network firm, or the individual
as applicable, and the client;
 The financial interest is immaterial to the investor or group of investors; and
 The financial interest does not give the investor, or group of investors, the ability to
control the closely-held entity.
Does not usually create a threat to independence if the transaction is in the normal course of
business and at arm’s length.
Self-interest;
 The
individual’s  Removing the individual from the audit
Familiarity;
responsibilities on the
team
Intimidation
audit team.
 Structuring the responsibilities of the
 The role of the family
audit team so that the audit team does not
member or otherindividual
deal with matters that are within the
within the
responsibility of the individual with whom
client, and the closeness
the audit team member has close
relationship
of the relationship.
Service during period covered by Audit Report
Self-interest;
Self-review;
The audit team shall not include an individual who, during the period covered
Familiarity
by the audit report had served as a director or officer of the audit client or
threat
was an employee in a position to exert significant influence over the
preparation of the client’s accounting records or the financial statements.
Service Prior to Period covered by the Audit Report
A self-interest, self-review or familiarity threat might be created if, before the
period covered by the audit report, an audit team member had served as a
director or officer of the audit client; or was an employee in a position to exert
significant influence over the preparation of the client’s accounting
records or financial statements on which the firm will express an opinion.
Serving as a director or officer of an audit client
A partner or employee of the firm or a network firm shall not serve as a director or officer of
 As Director or Officer
an audit client of the firm.
 As
Company A partner or employee of the firm or a network firm shall not serve as Company Secretary for
an audit client of the firm, unless:
Secretary
a. Permitted under law, professional rules or practice;
b. Management makes all relevant decisions; and
c. The duties and activities performed are limited to those of a routine and administrative
nature
Employment with an A familiarity or intimidation threat might be created if any of the following individuals have
audit client
been an audit team member or partner of the firm or a network firm:
a. A director or officer of the audit client.
b. An employee in a position to exert significant influence over the preparation of the
client’s accounting records or the financial statements on which the firm will express
an opinion.
Temporary Personnel
Assignments
Self-review;
Advocacy;
Familiarity
 Nature and scope of work
performed
by
the
personnel
 Conduct of additional review of work
performed
 Not including the loaned personnel as
audit team member
 Not giving the audit responsibility to the
loaned personnel for function or activity
he performed
Long Association Provisions
Long association may create familiarity and self-interest threats. An example of an action that might eliminate the familiarity
and self-interest threats created by an individual being involved in an audit engagement over a long period of time would be
rotating the individual off the audit team.
Provision of Non-assurance Services to an Audit Client
Part 4A also sets out the guidance as to provision of non-assurance services to audit client. This is due to the possible
threats to independence created should non-assurance services are provided.
In evaluating the threats by providing non-assurance services, relevant factors are considered including:
 The nature, scope and purpose of the service.
 The degree of reliance that will be placed on the outcome of the service as part of the audit.
 The legal and regulatory environment in which the service is provided.
 Whether the outcome of the service will affect matters reflected in the financial statements on which the firm will
express an opinion.
 The level of expertise of the client’s management and employees with respect to the type of service provided.
 The extent of the client’s involvement in determining significant matters of judgment.
 The nature and extent of the impact of the service, if any, on the systems that generate information that forms a
significant part of the client’s records and internal controls.
 Whether the client is a public interest entity (PIE)*.
*If a firm audits a PIE, the following non-assurance services are prohibited:
Prohibited Without Regard to Materiality
Prohibited if Material to the Financial Statements
 Assuming a management responsibility
 Valuation services
 Serving as General Counsel
 Calculations of current/deferred taxes
 Accounting and bookkeeping services, including
 Tax or corporate finance advice that depends on a
preparing accounting records and financial
particular accounting treatment/financial statement
statements
presentation with respect to which there is
• Can only be provided to divisions/related
reasonable doubt as to its appropriateness
entities if routine/mechanical, if specified
 Acting as an advocate before a public tribunal or
conditions are met.
court to resolve a tax matter
 Promoting, dealing in, or underwriting client shares.
 Internal audit services relating to internal controls
 Negotiating for the client as part of a recruiting
over financial reporting, financial accounting
service.
systems,
or
financial
statement
amounts/disclosures
 Recruiting directors/officers, or senior management
who will have significant influence over accounting
 Designing/implementing financial reporting IT
records or financial statements
systems
 Evaluating or compensating a key audit partner
 Estimating damages or other amounts as part of
based on that partner’s success in selling nonlitigation support services
 Acting as an advocate to resolve a dispute or
assurance services to the partner’s audit client
litigation
PART 4B - INDEPENDENCE FOR ASSURANCE ENGAGEMENTS OTHER THAN AUDIT AND REVIEW
ENGAGEMENTS
The scope of Part 4B of the Code is the residual of Part 4A. As such, this part applies to assurance engagements other than
audit and review engagements (referred to as “assurance engagements”). For a detailed discussion of these types of
engagements, kindly refer to Chapter 1.
Note: In this Part, the term “professional accountant (PA)” refers to individual professional accountants in public practice
and their firms.
Period during which Independence is required
Similar in Part 4A, independence is required to be maintained during both:
 The engagement period; and
 The period covered by the subject matter information.
General Documentation of Independence for Assurance Engagements Other than Audit and Review
Engagements (Concepts in Part 4A applies to this Part.)
Breach of an Independence Provision for Assurance Engagements Other than Audit and Review Engagements
If a firm concludes that a breach of a requirement in this Part has occurred, the firm shall:
1. End, suspend or eliminate the interest or relationship that created the breach;
2. Evaluate the significance of the breach and its impact on the firm’s objectivity and ability to issue an assurance
report; and
3. Determine whether action can be taken that satisfactorily addresses the consequences of the breach.
Other sections of Part 4B discuss other circumstances that may create a threat to compliance of the overarching
requirements of the Code. Some discussions found on Part 4A of this Chapter (refer to application of three-step approach
table) are also applicable to the below circumstances found on Part 4B but are applied in the context of an assurance
engagement other than audit or review:
1. Fees
a. Relative Size
b. Overdue Fees
c. Contingent Fees
2. Gifts and hospitality
3. Actual or threatened litigation
4. Loans and Guarantees
5. Business relationships
a. Between a firm, assurance team member or immediate family and an assurance client or its management
b. Buying goods or services
6. Family and personal relationships
7. Recent service with assurance client
8. Serving as a director or officer of an assurance client
On the other hand, the requirements of Part 4B for financial interests are modified and are summarized below.
Financial Interests
Requirements
 Held by the Firm, A DFI/MFI in the assurance client shall not be held by:
a. The firm; or
Assurance Team
b. An assurance team member or any of that individual’s immediate family.
Members and
Immediate Family
When
an entity has a controlling interest in the assurance client and the client is material to the
 in
an
Entity
Controlling
an entity, neither the firm, nor an assurance team member, nor any of that individual’s immediate
family shall hold a direct or material indirect financial interest in that entity.
Audit Client
Discussions under the first point of financial interests also apply to financial interests in an audit
 Held as trustee
client held in a trust for which the firm, network firm or individual acts as trustee, unless:
a. None of the following is a beneficiary of the trust: the trustee, the assurance team
member or any of that individual’s immediate family, or the firm;
b. The interest in the assurance client held by the trust is not material to the trust;
c. The trust is not able to exercise significant influence over the assurance client; and
d. None of the following can significantly influence any investment decision involving a
financial interest in the assurance client: the trustee, the assurance team member or any
of that individual’s immediate family, or the firm.
If a firm, an assurance team member, or any of that individual’s immediate family, receives a
 Received
DFI/MIFI in an assurance client by way of an inheritance, gift, as a result of a merger, or in
Unintentionally
similar circumstances and the interest would not otherwise be permitted to be held under this
section, then:
a. If the interest is received by the firm, the financial interest shall be disposed of immediately,
or enough of an indirect financial interest shall be disposed of so that the remaining interest
is no longer material; or
b. If the interest is received by an assurance team member, or by any of that individual’s
immediate family, the individual who received the financial interest shall immediately
dispose of the financial interest, or dispose of enough of an indirect financial interest so
that the remaining interest is no longer material.
Provision of Non-assurance Services to Assurance Clients other than
Audit and Review Engagement Clients Before a firm accepts an
engagement to provide a non-assurance service to an assurance client, the
firm shall determine whether providing such a service might create a threat to
independence.
In evaluating the threats by providing non-assurance services, relevant factors
are considered including:
 The nature, scope and purpose of the service.
 The degree of reliance that will be placed on the outcome of the service
as part of the assurance engagement.
 The legal and regulatory environment in which the service is provided.
 Whether the outcome of the service will affect matters reflected in the
subject matter or subject matter information of the assurance
engagement, and, if so:
o The extent to which the outcome of the service will have a
material or significant effect on the subjectmatter of the
assurance engagement.
o The extent of the assurance client’s involvement in determining
significant matters of judgment.
 The level of expertise of the client’s management and employees with
respect to the type of service provided.
In addressing the threats, see the requirement of Conceptual Framework in
Part 1.
Reports that include a restriction on use and distribution (RUD)
Certain modifications to Parts 4A and 4B are permitted in the Code in
certain circumstances involving assurance engagements where the report
includes a RUD. An engagement is eligible to these modifications only if:
1. The firm communicates with the intended users of the report
regarding the modified independence requirements that are to be
applied in providing the service; and
2. The intended users of the report understand the purpose and
limitations of the report and explicitly agree to the application of the
modifications.