Understanding Ethical Principles and Independence Requirements Applicable to Valuation Services

Maintaining ethical behavior

Ethical behavior is essential to upholding the public trust in our profession. However, competing values and interests often test our decision making. You’ll review ways to solve ethical dilemmas through thoughtful analysis. Additionally, you’ll apply the concepts you learn to practice solving ethical dilemmas using the models and approaches in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (the code). Topics covered include:

• Rules and interpretations
• The ethical decision-making model
• The conceptual framework approach

Key aspects of independence

As a practitioner, you need to know when independence is required and how to safeguard against threats to your independence. You’ll examine key aspects of independence, including:

• The definition of independence
• Engagements that require independence
• Who must maintain independence
• Independence requirements related to valuation, forensic, or other consulting services

Courses included in this bundle

• Ethical Principles and the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
• Independence Requirements in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct

Who Will Benefit

• Professionals considering focusing on valuation as a career
• Professionals in business and industry, particularly within corporate finance, seeking to increase their technical expertise in valuation
• Professionals working in public accounting or consulting firms, or both, involved in valuations related to mergers and acquisitions, litigation, fair value, and other business interests
• Professionals preparing for the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) credential exam

Key Topics

• The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct’s structure
• Underlying principles, rules, and interpretations of the code
• The ethical decision-making model
• The conceptual framework approach
• Independence
• Relationships that threaten independence
• Nonattest services that threaten independence
• Other independence rules

Learning Outcomes

• Recall the steps involved in analyzing ethical matters.
• Recognize the structure and content of the AICPA code, including its underlying principles.
• Recall AICPA ethics rules and interpretations on integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, advertising, and accounting principles.
• Recall the conceptual framework approach embedded in the AICPA code.
• Recognize when independence is required.
• Identify the financial, family, and employment relationships that could threaten compliance with the independence rules.
• Recall the nonattest services that threaten independence.
• Recall when additional independence provisions (such as SEC, PCAOB, GAO, and DOL requirements) apply.