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Difficulty: HardEthical Issues and Professional Ethics in Accounting

According to the ICAN Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, the fundamental principle of confidentiality requires an accountant to refrain from disclosing client or employer financial information under all circumstances, even when subpoenaed by a court of law or required by anti-money laundering legislation.

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is False.
The fundamental principle of confidentiality is not absolute. Under professional accounting codes of ethics (such as ICAN and IFAC), accountants are required to disclose confidential information when there is a legal right or duty to disclose, such as under court subpoenas, statutory tax investigations, or anti-money laundering provisions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the ethical principle and rule in question.
The concept is the principle of Confidentiality under ICAN/IFAC codes of ethics.
Evaluating whether confidentiality is absolute or subject to statutory overrides.
2
Evaluate the exceptions to professional confidentiality.
Confidentiality does not apply when disclosure is required by law (e.g., judicial court order, statutory reporting of financial fraud/money laundering) or permitted by law for professional defense.
Legal duty supersedes professional secrecy in regulatory and judicial contexts.

Key Concept

Exceptions to the Fundamental Principle of Confidentiality in Professional Ethics
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Topics

Ethical Issues and Professional Ethics in Accounting

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