Accountants urged to adhere to professional ethics
Accountants have been warned against compromising ethics of their profession.
The charge was given, yesterday, during the 8th session of the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) and induction of newly certified members of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).
The guest speaker, Mahmoud Mukhtar, who delivered a paper titled, ‘Managing the impact of non-audit services on auditors’ independence’, advised the inductees to promote integrity of the profession, warning that anyone found defaulting might lose membership.
On his part, Dick Irri, a deputy director at Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), who was represented by Sani Dahiru, lectured the inductees on importance of confidentiality to accountancy noting: “Any attempt to divulge information or document of any organisation may tarnish that individual’s life as an accountant.”
He added: “Be objective and always see yourself as part of the management that you are probing, as this is part of the ethical code of conduct.
“Auditors are expected to provide services without being biased because the person or organisation giving the work may tend to provide additional income. And in that context, such accountant may thwart the practice, and that could attract greater consequences.”
Speaking earlier, ANAN president, Benjamin Osisioma, represented by his vice president, James Neminebor, said the profession is the hallmark in any office, stressing that when an accountant fails in his duty, a company collapses.
