The President of Institute of Chartered Accountants (Ghana), Ms.Sena Dake, has advised accountants and auditors in the country to uphold International Federation of Accountants’ (IFAC’s) Code of Ethics and demonstrate professionalism at their work place.
“As accountants and auditors, you should not allow bias, conflict of interest and undue influence to cloud your professional judgement,” she added.
Ms. Dake gave the advice in an address read for her by the Vice President of ICAG, Mr. Augustine Addo, at the end-of-year dinner dance by the Takoradi District Society of Accountants at Akroma Plaza Hotel in Takoradi.
According to her, a distinguishing mark of the accountancy profession is the acceptance of the responsibility to act in the public interest.
She said: “Your employers and clients have hired you because of the merit of your academic and professional certificates; and their expectation from you is competency, professional scepticism and up-dated demonstrable skills”.
Recounting some recent court cases, revelations from Auditor-General’s Report and Public Accounts Committee of ParliamentHearings, Ms. Dake advised accountants and auditors to comply with all laws, regulations, policies and regulatory directives that govern their jobs and eschew vices that compromise their individual and professional credibility.
She further urged accountants and auditors to exhibit professionalism at their workplace by demonstrating the attributes of competency, integrity, respect, accountability, self-discipline,expertise, emotional intelligence, commitment and politeness.
She also reminded accountants and auditors of the emerging challenges automation and artificial intelligence pose to accountancy practice; and encouraged accountants and auditors in Ghana to acquire relevant working knowledge in such areas as Microsoft office applications, mobility, Cloud, Augmented and Virtual Reality, digital service delivery, e-payment systems, cyber-security and artificial intelligence in order to remain afloat and relevant to their diversified stakeholders.
