1. An Ethical Framework
2. Independence: The Foundation of
Auditing Services
3. Code of Professional Conduct
Ch. 3-1

• Utilitarian Theory
– The ethical action is that which results in the greatest good for the greatest number.
• Rights Theory
– The ethical action is that which respects the fundamental rights of the parties involved.
Ch. 3-2

Mixture of Rights & Utility
1. Identify the ethical issue(s)
2. Determine the affected parties and their rights
3. Determine the most important rights
4. Develop alternative courses of action
5. Determine the likely outcomes for the varying courses of action
6. Assess the possible consequences
• What results in the greatest good for the greatest number?
• Are any alternatives inappropriate based on a violation of fundamental rights?
7. Decide on the appropriate course of action
Alternative/Simplified Framework
• Identify the problem
• Identify possible courses of action
• Identify any constraints relating to the decision
• Analyze the likely effects of alternative courses of action
• Select the best course of action
Ch. 3-3

Threats to Independence:
1. Compensation Schemes
2. Conflicting Interests & The
Client Role
3. Familiarity with the Management
4. Time Pressures
5. Ability to Rationalize
6. Auditing Your Own Work
Managing Independence Threats:
1. Balanced Compensation Schemes
2. Client Acceptance & Retention
3. Separation of Consulting Services
4. Independent Review of Audits
5. Code of Conduct
6. Hiring Practices
Ch. 3-4

SEC Principles of
Independence:
– No mutual or conflicting interests.
– No auditing of your own work.
– No role as management or employee.
– No advocate role for the client.
AICPA Rule 101:
“A member in public practice shall be independent in the performance of professional services…”
– Financial Interests
– Lending Relationships
– Joint Investments
– Family Relationships
– CPA – Client Litigation
– Nonaudit Services
Ch. 3-5

Nonaudit Services:
• Bookkeeping
• Financial info systems design & implementation
• Appraisal or Valuation services
• Actuarial Services
• Internal Audit outsourcing
• Management or Human
Resource functions
• Broker or Dealer or
Investment advisor/banker services
• Legal and Expert services
Audit Committee:
• Required Preapproval
Partner Rotation:
• Engagement & Review partners rotate every 5 years.
• Any other partner with significant involvement must rotate every 7 years.
Employment Cool Off Period:
• One year cool off if a member of the engagement team accepts a key position with the client.
Ch. 3-6

• Principles
– Rules of Conduct
•Interpretations of the Rules of Conduct
– Ethical Rules
Ch. 3-7

• Responsibilities – In carrying out their responsibilities as professionals, members should exercise sensitive professional and moral judgments in all their activities.
• The Public Interest – Members should accept the obligation to act in a away that will serve the public interest, honor the public trust, and demonstrate commitment to professionalism.
• Integrity – To maintain and broaden public confidence, members should perform all professional responsibilities with the highest sense of integrity.
• Objectivity & Independence A member should maintain objectivity and be free of conflicts of interest in discharging professional responsibilities. A member in public practice should be independent in fact and appearance when providing auditing and other attestation services.
• Due Care – A member should observe the profession’s technical and ethical standards, strive continually to improve competence and quality of services, and discharge professional responsibility to the best of the member’s ability.
• Scope & Nature of Services – A member in public practice should observe the principles of the Code of Professional Conduct in determining the scope and nature of services provided.
Ch. 3-8

• 100 Independence, Integrity, and Objectivity
• 200 General Standards Accounting Principles
• 300 Responsibilities to Clients
• 400 Responsibilities to Colleagues
• 500 Other Responsibilities and Practices
Ch. 3-9

R-101 Independence: A member in public practice shall be independent in the performance of professional services as required by standards promulgated by bodies designated by
Council.
R-102 Integrity and Objectivity : In the performance of any professional service, a member shall maintain objectivity and integrity , shall be free of conflicts of interest , and shall not knowingly misrepresent facts or subordinate his or her judgment to others.
Ch. 3-10

R-201 General Standards: A member shall comply with the following standards and with any interpretations thereor by bodies designated by Council.
– Professional Competence
– Due Professional Care
– Planning & Supervision
– Sufficient Relevant Data
R-202 Compliance with Standards: A member who performs auditing, review, compilation, management consulting, tax, or other professional services shall comply with standards promulgated by bodies designated by Council.
Ch. 3-11

R-203 Accounting Principles: A member shall not
1.
express an opinion or state affirmatively that the financial statements or other financial data of any entity are presented in conformity with GAAP or
2.
state that he or she is not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such statements or data in order for them to be in conformity with GAAP, if such statements or data contain any departure from an accounting principle promulgated by bodies designated by Council to establish such principles that has a material effect on the statements or data taken as a whole. If, however, the statements or data contain such a departure and the member can demonstrate that due to unusual circumstances the financial statements or data would otherwise be misleading, the member can comply with the rule by describing the departure, its approximate effects, if practicable, and the reasons why compliance with the principle would result in a misleading statement.
Ch. 3-12

R-301 Confidential Client Information: A member in public practice shall not disclose any confidential client information without specific consent of the client.
Exceptions:
1.
Obligations related to Technical Standards (200)
2. Subpoena or Summons
3.
Peer Review
4.
Response to Ethics Division
R-302 Contingent Fees: A member in public practice shall not
• Perform for a contingent fee for audit or review services of financial statements; or
• Prepare an original or amended tax return or claim for a tax refund for a contingent fee for any client.
Ch. 3-13

R-501 Acts Discreditable: A member shall not commit an act discreditable to the profession.
Examples:
1.
Refusing to return client owned records
2.
Violation of antidiscrimination laws
3.
Negligence allows false or misleading entries in the financial statements
4.
Solicit or disclose questions from the May 1996 or later examinations without the permission of the AICPA.
5.
Failure to file tax return or pay tax liability
6.
Aiding with or filing a false or fraudulent income tax return
7.
A crime punishable by more than 1 yr. imprisonment
Ch. 3-14

R-502 Advertising: A member in public practice shall not seek to obtain clients by advertising or other forms of solicitation in a manner that is false, misleading, or deceptive. Solicitation by the use of coercion, overreaching, or harassing conduct is prohibited.
R-503 Commissions & Referral Fees : A member in public practice shall not receive or pay a commission or referral fee for any client if the member also performs for the client an audit or review. All nonprohibited commissions or referral fees must be disclosed to the client.
R-505 Form of Organization : A member may practice public accounting only in a form of organization permitted by sate law or regulation whose characteristics conform to resolutions of Council and shall no practice public accounting under a firm name that is misleading.
Ch. 3-15

Ch. 3-16