The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has released a New Code of Conduct for the students of the Chartered Accountancy Course. Read the official announcement and the said Code of Conduct below:
Board of Studies
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
2nd December, 2020
Sub: Observance of Code of Conduct by CA Students
The Code of Conduct for CA students is hosted on the Institute website and is available as mentioned below -
Code of Conduct for the
Students of Chartered Accountancy Course
The Council of the Institute has laid down 'Code of Conduct for CA Students' to be observed while pursuing Chartered Accountancy Course. This Code of Conduct is applicable to all students who are pursuing Chartered Accountancy Course and includes students who have completed practical training. The 'Code of Conduct for CA Students' is given below.
Preamble
The Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India hereby lays down the Code of Conduct to maintain decorum and discipline amongst the students of the Chartered Accountancy Course. While dealing with the members of the Institute and other public in general, it is expedient to ensure the Code of Conduct for students undergoing practical training under the Chartered Accountancy Course including students registered for Foundation, Intermediate/ Final Course and even those students who have already completed practical training.
Regulation 66 of the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988 makes an explicit mention that the Code of Conduct is applicable to the Students undergoing practical training under the Chartered Accountancy Course and deals with relevant procedure to be followed in case of breach of the same.
Interpretations:
In this Code of Conduct, unless otherwise stated,
• "Act" means The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (XXXVIII of 1949) as amended from time to time.
• "Regulations" means regulations made under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949"
• Institute" means the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) constituted under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
• "Council" means the Council of the Institute.
• "Board/Board of Studies (BoS)" is a non-standing Committee of the Council under Section 17(2) of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
• "Executive Committee" is the standing Committee of the Council formed under Section 17(1) of the Act.
• "Examination Committee" is the standing Committee formed under Section 17(1) of the Act".
• Principal" or "Employer" means a member entitled to train Articled Assistants and Audit Assistants under the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988.
• "Articled Assistant" means an articled assistant as referred to in clause (j) of sub-section (2) of Section 30 of the Act engaged under articles by a member entitled to train articled assistants under the Regulations;
• "Audit assistant" means an assistant engaged in audit service by a member entitled to train audit assistants under the Regulations;
• "Accredited Institution" means institution authorized by the Board of Studies for the purpose of organizing classes for Chartered Accountancy students as per guidelines issued from time to time.
1. General
1.1 Students who are registered as articled / audit assistants under the provisions of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 / Regulations framed thereunder (hereinafter referred to as "trainees" or "articled / audit trainees") should conduct themselves in accordance with the guidelines provided hereunder whilst undergoing practical training under the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988.
1.2 The Code of Conduct shall be applicable to all students including Foundation, Intermediate and also students pursuing the Final course who have / have not completed their articled training and, thus, shall be held liable in case they mis-handle / damage any assets / property/ infrastructure of ICAI or at its authorized Centre(s) / Venue(s) also shall be bound by various provisions under the proposed Code of Conduct. Further such person(s) shall also be required to maintain decency and decorum while attending programmes like seminars,
conferences, mock tests, ICITSS (IT & OC) & Adv ICITSS (Adv IT & MCS) or any other course/programme etc. organized by the Institute or its regional councils / branches.
2. Conduct of Articled / Audit Assistant
An Articled / Audit Assistant shall comply with the following principles of the code of conduct:
2.1 The articled / audit assistant shall, at all times, diligently and faithfully serve the Principal in the practice of profession of Accountancy.
2.2 The articled/audit assistant shall follow the covenants contained in the Deed of Articles and the provisions of the Act and Regulations as may be applicable, from time to time.
2.3 The articled / audit assistant shall be responsible for the quality and correctness of the work done by him in the course of practical training, either in the office of the Principal or in the offices of any of the clients of the Principal.
2.4 The articled / audit assistant shall not, at any time, during the continuation of his articleship - destroy, cancel, obliterate, spoil, embezzle, spend, take away with him/her copies of books, papers, plans, documents, monies, stamps, hardware, software or chattels whether belonging to the Employer or his personal representative(s) / assignees / partner(s) / client(s) which came into his/her hands or, custody or possession, or allow any other person to use the same without the prior approval of his employer.
2.5 The articled / audit assistant should at all times observe discipline and follow guidelines, rules and regulations set out by his/her employer and not act in any manner that will bring disrepute to his/ her employer or the profession in General.
2.6 The articled / audit assistant shall obey and follow all lawful and reasonable instructions of his/ her Employer and shall not depart or absent himself/herself from the training of the Employer at any time during the said term without the prior consent of his/her employer or partners but shall at all times during the said term conduct himself/herself with honesty and propriety.
2.7 The articled / audit assistant shall behave in a responsible manner as a prospective member of the profession, with his colleagues, staff members in his Employer's office, Employer's clients and their representatives, Institute's officials & employees and judicial, quasi-judicial and other authorities, wherever he/she represents his/her employer.
2.8 The articled / audit assistant shall conduct himself/herself in a manner which shall show that he/ she is endowed with impeccable character and help him/her to uphold ethical principles and professional Code of Ethics.
2.9 The articled / audit assistant shall not obtain any monetary help or assistance or any form of gratification directly or indirectly from the clients of the Principal, their officials or representatives.
2.10 Students, while undergoing Articled Training shall adhere to the formal Dress Code as per the local culture and tradition. Students while undergoing Orientation Course, Management and Communication Skills (MCS) course, Information Technology, Advanced Course should maintain discipline and decorum apart from adhering to dress code (Advisory Dress Code: Male Students: Full Sleeves Shirts and Trousers; Female Students: Sarees / Salwar Kurta / Suit. While appearing before the appellate authority, they may also wear a suit and a tie)
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Students are advised to observe these in letter and spirit so as to maintain the highest standards of this esteemed profession. In case of any violation of the same by the students, disciplinary action will be taken against them.
Acting Secretary, ICAI
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