Ethics: A key element of the learning journey for all CA Student Members and ICAS Members

Ann Buttery, CA, Head of Ethics, ICAS Policy Leadership, highlights that ethics is a key element of the learning journey for all CA Student Members and ICAS Members, emphasising the importance that ICAS places on ethical behaviour.

The Power of One

Our The Power of One business ethics initiative highlights that the CA is more than just a professional qualification; it is a career for life. The personal benefits that such a career brings should not be regarded lightly nor should the responsibility that goes with it. Each individual CA has to take personal responsibility for the maintenance of the highest standards of ethical principles throughout their career and must also be cognisant of the fundamental requirement of the accountancy profession to act in the public interest. No matter the career stage or level of seniority, every CA can have a strong role in shaping the culture and values of the organisations in which they work to the benefit of our broader society.

The start of the journey

The fundamental importance of ethics to the accountancy profession is emphasised from the start of a CA student member’s journey with us. The ICAS Code of Ethics applies not only to our members but also to  our CA student members; ethics is integral to the CA qualification syllabus.

Ethics is included within the appropriate subject areas at the Knowledge (K) level, Skills (S) level, and Integration (I) levels of the qualification. Each course includes an ethical learning outcome which is assessed as part of each assessment diet. In addition, all students must complete a Professional Ethics course which consists of three compulsory elements:

Ethics Module

The Ethics Module is completed in the first year of the CA training contract, as part of the Fundamentals onboarding course. It looks at the decisions of the student from a personal perspective. Ethics introduces the ICAS Code of Ethics, ethical decision-making, and the impact of these decisions. Students also learn about different ethical theories, and how these can influence decisions. Additionally, the Module looks at sustainability and demonstrates that environmentally sustainable practices make good business sense.

Professional Ethics (PE)

Professional Ethics (PE) is delivered as part of the Integration course in the final year. PE covers decision-making from a professional perspective. Using short case studies, students are encouraged to think and act ethically. This commitment is reinforced by an annual declaration of good ethical standing for each students' record of relevant practical experience.

Professional Ethics (PE) exam

In November 2018, we introduced a Business Ethics exam for CA student members (replacing an ethics-based assignment). The exam’s introduction emphasised the importance we place on ethics being at the heart of the profession. ‘Public trust’ is now also an element of the exam. The PE exam takes place the day after the final CS (Case Study) technical exam and the student must pass it to qualify as a CA. It is a short case study, which brings together elements from Ethics Module (at Fundamentals) and the PE course.

Students are required to identify ethical issues, evaluate these issues, discuss options and provide suitable recommendations with reference to the ICAS Code of Ethics and relevant legislation. The assessment ensures newly qualified CAs demonstrate the ability to develop an ethical mindset and are prepared to act in the public interest from the beginning of their professional career.

Ethics Oath for new ICAS Members

For those newly qualified ICAS members attending the ICAS Admission Ceremony, they are reminded again of their ethical responsibilities and stand along with their fellow CAs to make the following oral ethical declaration:

“I declare that I will conduct myself in a manner that maintains and enhances my own professional reputation, that of my fellow members and ICAS.

As a CA, I commit myself to acting in the public interest and will conduct myself with integrity, objectivity and courage, and in accordance with the high ethical standards of ICAS.”

The journey continues - mandatory ethics CPD

CA student members are taught and examined on their knowledge of ethics; however, it is also recognised that there is a need for continued and ongoing training in ethics post qualification to serve as a continual reminder to members of their ethical responsibilities. 

From 1 January 2021, ICAS introduced mandatory Ethics CPD for all ICAS members. Since then, members have had to show how they’ve maintained their knowledge and awareness of ethics-related matters throughout the year within their CPD record. 

ICAS Council has agreed that with effect from 1 January 2026, all non-retired members must complete at least one hour of ethics-related CPD each year. 

Mandatory ethics CPD doesn’t necessarily mean attending an ethics course or purchasing ethics material. It could simply involve some ethics-related reading which is freely available online.  See here for further information.

Ethics is at the heart of the professional responsibilities of our members

The Power of One calls on all CAs to place ethical leadership at the heart of their professional responsibilities, and ethics being core to learning, not only to achieve qualification as a CA but also being mandatory for CPD post qualification, serves to continually highlight to CA student members and our members the importance of ethical behaviour.

ICAS ethics resources

We are committed to providing ethics resources and support to our members. Since 2015, we have published a series of publications, guidance and resources as part of the Power of One initiative which are all available on our website.

In 2025, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of The Power of One by refreshing the reports and insights to reflect today’s challenges and reaffirm the need for CAs to demonstrate ethical leadership:

• Ethics -The Power of One
• The Power of One – Personal responsibility and ethical leadership
• The Power of One – Moral Courage
• The Power of One – Personal Reputation
• The Power of One – Organisational culture and values
• The Power of One – The CA and the organisation
• The Ethical Journey – The Right, the Good and the Virtuous
• The Power of One - Organisational culture: The Importance of Listening

We also offer the following:

• Guidance on conflict of interest;
• an ethical decision making framework;
• ethics videos;
• case studies, including CAs’ real-life ethical dilemmas featured within the ICAS research publication Speak up? Listen Up? Whistleblow?
• research.

If you have an ethical query, including a query on the provisions within the Code of Ethics in relation to values of equality, diversity and inclusion, we offer an ethics helpline service.

We are also partnered with whistleblowing charity Protect to provide members and students with access to an independent, confidential helpline. This service offers free advice regarding whistleblowing and speaking up.