Accountants in business or practice may have statutory or contractual obligations to report to a regulator or other third party or to the National Crime Agency under the Anti-Money Laundering requirements. They may also whistle-blow to a third party where it would be in the public interest to do so, even they have no legal obligation to do so. This right is discussed in the Guidance Statement Professional conduct in relation to defaults or unlawful acts.
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Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA)
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 was introduced to protect individuals making disclosures in the public interest and to allow such individuals to claim compensation for victimisation following such disclosure.
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TECH 10/14 AAF Receipt of Information in Confidence by Auditors
Guidance issued by ICAEW in May 2014. This replaces TECH 16/99 Receipt of Information in Confidence by Auditors which has been withdrawn.
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Department for Business Innovation and Skills' Call for Evidence 'The Whistleblowing Framework' (July 2013) and Response (June 2014)
The government believes that more should be done to encourage and protect whistleblowers and in July 2013 asked for submissions from interested parties to see how the law could be strengthened to provide more protection and encouragement. In June 2014 BIS published its response. BIS made a series of recommendations but the only legislative change that it proposed was that prescribed persons should produce an annual report on disclosures received. This is to be enacted via the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill. Student nurses were also added to the list of workers protected under the legislation.
Guides and publications
Reading lists and links
- Public Concern at Work (PCAW)
- Department for Business Innovation and Skills' Call for Evidence 'The Whistleblowing Framework' (July 2013)
- Not scared to snitch: whistleblowing advice for accountants
Guides / Publications
ICAEW representations
Help and support
Support and guidance is available to members dealing with issues around whistleblowing, from the following sources:
Raise a money laundering concern
Report a firm confidentially.
