Ethics, integrity the keywords

New local members of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants have been urged to embrace integrity and ethical behaviour.
The call came from Betty Brathwaite, a partner in accounting and financial services firm Deloitte (Barbados), during an induction ceremony at Hilton Barbados recently.
“Let such standards be embedded in the way you make decisions, the way you take action, the way you treat your clients and in the way you treat each other,” she said.
Brathwaite said while openness, transparency and legitimacy are important, a strong base of ethics and a commitment to ethical principles are now crucial.
She suggested that the new recruits raise issues and discuss differences of opinion when necessary.
“Become members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados and have an input into the future of your profession and let your voice be heard concerning issues that may arise, as I assure you they would,” Brathwaite said.
She noted that new recruits at Deloitte are reminded that their firms are committed to the highest levels of ethics, integrity and quality.
“This is evidenced by business practices and client service standards but moreso by leadership behaviour and shared values, and most importantly by the quality of the people we employ.
“We strive to do not only what is legal but what is right. Our people have high professional and ethical standards and are expected to demonstrate these standards every day through the delivery of quality professional services,” she noted.
Brathwaite added that employees are reminded that doing the right thing means operating to the letter and in the spirit of the laws that govern their profession and the global marketplace. (NB)