The Study On Professional Ethics Of Construction Of Certified Public Accountants

With the uninterrupted deepening of our country's reform of economic structural reform, the occupation of China certified public accountants has scored considerable development. By the end of 2001, China has 4,287 accounting firms, 237 branch accounting firms and 55,898 certified public accountants. The certified public accountant contingent beginning to take shape is playing more and more important role in the reform and opening up and the construction of socialist market economy. By making comparison and study of the professional ethics of certified public accountants between China and US, we find that there are shortcomings in the construction of professional ethics of China certified public accountants. At present, the overall level of the professional ethics of China certified publicaccountants is low and their social reputation is bad. These are concretely described as follows: (1) Breaking professional rules and playing false in accounting. (2) The market competition is disorderly, improper means are taken to solicit clients. (3) Some accountants with qualified professional ability deal with the business that they are unequal to deal with. (4) For individual interests, some accountants deliberately disclose secrets of their clients. (5) Charging according to the service achievements. Such status quo is caused for the following reasons: Firstly, the certified public accountants suffers poor professional environment. The lagging-behind management system does not benefit certified public accountants' dealing with business independently, objectively and fairly. Trade monopolization and client particularity are the key factors influencing the independence of certified public accountants. Few service items, centralized clients and coincide seryice time does not benefit certified public accountants' dealing with business fairly. The public make little use of accounting statement and pay little attention to the profession of certified public accountants. Secondly, the self reason of certifiedpublic accountants. China certified public accountant contingent is a new contingent with uneven professional level, irrational personnel structure and poor professional ability. The employees without overall understanding of the professional characteristics of certified public accountants have not yet set up their strong consciousness on risk, responsibility and professional ethics. Thirdly, being improved progressively, China's certified public accountant system has a certain distance from legalization and standardization and lack effective binding system. Laying stress on professional ethics of certified public accountants in the course of socialist market economy system is of momentous current significance and far-reaching historical significance. At present, we should do well in the following resects to strengthen the construction of professional ethics of certified public accountants: Firstly, strengthening profession self-discipline and governmental supervision. By drawing on the useful international experiences, we shall effective system on profession self-discipline and governmental supervision to suit the socialist market economy and safeguard the public interests. Secondly, improving the system on the professional ethics standards of certified public accountants to bind effectively the professional actions of certified public accountants. Thirdly, improving the system on the legal responsibilities of certified public accountants to carry out the principle "Laws must be observed and strictly enforced and violators must be brought to justice". Fourthly, optimizing the professional environment of certified public accountants. Reforming the lagging-behind management system, improving company administration structure, standardizing system base. Fifthly, improving the organization form and internal operation system of accounting firms to build micro-base for trade development. Sixthly, strengthening the education of professional ethics and quality of certified public accountants to improve their professional eth...