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Ethics

Ethical behaviour plays a vital role in ensuring public trust in financial reporting and business practices and upholding the reputation of the accountancy profession. ICAEW members are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of professional conduct and take into consideration the public interest.

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Key resources

Photo from the Global Ethics Day 2025
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The latest ethics related videos, webinars and podcasts from ICAEW. Find expert insight into ethical decision making, speaking up and ethical standards, which will support your professional development.
ICAEW's Ethics CPD course is designed to help you apply the Code of Ethics to everyday situations and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.
Featured

Global Ethics Day

ICAEW celebrates Global Ethics Day each year. The 2025 theme is "Ethics Re-envisioned,” challenging us to think boldly about how we embed ethical principles into the heart of our organisations.
Find out more
Supporting accountants

Ethics and AI

In 2024, ICAEW’s Trust and Ethics Team hosted roundtables on shaping guidance for the accountancy profession on the ethical use of artificial intelligence. Read an overview of the discussions, offering insights into real-life use cases and the risks that must be managed.
Download
Regulation

ICAEW Code of Ethics

ICAEW's Code of Ethics applies to all members, students, affiliates and employees of member firms.
Guidance and the code
Support

Ethics recordings

The latest ethics related videos, webinars and podcasts from ICAEW. Find expert insight into ethical decision making, speaking up and ethical standards, which will support your professional development.
Watch now
Online training

Ethics CPD course

ICAEW has created a free online ethics course to support members in meeting their changing continuing professional development (CPD) requirements
Find out more

ICAEW Code of Ethics

ICAEW's Code of Ethics applies to all members, students, affiliates, employees of member firms and, where applicable, member firms, in all of their professional and business activities, whether remunerated or voluntary. The latest edition came into force on 1 July 2025.

About the ICAEW Code of Ethics
  • Regulations
  • 01 Jul 2025
All ICAEW members have a professional duty to comply with the Code of Ethics. They must familiarise themselves thoroughly with the current version of the Code which came into force 1 July 2025. Find out more about the Code and how to use it.
ICAEW Code of Ethics 2025
  • Regulations
  • 31 Mar 2025
  • PDF (3,876kb)
The 2025 edition of the Code comes into force on 1 July 2025. Key changes from the previous edition include: updates relating to professional behaviour; role and mindset; and technology.
Code of ethics - the five fundamental principles
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 27 Mar 2025
All ICAEW Chartered Accountants are bound by ICAEW’s Code of Ethics, which is based on five fundamental principles: integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentially and professional behaviour.
Code of Ethics - the conceptual framework
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 31 Mar 2025
All ICAEW Chartered Accountants are bound by ICAEW’s Code of Ethics, which contains the conceptual framework to help practitioners identify, evaluate and address threats to their compliance with the Code and its fundamental principles.
ICAEW Code of Ethics 2025 - changes highlighted
  • Regulations
  • 05 Jun 2025
  • PDF (2,718kb)
This version of the 2025 Code of Ethics highlights in orange key changes in the text from the 2019 edition. This includes provisions which are new, have been deleted or subject to extensive reordering.
The role and mindset expected of professional accountants
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 27 Jan 2025
An overview of the key revisions to the 2025 edition of ICAEW's Code of Ethics which are intended to promote the role and mindset expected of all professional accountants.
The impact of technology
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 27 Jan 2025
An overview of the key revisions to the 2025 edition of ICAEW's Code of Ethics which relate to the impact of technology on the work of accountants, as well as other revisions relating to professional skills.
Professional and personal conduct
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 14 May 2025
The 2025 edition of ICAEW's Code of Ethics introduces an important change to the application material within the fundamental principle of professional behaviour. Read guidance on the changes.
More support

Webinar: 2025 Code

On 4 April, ICAEW recorded a webinar outlining the 2025 update to the Code of Ethics and what the changes mean for accountants in practice. It covered:
- the evolving role and mindset expected of professional accountants; and
- new provisions governing the use of technology.

Watch the recording Download slides
Aligning with Global Ethics Day on 18 October, ICAEW is exploring the vital importance of ethics to the accountancy and finance profession. Hear from CFOs and ethics experts on the key issues.

Articles and features

Five steps to more inclusive communication
  • Article
  • 05 Dec 2025
By highlighting qualities such as respect, transparency and compassion, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a natural driver for workplace ethics, says Cherryl Cooper of Grant Thornton UK. She recommends a five-step approach to EDI-based communication.
Exclusive Exploring the impact of new sustainability assurance standards on engagements
  • Article
  • 14 Nov 2025
What will new sustainability assurance standards ISSA 5000 and IESSA mean for sustainability-related engagements, assurance practitioners and the existing standards framework for assurance, ethics and independence? Find answers in our Q&A overview.
Applying the building blocks of ethical culture
  • Article
  • 04 Nov 2025
From whistleblowing and governance to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and the use of AI, Global Ethics Day speakers unveiled a host of ideas for building and upholding strong organisational ethics.
Global Ethics Day: the right way to apply integrity
  • Article
  • 15 Oct 2025
Ethics training is more effective when it translates philosophical principles into the real-world challenges accountants face in the workplace.
Non compliance provisions in the Insolvency Code of Ethics (NOCLAR)
  • Article
  • 10 Oct 2025
Since 1 May 2020,the Insolvency Code of Ethics has included provisions on non-compliance with laws and regulations (NOCLAR) and insolvency practitioners’ (IPs) responsibilities. These provisions, as with the code generally, do not just apply to IPs but also to their insolvency teams, so it is critical that IPs and their staff receive appropriate training. Read and share our guidance with your teams.
How to build an ethical, compliance-friendly culture
  • Article
  • 08 Oct 2025
In the modern corporate world, “ethics” appears in mission statements, codes of conduct, and annual reports. But what does that mean in practice, and how can companies go beyond compliance checklists to create cultures of integrity?
Ethics: four questions to assess company culture
  • Article
  • 06 Oct 2025
When stepping onto a board or taking up a leadership role, how do you assess the ethics of the organisation? Here are the key questions you need to ask.
Three common ethical failures and how to avoid them
  • Article
  • 01 Oct 2025
Nisha Sanghani, Partner and Head of Risk Advisory in the Middle East at Ashurst Risk Advisory, outlines how organisations can really create an ethical culture and not slip into box-ticking or slogans.
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Videos on ethics

The latest ethics related videos, webinars and podcasts from ICAEW. Find expert insight into ethical decision making, speaking up and ethical standards, which will support your professional development.

Watch now
The latest ethics related videos, webinars and podcasts from ICAEW. Find expert insight into ethical decision making, speaking up and ethical standards, which will support your professional development.

Case studies

Case studies created by the UK and Ireland’s Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) exploring the ethical dilemmas faced by accountants across a range of sectors and roles.
Ethical dilemmas in the non-for-profit sector
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 22 Feb 2022
Six case studies published by CCAB focused on the ethical dilemmas facing professional accountants working in the not-for-profit sector, covering: disclosure of malpractice, fair tender policies, undisclosed employee benefits, performance information and persuading others to tell the truth.
Ethical dilemmas: working in business
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 22 Feb 2022
Seven case studies from CCAB dealing with some of the ethical dilemmas facing accountants working within businesses, covering: pressure to overstate stock valuation, suspicion of false accounting, non-disclosure to auditors, NOCLAR and more.
Ethical dilemmas in the public sector
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 22 Feb 2022
Six case studies from CCAB dealing with some of the ethical dilemmas facing accountants in the public sector, covering: performance information, political pressure, confidential information available during a tendering process and more.
Ethical dilemmas: working as a NED
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 22 Feb 2022
A series of case studies from CCAB dealing with some of the ethical dilemmas facing accountants working as non-executive directors, covering: governance procedures not being followed, confidentiality and conflict of interest, and pressure to make a decision without adequate information.
Ethical dilemmas: public practice
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 22 Feb 2022
Seven case studies from CCAB dealing with some of the ethical dilemmas facing accountants working in public practice, covering: staff performance issues, improper accounting for sales, conflicting clients' interests, financial interest and more.
ICAEW training films
  • Promotional material
  • 24 Apr 2025
ICAEW training films provoke discussions and challenge mindsets about how to deal with difficult decisions and topical issues in business situations. Develop skills to identify risk, technical competence and professional scepticism.

Helpsheets

Support from ICAEW's Technical Advisory Services team, covering ethical issues facing members.

Exclusive Power of attorney
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 07 Dec 2023
Helpsheet giving guidance to ICAEW members on ethical considerations before accepting a Power of Attorney role, explaining types like Lasting and Enduring POA, their legal scope, and when they apply based on mental capacity.
Exclusive Can I be a trustee/director for my non-audit client?
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 17 Mar 2023
Helpsheet giving guidance to ICAEW members on ethical and legal issues when acting as a trustee or director for a non-audit client. It outlines risks to objectivity, required safeguards, and stresses the importance of independence and professional judgment.
Exclusive What is an other entity of public interest (OEPI)?
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 16 Feb 2021
Technical helpsheet issued to help ICAEW members to understand what an other entity of public interest (OEPI) is and when restrictions on providing non-audit / additional services to OEPIs apply from.
Exclusive Working with vulnerable clients
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 28 Jan 2021
This helpsheet will help members identify and support vulnerable clients and act in their best interests. It outlines risk factors like age, health issues, and low income, and emphasizes integrity, objectivity, and confidentiality. It also covers powers of attorney, deputyships, guardianships, staff training, and the TEXAS protocol.
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Key topics

Anti-money laundering law and guidance
Guidance and other work that we have done on anti-money laundering law and practice, in the UK and internationally.
UK company law
Resources include relevant ICAEW technical releases, such as guidance on dividends and distributable profits, and updates on key developments in regulation, prospective legislation and related matters of professional concern to accountants in practice, industry or commerce.
Corporate governance
ICAEW and our members promote good practice in corporate governance.
Economic crime
Access guidance, resources and tools relating to the prevention of economic crime, including legislative developments, anti-money laundering, fraud, bribery and corruption, and modern slavery.
Data protection and privacy
All organisations that collect, store or process personal information on living and identifiable people must comply with the Data Protection Act 2018. Additional resources can be found on the GDPR (now the Data Protection Act 2018 in the UK).
Fraud
Fraud is usually taken to mean the gaining of an illicit advantage through deception and in particular the manipulation of financial information or accounting records.
Modern slavery
It is estimated there are more than 40 million people in the world living in conditions of slavery or working under forced or compulsory conditions. In the UK, thousands of cases are reported each year, and authorities estimate there are well over 100,000 victims living in the country.
Whistleblowing
An individual in an organisation who makes disclosures in the public interest about dangerous or illegal activities, in order that the misconduct or perceived misconduct can be addressed, is a whistleblower. Whistleblowing can either occur internally within the employing organisation or externally, and should not be used as a method of resolving a personal complaint or grievance.

Webinars

Car loans: the issue, the Supreme Court decision and the FCA redress scheme
  • Webinar
  • 07 Nov 2025
This webinar recording on Motor Finance addresses one of the most significant consumer finance issues of the year: the fallout from recent court decisions and regulatory investigations into car loans.
Webinar: ICAEW Code of Ethics 2025
  • Webinar
  • 04 Apr 2025
On 4 April, ICAEW recorded a webinar outlining the 2025 update to the Code and what the changes mean for accountants. It covers: the evolving role and mindset expected of professional accountants; and new provisions governing the use of technology.
What is Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation?
  • Video
  • 03 Feb 2025
Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation sets out the fundamental principles and standards for tax planning that all members, affiliates and students who practise in tax must follow. We explain the basics in a new video.
Exclusive Enhancing risk management: benefits of a new or enhanced first line risk and control function
  • Webinar
  • 23 Jan 2025
This webinar will provide you with a range of perspectives, setting out the legal and regulatory framework and ethical considerations, alongside practical experience from our experts.

Ethics CPD course

This free online course helps you apply the Code of Ethics to everyday situations, uphold the highest standards of professional conduct, and satisfy your ethics continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.

Find out more
ICAEW's Ethics CPD course is designed to help you apply the Code of Ethics to everyday situations and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.

Further resources

icaew communities
Corporate Governance Community
Forensic & Expert Witness Community
Restructuring & Insolvency Community
Solicitors Community
library resources
eBooks on law
related topics
Audit reform and trust in business
Corporate governance
Gender pay gap reporting: the regulations
Professional conduct in relation to taxation (PCRT)