Complaints Investigation and Disciplinary Procedures
Information for Complainants, Members, Students, Professional Corporations and Firms
INTRODUCTION
As the governing body of a self-regulating profession, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bermuda has a responsibility to protect the public interest by ensuring that all members, students, professional corporations and firms observe high professional and ethical standards. This responsibility is met through a program of inter-related activities that includes:
High standards of qualification, involving both a demanding education program with a rigorous final examination and a significant period of prescribed practical experience under authorized supervision
A comprehensive professional development program
An internationally recognized, mandatory practice inspection program directed to ensuring that members and firms engaged in public practice maintain prescribed professional standards
Practice and ethics advisory and counseling services
A comprehensive and well-resourced disciplinary process that, through experienced members of the profession and public representatives, deals on a timely basis with complaints and other matters concerning the professional conduct of members, students, professional corporations and firms.
The Institute does not have the power to compel a member, student, professional corporation or firm to pay monies or to perform acts in relation to third parties. These powers are exercised by the courts. Similarly, disputes in respect of fees, unless satisfied through the operation of the Institute's fees mediation service, are determined by the courts.