• 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

• 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

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

New for 2025

• 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

New for 2025

• 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

• 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)

• Know about two other new modules that have been added to the Ethics CPD course.
• Be aware of the main revisions to the ICAEW Code of Ethics, the new version of which applies from 1 July 2025.
• Understand the implications of some key developments introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
• Appreciate the importance of the ICAEW disciplinary process for maintaining professional ethics and be able to cite recent examples.
• Know how to get help if you face an ethical challenge.
• Be aware of some further developments in the pipeline.

Verifiable CPD hours: 1 (per unit)