Code of ethics
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Code of ethics
A code of ethics for professional associations that ask members to commit to shared standards. It opens with the core principles, sets out specific standards for integrity, competence, confidentiality, objectivity and dealings with clients and colleagues, and explains how a complaint is made and decided. The sample is written for a bookkeepers' association, with examples that fit financial work. Rewrite the standards for the realities of your own profession, link it from your sign-up and renewal pages, and have it reviewed by your board and an adviser before you adopt it.
Code of ethics
Clients trust bookkeepers with the most private details of their businesses and their lives. Every member of Lakeshore Association of Bookkeepers agrees to this code when they join and each time they renew, so that trust is always deserved.
1. Our principles
Honesty
We record what happened, not what someone wishes had happened.
Care
We do our work carefully, and only work we are able to do well.
Discretion
We protect the information clients share with us.
Fairness
We treat clients, colleagues and the public with respect.
2. Integrity
Members shall:
- never knowingly make, or allow to be made, a false or misleading entry in any record
- refuse any request to hide income, invent expenses or misstate a client's financial position, and end the engagement if the request continues
- describe their qualifications, credentials and membership accurately, and never claim a certification they do not hold
- charge fees that are fair and agreed in advance, and never accept a payment that depends on a particular tax result
3. Competence
Members shall take on only work they are competent to perform, or can become competent to perform in time, with supervision or by bringing in a qualified colleague. Members shall keep their knowledge current by completing the continuing education required for their membership class, and shall tell a client plainly when a question needs an accountant, tax preparer or attorney.
4. Confidentiality
Members shall keep client information confidential during and after an engagement. Information may be shared only with the client's consent, when the law requires it, or to respond to a complaint or legal proceeding.
Use secure portals rather than email attachments for financial records, enable two-factor authentication on every client system, and never discuss a client by name with other members, even in our forums.
5. Objectivity and conflicts of interest
Members shall not allow personal interests, relationships or outside pressure to influence their work. Where a conflict exists, such as keeping the books for two parties in a dispute, or for a business in which the member has a financial stake, the member shall disclose it in writing and continue only with the informed consent of everyone affected.
6. Responsibilities to clients
- Agree the work in writing. Set out the scope, fees and responsibilities in an engagement letter before starting.
- Communicate clearly. Report problems promptly, explain findings in plain language and answer questions within a reasonable time.
- Return records. When an engagement ends, return the client's original records and provide their data in a usable format, whether or not fees are in dispute.
- End engagements responsibly. Give reasonable notice, and help with an orderly handover to the next bookkeeper.
7. Responsibilities to colleagues and the profession
Members shall treat colleagues with courtesy, cooperate in good faith when a client moves between bookkeepers, and never solicit another member's clients using confidential information. Members shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.
Our reputation as a profession is built one set of honest books at a time.
8. Raising a concern
Anyone, member or not, may report a possible breach of this code.
How do I make a complaint?
Write to the Ethics Panel at hello@example.com with the member's name, what happened, when, and any documents that support your concern.
What happens next?
The Ethics Panel, three members appointed by the Board, acknowledges the complaint within ten working days. The member is told of the complaint and given at least 30 days to respond before the Panel decides.
What can the outcome be?
The Panel may dismiss the complaint, give guidance, require additional education, or recommend suspension or expulsion to the Board under the bylaws. Either party may appeal to the full Board within 30 days.
Is the process confidential?
Yes. Complaints and their outcomes are kept confidential, except that a suspension or expulsion is noted in the member directory.
This code is a starting point, not legal advice. Adapt it to the standards of your profession and have it reviewed by your board and an adviser before you adopt it.
Use this page
Make it yours in a few minutes
- Find it in your Control Panel. Go to Content > Page Library and search for "Code of ethics".
- Add it to your site. Choose a title and a department. The page arrives as a draft, with its pictures copied to your site and your site's name already in place.
- Change the words and pictures. Open it in the Membergate editor, replace the sample text and images with your own, and make it live when you are ready.