Importance Of Ethics In Accountancy Stressed

Press, Issue 30997, 1 March 1966, Page 14

Importance Of Ethics In Accountancy Stressed

In addition to the development of technical competence among accountants, there should also be a growth in moral concepts, said Mr K. N. Curnow, president-elect of the Canterbury - Westland branch of the New Zealand Society of Accountants, yesterday. Addressing the annual meeting of the Christchurch Accountant Students’ Society on the importance of ethics, Mr Curnow explained that today the public expected a lot from the profession. Traditionally the accountant was a person who recorded facts and figures and produced the periodic statement of accounts. Now he needed considerable technical ability to appraise facts and figures and to advise his employers. Possibility of Degree The possibility that in the not too distant future a degree would be a prerequisite of membership and that mathematics might become a compulsory subject for such a degree was welcomed by Mr Curnow. The status of the accountancy profession did not come from within but, rather, from the public it served, and in this it had to be judged on the service it rendered and

the conduct of its members.

He urged the accountancy students to do their utmost to uphold the traditions that had been won and to strive to improve the image of accountancy. Giving Real Value

Youth today was accused of paying too much attention to the weekly pay envelope and of not giving real value for the pay, he said. It was to be hoped that among accountancy students these accusations would be the exception. Mr J. Mathewson was elected president for 1965. There are 10 vice-presidents, and the committee consists of: Messrs P. Venning, T. Bradbury, G. Heaton, R. France, P. Sargison and P. Brosnahan. Mr A. Jones was elected secretary and Mr J. Drayton the treasurer.

Mr A. McPhail was awarded the R. J. McLaren Memorial Cup for public speaking.