Business ethics and acca principles - Threats and safeguards

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to define business ethics and explain why they are important for accounting professionals and organisations. You will understand the IFAC (IESBA) and ACCA fundamental principles, the main threats to ethical behaviour in business, and key safeguards to address these risks. You will also be able to apply these concepts using typical business examples, identify ethical dilemmas, and distinguish how codes of ethics are implemented and enforced within organisations.

ACCA Business and Technology (BT) Syllabus

For ACCA Business and Technology (BT), you are required to understand the principles and application of business ethics and the ethical requirements placed on professional accountants. Make sure you are able to:

• Define business ethics and explain their significance for individuals and organisations
• Describe the five fundamental principles of ethical behaviour according to IFAC (IESBA) and ACCA
• Identify and explain ethical threats including self-interest, self-review, advocacy, familiarity, and intimidation
• Explain appropriate safeguards for mitigating threats to ethical behaviour
• Recognise the importance and content of codes of ethics and their role in promoting ethical behaviour in the accountancy profession
• Understand the reporting lines and actions when unethical or illegal conduct is identified

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. List the five fundamental principles of professional ethics for accountants.
2. Which threat is involved when an accountant is influenced by a close personal relationship with a client?
3. What are two safeguards that might reduce an ethical threat in a professional accounting setting?
4. What should an accountant do if they suspect unlawful conduct within their organisation?

Introduction

Business ethics lay out the rules and values that guide behaviour within organisations and for individuals. For accountants, who often handle sensitive information and oversee key financial decisions, following ethical principles is essential for maintaining trust from clients, employers, and the public. Professional codes such as those from IFAC (IESBA) and ACCA set out clear principles and expectations. However, a range of threats—such as personal interests, undue influence, or pressure from management—can challenge ethical behaviour. Recognising these threats and knowing how to apply safeguards ensures accountants remain objective, fair, and accountable.

Business Ethics and Professional Principles

Business ethics are concerned with distinguishing right from wrong and ensure that companies and professionals act fairly, honestly, and in the public interest. Ethics go beyond merely following the law, setting higher standards for behaviour.

Key Term: business ethics
The principles, values, and standards that guide behaviour in the world of business and underpin decisions affecting internal and external stakeholders.

Key Term: professional ethics
The explicit standards and expectations for conduct that guide professional accountants, set by professional bodies and codes of conduct.

The Role of Ethics in Accounting

Accountants are trusted with financial information and act as advisers to companies and individuals. Unethical behaviour can damage reputations, result in legal penalties, and harm the public. Therefore, ethical decision-making is fundamental.

Organisations demonstrate commitment to ethical behaviour by adopting codes of ethics, providing training, and supporting a culture based on trust, honesty, and accountability.

Key Term: code of ethics
A set of principles and rules outlining the standards of acceptable conduct for members of a profession or organisation.

IFAC (IESBA) and ACCA Fundamental Principles

Both IFAC (IESBA) and ACCA require adherence to five key ethical principles:

1. Integrity – Acting honestly and truthfully.
2. Objectivity – Avoiding bias, conflict of interest, or undue influence.
3. Professional competence and due care – Maintaining up-to-date knowledge and performing tasks carefully.
4. Confidentiality – Protecting information acquired as a result of professional work.
5. Professional behaviour – Complying with laws and avoiding actions discrediting the profession.

Key Term: integrity
Being straightforward and honest in all professional and business relationships.

Key Term: objectivity
Not allowing bias, conflict of interest, or undue influence to override professional judgments.

Key Term: professional competence and due care
Maintaining relevant professional knowledge and applying it diligently.

Key Term: confidentiality
Refraining from disclosing information acquired due to professional relationships unless authorised or legally required.

Key Term: professional behaviour
Complying with laws and regulations and acting to avoid discrediting the profession.

Threats to Ethical Behaviour

Ethical behaviour can be threatened in various ways. The IFAC (IESBA) code identifies five main threat categories:

Key Term: ethical threat
A situation or influence that may compromise a professional accountant’s compliance with ethical principles.

Key Term: self-interest threat
The risk that personal interest will improperly influence the accountant’s judgment or behaviour.

Key Term: self-review threat
The risk of reviewing or evaluating one’s own previous work, reducing objectivity.

Key Term: advocacy threat
The risk of representing a client’s or employer’s position so strongly that objectivity is compromised.

Key Term: familiarity threat
The risk of becoming too sympathetic to the interests of others due to a close relationship.

Key Term: intimidation threat
The risk of being deterred from acting objectively due to actual or perceived pressure.

Worked Example 1.1

A partner in an audit firm has a close relative working in the finance team of an audit client. Which ethical threat arises in this scenario?

Answer:
This situation demonstrates a familiarity threat. The personal relationship may lead to less rigorous audit work or reluctance to challenge issues.

Worked Example 1.2

An accountant is threatened with being replaced if she does not approve questionable expenses submitted by management. What type of threat is present?

Answer:
This is an intimidation threat, as the accountant is under inappropriate pressure from management which could compromise objectivity.

Safeguards Against Ethical Threats

Key Term: safeguard
An action or measure that reduces an ethical threat to an acceptable level.

Safeguards fall into two main groups:

1. Organisational/professional safeguards:

   • Strong ethical culture and leadership.
   • Policies on independence, gifts, and hospitality.
   • Clear reporting procedures for unethical conduct.
   • Independent oversight such as internal audit or ethics hotlines.

2. Personal actions:

   • Declining assignments with a conflict of interest.
   • Withdrawing from work under excessive pressure.
   • Consulting with senior staff or professional bodies.

Worked Example 1.3

A manager is offered free tickets by a supplier who is bidding for a contract. What is an appropriate safeguard?

Answer:
The manager should disclose the offer. Refusing the gift or following the organisation’s policy on gifts and hospitality is a suitable safeguard.

Exam Warning

Exam Warning If a threat cannot be reduced to an acceptable level by applying safeguards, the professional accountant must decline or terminate the engagement.

Ethical Dilemmas and Reporting

Accountants sometimes face genuine ethical dilemmas—situations where the appropriate ethical action is unclear or where two principles conflict.

Key Term: ethical dilemma
A situation in which a choice must be made between competing ethical principles without a clear solution.

For example, maintaining confidentiality versus disclosing fraud.

If unlawful or seriously unethical conduct is suspected, the correct steps are:

1. Raise concerns internally, using designated reporting channels (e.g. compliance officer, line manager).
2. Seek advice from ACCA or a legal advisor if unresolved.
3. Report to external authorities only if legally mandated or after internal channels have been exhausted.

Organisational Codes and Ethical Culture

A strong ethical culture is encouraged by organisational values—openness, honesty, trust, accountability, respect, and clear codes of ethics.

Proper implementation includes:

• Regular training and communication on ethics.
• Consistent action by management when breaches occur.
• Confidential reporting systems for staff concerns.

Revision Tip

Regularly reviewing the five fundamental principles and identifying practical safeguards is highly effective exam preparation, especially for scenario-based questions.

Summary

A professional accountant must follow the IFAC and ACCA fundamental principles and identify threats to ethical behaviour. Practical safeguards, both at personal and organisational levels, are essential to maintain ethical standards. When ethical dilemmas arise, the correct process for raising concerns helps protect the accountant, the employer, and the public interest.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Define business ethics and professional ethics.
• List and explain the five IFAC/ACCA fundamental ethical principles.
• Identify and classify the five threat types to ethical behaviour.
• Provide examples of practical safeguards to reduce ethical threats.
• Explain how to respond to ethical dilemmas and when to report unethical conduct.
• Describe how codes of ethics and organisational culture encourage ethical behaviour.

Key Terms and Concepts

• business ethics
• professional ethics
• code of ethics
• integrity
• objectivity
• professional competence and due care
• confidentiality
• professional behaviour
• ethical threat
• self-interest threat
• self-review threat
• advocacy threat
• familiarity threat
• intimidation threat
• safeguard
• ethical dilemma