Skip to content

ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Fundamental principles of ethical behaviour

An accountant is asked by her finance director to complete a task that she has never done before and for which she has no training. She agrees without raising her concerns, in order to avoid looking weak. Which fundamental principle is most directly at risk?

Professional competence and due care is most at risk. Accountants must only undertake work they have the knowledge and skill to perform, and act diligently. Accepting an unfamiliar task without training or raising concerns risks poor-quality work. Objectivity and confidentiality are not the central issue in this scenario.

  1. AProfessional competence and due careCorrect
  2. BObjectivity
  3. CConfidentiality

Explanation

The principle of professional competence and due care requires accountants to maintain the knowledge and skill needed and to act diligently. Taking on work beyond one's ability without seeking help or training risks breaching it. Objectivity concerns bias and confidentiality concerns disclosure, neither of which is the main issue here.

Did you get it right without looking?

One question tells you little. A timed set on Fundamental principles of ethical behaviour shows your real accuracy, how long you take and where you lose marks.

Practise Fundamental principles of ethical behaviourFree diagnostic mock

More Fundamental principles of ethical behaviour questions