Press release: Tax bodies respond to professional standards call

In a joint statement in response to the Government’s paper, CIOT President Anne Fairpo and ATT President Natalie Miller said:



“We acknowledge that we share with the tax authorities the task of maintaining trust in the tax system. We are committed to continuing to work with government to do this.

“People are entitled to expect, and get, high ethical and professional standards from their tax advisers. Tax advisers within the CIOT, ATT and other professional bodies in tax and accountancy are bound by a robust code of professional conduct which sets out the standards required of them. This code requires members to comply with five fundamental principles: integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behaviour. The code is public and has been in place for many years.



“We believe this code does its job well. It is revised regularly to ensure it continues to be relevant. The current version was issued only last year but we continue to work with the other professional bodies, and in liaison with HMRC, in reviewing and revising the code as necessary. We will take on board the Chief Secretary’s challenge to look carefully at whether it needs further strengthening in relation to avoidance.”

Notes for editors

1. Paragraph 3.19 on the Government’s paper, ‘Tackling Tax Evasion and Avoidance’, states:

Today, the government also announced it is asking the regulatory bodies who police professional standards to take on a greater lead and responsibility in setting and enforcing clear professional standards around the facilitation and promotion of avoidance to protect the reputation of the tax and accountancy profession and to act for the greater public good.

Technical Team