SAIPA Hand Book

Reviewing the IFAC Ethics requirements as applicable to our members:

SAIPA is a full voting member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). This requires SAIPA to comply with international standards of ethics and conduct. The Institute has implemented strict Investigation and Disciplinary Procedures that are in compliance with IFAC requirements which govern and control all members and which are aligned with our Constitution, Code of Conduct and By-laws. This is in accordance with current international standards laid down by the IFAC of which the Institute has been a member since 1992;

The SAIPA Handbook incorporates our Code of Conduct in Section 2, and we have currently embarked on a project to enable us to identify possible areas of non-compliance with the IFAC Code of Ethics. However the current version of the Code of Conduct is based on earlier versions of the IFAC Handbook and it is suspected that areas of non-compliance will be minimal.

Our objective is to develop high quality standards and guidance taking into account best practices both nationally and internationally as well as analyzing and comparing both Codes in order to determine compliance thereof.

Our mission is to serve the public interest, strengthen the accountancy profession and contribute to high-quality professional standards.

According to the IFAC Handbook (2006) A distinguishing mark of the accountancy profession is its acceptance of the responsibility to act in the public interest. Therefore, a professional accountant's responsibility is not exclusively to satisfy the needs of an individual client or employer. In acting in the public interest a professional accountant should observe and comply with the ethical requirements of this (IFAC) Code.

As a member of IFAC, SAIPA requires all its members to adhere to its Code of Conduct. The aim of the Code of Conduct is to raise the level of professionalism and the quality of service rendered to the public, to enhance the credibility of the accountancy profession, and to increase the confidence of the public in the profession.

The SAIPA Investigations and Disciplinary Committees enforce compliance to the Code.

A copy of SAIPA's Constitution and Code of Conduct may be downloaded below.