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Ethics and acceptance

1.6 Confidentiality

The auditor has a duty of confidentiality which must not be breached except in certain
circumstances.

Disclosure of confidential information should only be made if:

(a) Disclosure is permitted by law and is authorised by the client or the employer.

(b) Disclosure is required by law, for example:

 Production of documents or other provision of evidence in the course of
legal proceedings.

 Disclosure to the appropriate public authorities of infringements of the law
that come to light.

(c) There is a professional duty or right to disclose, when not prohibited by law:

 To comply with the quality review of ACCA or another professional body.

 To respond to an inquiry or investigation by ACCA or a regulatory body.

 To protect the professional interests of a professional accountant in legal
proceedings.

 To comply with technical standards and ethics requirements.

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