IN LETTER-AND SPIRIT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 12

IN LETTER-AND SPIRIT

ETHICS OF ACCOUNTANCY In the view of the New Zealand Society of Accountants a very important principle —in regard to shareholders of companies as well as to members of the accountancy profession —is embodied in the following section of the code ot‘ professional ethics, adopted by the society’s council:— “If a member of the society is approached to take over an audit or other work which is being conducted by another he should consult the member whom he is asked to supersede unless it is (conclusively proved that such member has improperly conducted himself in such appointment. ’ ’ In the course of a recent, investigation by the executive of the society a point was raised in regard to the application of the section in certain circumstances. The executive upheld the opinion of the president (Mr. R. Valentine) that the sectioji, when considered in the spirit of the underlying principle as well as the actual text, definitely' indicated the purpose. Tn the matter of ethics it would not be possible to put into hard-and-fast terms every course of procedure which an honourable practitioner of any profession should or should not take.