Committee on Professional Ethics and Independence

SAFA Committee on Professional Ethics and independence

1. To facilitate communication and sharing of information among the SAFA member bodies on the actions taken for adoption/ development of, and implementation with the ethical standards including convergence with the IESBA Code of Ethics.
2. To interact with the SAFA Committee on Education, Training and CPD for covering Ethics throughout the education curriculum of the SAFA member bodies so that the students’ knowledge and abilities are adequately developed to cope with ethical dilemmas.
3. To identify emerging issues on professional ethics of mutual relevance to the region and develop guidance on these issues
4. To share measures adopted by the SAFA member bodies for making awareness among professional accountants in order to achieve better compliance with the IESBA Code in the region, and to facilitate learning opportunities for professional accountants among SAFA member bodies in key areas including anti-corruption, integrity and ethics.
5. To deliberate on comments given or to be given on pronouncements on ethical standards for professional accountants from IESBA, IFAC and other standard setting bodies.
6. To formulate an annual/ long-term work plan and prepare an annual report for consideration by the SAFA Board
7. To work amongst SAFA member bodies on practical implementation challenges relating to non-compliance with laws and regulations (NOCLAR) and develop some guideline on practical expedient on NOCLAR issue.
8. To assist professional accountants in dealing with ethical issues in emerging areas like sustainability reporting and related assurance, use of technology, etc. through consultation with SAFA member bodies for setting a benchmark for ethical behaviour and independence.
9. To take measures, as may be suitable to respective jurisdictions for promoting highest standards of professionalism, integrity and ethics including fighting corruption and economic crime to support a robust integrity ecosystem that highlights the profession as a force for good.
10. To devise consultative process with stakeholders to assist in development of policy initiatives on Code of Ethics, both for public and private sector.