Professional ethics in accounting and business

In this lesson

1. 0:00 Professional ethics in accounting overview
2. 0:42 What is ethics and why it matters
3. 2:10 Professional versus corporate codes of ethics
4. 6:28 International Federation of Accountants and ethics standards
5. 9:24 Acting in the public interest and stakeholders
6. 12:42 Role of professional bodies in ethics
7. 15:23 Reporting illegal and unethical conduct
8. 18:09 Ethical dilemmas and conflicting interests
9. 20:26 Threats to ethical behaviour in practice
10. 22:53 Safeguards against ethical threats
11. 27:15 Corporate codes of ethics typical contents
12. 30:09 Organisational values promoting ethical behaviour

About this lesson

James Wright breaks down ten core areas, from understanding what ethics means and why it matters, through to how professional bodies like ACCA enforce ethical standards and what happens when you face real ethical dilemmas in the workplace. You'll learn the five core principles of the IFRS code of ethics: integrity, objectivity, professional competence, confidentiality, and professional behaviour. The lesson covers how these apply in practice, including your duty to act in the public interest even when clients or employers push back, and how to recognise and report illegal or unethical conduct safely. You'll also discover the seven main threats to ethical behaviour—self-interest, self-review, intimidation, advocacy, familiarity, and others—and the practical safeguards organisations use to protect against them. The final sections examine corporate codes of ethics and how organisations promote ethical values through openness, respect, empowerment and accountability. James uses real exam-style scenarios throughout, including worked examples showing how to spot ethical threats and the correct steps to take when you encounter them. By the end, you'll understand both the professional standards you'll need to uphold as a qualified accountant and how to navigate complex ethical situations with confidence.

Duration: 37m