The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) as a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is committed to IFAC's broad objective of developing and enhancing a coordinated worldwide accountancy profession with common standards.
In working towards this objective, the International Ethics Standards Board (IESBA) is the global independent standard setting board. Its objective is to serve the public interest by setting high quality ethics standards for professional accountants worldwide and by facilitating the convergence of international and national ethical standards (including auditor independence requirements) through the development of a robust International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants.
The IESBA published this code in April 2018 with a stated purpose of setting out fundamental principles of ethics for professional accountants reflecting the profession's recognition of its public interest responsibility. The principles within the code establish the standard of behaviour required of a professional accountant.
CIPFA has adopted this code as its Standard of Professional Practice (SOPP) as of 1 November 2018. The SOPP applies to all members, affiliate and associate members and students and as a result, all are expected to comply with its requirements. Failure to do so could lead to action under the CIPFA disciplinary scheme.
In addition to this SOPP, all those engaged in the audit of financial statements and in other public interest assurance engagements should have regard to the extant Ethical Standard issued by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).
Download the code of ethics on the link below. If you have any questions, please email ethics@cipfa.org.
Download the code of ethics