Use our ethics checklist to guide you through an ethical dilemma.
Ethics helpline and support
Sometimes the right course of action isn't clear. We’re here to support you, via our ethics helpline and inbox. We can also direct you towards lots of other useful resources.
Resources
Ethics checklist
CIMA ethics helpline and inbox
Email: cima.ethics@aicpa-cima.com
Phone: +44 (0) 20 3814 2303
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the fact that many of our staff are working remotely, the most reliable method for accessing ethics support at this time is via email. Contacting us via email allows us to send links to resources which may help with your dilemma.
If you call and no one is available, please either contact us via email or leave a voicemail requesting a call back.
Our helpline and inbox offer free and confidential support for members and candidates. We can provide guidance relating to the Code and help you consider possible courses of action. CIMA cannot provide legal or technical/accountancy guidance – we can only help to guide you through the Code of Ethics. The ethics inbox and helpline are confidential - we do not require you to give your CIMA ID, your full name or to use a business email address.
We aim to respond to you within two working days.
Legal advice - UK law only
Tel: 0800 092 1980 or +44 (0)1275 376031 (Available Monday-Friday 08:00 to 20:00 GMT/BST)
If your query to the ethics helpline or inbox has a legal element we may refer you to an external legal helpline for a free consultation. This is paid for by CIMA and you need a referral code.
This service is provided by Law Express which also offers low cost professional legal advice for all personal, commercial and employment issues. The service is also available to your partner and any dependent children under 21 years. Please quote your CIMA ID when calling. Your call is only free if you have been referred by the CIMA Ethics helpline.
AML Suspicious Activity Reports
CIMA will not advise you whether you should submit a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) or whether circumstances you describe should lead to an SAR being made. If you have actual knowledge or suspicions of money laundering or terrorist financing, or reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting a client or colleague of being involved with money laundering or terrorist financing, then you are obliged to report this immediately to the National Crime Agency in the UK OR the relevant Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in your jurisdiction.
Please do not provide details of suspicious activity to CIMA as this may create reporting obligations for us. Refer to this guide in respect of SAR reporting.
Whistleblowing guidance
CIMA cannot accept or deal with whistleblowing reports against employers or companies.
There are a number of organisations that you can whistleblow to. We advise that you should be prepared with evidence to support the issue you are speaking out against.
If you suspect a CIMA member of misconduct, you are obliged to report this under CIMA Byelaw 11. Please see our separate section on this webpage for further information.
UK:
The UK's whistleblowing law is the Public Interest Disclosure Act.
The UK government provides guidance on whistleblowing. Should a member or student have whistleblowing concerns they can contact Law Express free (details above), quoting 'CIMA whistleblow' for specific advice about actions they should take and the law's protection.
UK charity Protect offers free expert advice via phone, email or letter on speaking up or whistleblowing.
Other countries:
View information about organisations around the world which may be able to offer whistleblowing guidance.
UK
The UK's whistleblowing law is the Public Interest Disclosure Act.
The UK government provides guidance on whistleblowing. Should a member or student have whistleblowing concerns they can contact Law Express free (details above), quoting 'CIMA whistleblow' for specific advice about actions they should take and the law's protection.
UK charity Protect offers free expert advice via phone, email or letter on speaking up or whistleblowing.
Other countries:
View information about organisations around the world which may be able to offer whistleblowing guidance.
IBE Speak Up Toolkit
In some situations it may be appropriate to use a Speak Up or Whistleblowing hotline. The Institute of Business Ethics has created a toolkit which can guide you through the process of speaking up, and answer questions you might have at each stage.
Anti-bribery guidance
Anti-bribery guidance is available for CIMA candidates and members to better understand the implications of anti-corruption legislation.
Other resources
UK:
Prudential Regulation Authority
Other countries:
For relevant agencies in your market, please contact your regional CIMA office.
Reporting Misconduct by CIMA Members
If you suspect another CIMA member (or members) of misconduct then you are required to report this to the Institute under Byelaw 11 which includes:
“A Member or Registered Student shall report promptly to the Institute any facts or matters which cause him reasonably to believe that another Member or Registered Student may have been guilty of misconduct as defined in Bye-law 1 and when considering such report shall have regard to guidelines issued in this connection by the Institute".
You can find the full Charter and Byelaws here.
If you need to make a complaint of misconduct against a CIMA member you can do this through the conduct processes. You can find out how to do this here.
Please note CIMA does not supply legal, investment, professional, or career advice. Information and comments by our staff are given in good faith and for the purpose of general guidance only.
CIMA will take all reasonable care in dealing with individual queries but can only respond on the basis of the information provided. No responsibility or liability whatsoever is accepted for any error, omission or misstatement (whether or not arising out of negligence) or for any loss or damage sustained as a result of reliance on information supplied or comments made.