Learning outcomes
On completion of this course, you will:
- Have up-to-date knowledge, understanding and confidence that will enable you to demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in your professional role.
- Understand why professional ethics matters and appreciate how the Code of Ethics provides a framework for helping you meet your professional responsibilities.
- Develop competence and confidence in making ethical decisions.
- Awareness of, and ability to apply, the additional ethical guidance that is relevant to you as a specialist.
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Module 1: Practising professionalism
- Understand the importance of ethics for building trust in your profession.
- Identify the fundamental principles that underpin the Code of Ethics and explain how they can be implemented.
- Understand how the fundamental principles can help build a picture of the ‘ethical accountant’.
- Apply that understanding to reflect on your behaviour and professional development.
Verifiable CPD hours: 1
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Module 2: Ethical decision making
- Explain why we are limited in our ability to make ethical decisions.
- Know where to find relevant guidance in the Code of Ethics and apply that guidance to access further sources of support that are available to help you make and implement ethical decisions.
- Use the Framework for Resolving Ethical Problems to make a good decision.
- Choose to focus on either practice or industry for part of the module.
Verifiable CPD hours: 2
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Module 3: Ethics for specialists
The third module of ICAEW's Ethics CPD Course is split into five separate units, enabling you to study the elements most relevant to you.
- 3.1 Combatting economic crime
- 3.2 Auditing with independence
- 3.3 Professional Conduct in Relation to Tax (PCRT)
- 3.4 How to develop an ethical culture
- 3.5 AI ethics for accountants
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3.1: Combatting economic crime
- Understand the vital role that accountants play in combatting economic crime.
- Reference the relevant provisions of the Code of Ethics.
- Appreciate the importance of exercising professional scepticism.
- Recognise the potential threats to the Fundamental Principles that might be created by your relationship with your client.
Verifiable CPD hours: 1
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3.2: Auditing with independence
- Gain a high-level understanding of the rules and principles of the FRC’s Ethical Standard.
- Recognise potential independence threats and what safeguards may be available to reduce or eliminate them.
- Understand when and how the objective, reasonable and informed third-party test can be utilised.
- List the provisions and reliefs available for audits of small entities.
Verifiable CPD hours: 1
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3.3: Professional Conduct in Relation to Tax
- Understand how PCRT applies the fundamental principles of the Code of Ethics in a tax context.
- Exercise professional judgment in accordance with the requirements of PCRT.
- Identify threats to the fundamental principles that might arise when involved in tax-related work.
Verifiable CPD hours: 1
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3.4: How to develop an ethical culture
- Link the requirement in the Code of Ethics, to encourage and promote an ethics-based culture, to your organisation.
- Describe the impact of culture on behaviour and the risks created by poor culture.
- Outline the key tools for developing an ethical culture.
- Understand the role of leadership, governance and quantitative indicators in the development of an ethical culture.
- Confidently encourage and promote an ethical culture, whatever your position.
Verifiable CPD hours: 1.5
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3.5: AI ethics for accountants
- Understand the key features of AI and its applications.
- Identify the main ethical risks in your work arising from the use of AI.
- Prepare and employ risk-mitigation actions and AI ethics principles in your work.
- Explain the relevance of the Code of Ethics’ Fundamental Principles for the ethical implementation of AI..
Verifiable CPD hours: 1.5
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Module 4: Case studies in ethics
- Experience ICAEW training films to reinforce and apply your understanding of the Code of Ethics, especially the fundamental principles and the conceptual framework.
- Practical application of the FRC Ethical Standard.
- Reflect on how intimidation can undermine audit quality.
- Divided into four units which can be completed separately
Verifiable CPD hours: 1.5 (per unit)
Very comprehensive and made the learning very engaging, through use of the questions and the videos. It can be difficult just to read the Code of Ethics, and so the examples and quizzes are very helpful.
It's more than just the basic theories, also more than "CPD compliance".
The explanations were very detail and informative. The frequent reference to the five principles in each module helps to better explain the each situation as they develop.
Structure, presentation, material, delivery - all fantastic.
More information
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Are there any pre-requisites for completing this course?
No. The course does direct to interesting further reading throughout, however none of this is required to complete the course.
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Is there a pass mark?
The course is not graded, you will receive completion certificates to demonstrate verifiable CPD hours.
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Is this course available to non-members?
This course can be accessed by those holding the Business and Finance Professional designation, as well as individuals covered by ICAEW’s CPD policy either through reciprocal membership agreements or because they are regulated by ICAEW (for example as a key audit partner or an insolvency practitioner).
If you are not an ICAEW member, to access the course you must have registered on icaew.com. Find out more about registering and logging into icaew.com.
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How can I keep up to date after completing the certificate?
ICAEW has several communities and many resources around ethics, which can be found at icaew.com/ethics.
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When will I get my certificate?
You will receive completion certificates in real time, and you will be able to download the certificate from the “Awards” section of your profile in the online course programme.
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Would the completion certificate be accepted as credit for any related academic courses?
No credits have been arranged with any other institutions, although you do get an ICAEW certificate of completion as a credential that you can use on LinkedIn or in your CV, for example.