Professional ethics in accounting and auditing: A necessity or choice

Abstract

Ethics is an inclusive subject that covers all aspects of human’s life. The ever- increasing development of human communities and further complexity of social relations and ties create new requirements. Emerging of various professions is the consequence of effort to meet these needs which form over the time and change in circumstances and gradually pass through path of development and evolution. Due to necessity of work division and expert nature of affairs, these professions are more consolidated every day and play their role in improving public welfare for communities. Survival of any profession and employment is subjected to type and quality of services that it presents and credit and trust, which are acquired as a result of giving such services. This credit and confidence is the main capital for any profession and it crucially important to maintain them. This requires any profession and its members to serve the community as their main task and goal and to pursue and interpret their personal benefits only within the framework of giving these services. Although, it is a long time that accounting professional communities in several countries have codified professional conduct code in order to protect from public properties and requiring accountants to observe professional ethics, it seems that professional conduct code could not solely solve the existing problems and so far professional accounting scandals occur throughout the world.