Code of Ethics

PA GLOBAL – PA Global Code of Ethics (COE)

The PA Global Code of Ethics (COE) is the ethical foundation of the PA Global Network and forms Component II of the Roadmap to Excellence (R2E). It establishes binding ethical principles, independence requirements, and conduct expectations for all Member Firms and professionals operating under the PA Global name.

The COE is aligned with the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) issued by the IESBA (2023 Edition). It adapts global ethical principles to the realities of multi-jurisdictional, cross-border, and network-based engagements, ensuring consistency in ethical reasoning across all PA Global Member Firms

The COE is not merely a policy document; it is the framework that governs ethical judgment, professional behavior, and public-interest responsibility across the Network. The COE applies to:

• All PA Global Member Firms and their controlled entities
• All partners, principals, professionals, and staff delivering services under the PA Global brand
• Shared service teams, committees, and affiliated service providers involved in PA Global work

Ultimately, the COE defines how we behave as professionals, especially when facing ethical dilemmas, conflicts of interest, independence threats, or regulatory pressure. Leadership is expected not only to understand the COE, but to actively embed, communicate, and enforce it within their firms.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Explain the purpose, scope, and binding nature of the PA Global Code of Ethics within the R2E framework.
• Understand and apply the five fundamental ethical principles in professional judgment and conduct.
• Use the IESBA conceptual framework to identify, evaluate, and address ethical and independence threats.
• Distinguish independence requirements at engagement, firm, and network levels.
• Respond appropriately to ethical dilemmas, breaches, and NOCLAR situations.
• Understand roles, accountability, monitoring, and disciplinary mechanisms related to ethics and independence.
• Promote an ethical culture aligned with PA Global values across engagements and jurisdictions.

Who Should Attend:

• Managing Partners and Country Leaders
• Engagement Partners, Directors, and EQCRs
• Quality Leaders / Ethics & Independence Champions
• International Liaison Professionals (ILPs)
• All professionals who represent or operationalize PA Global membership requirements
• Governance, compliance, and HR leads
• Senior managers responsible for training, supervision, or ethical oversight

Course Highlights:

• The Role of the COE within PA Global Governance: How the Code of Ethics complements the Members’ Compass, Governing Charter, and SOQM to form an integrated governance and quality framework.
• Fundamental Ethical Principles in Practice: Practical application of integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality, and professional behavior.
• The Ethical Threats & Safeguards Framework: Step-by-step use of the conceptual framework to assess threats and design appropriate safeguards.
• Independence Requirements & High-Risk Scenarios: Clear guidance on independence, non-assurance services, conflicts of interest, and cross-border engagements.
• Ethical Breaches, NOCLAR, and Escalation: How to identify breaches, document actions, escalate matters, and comply with reporting obligations.
• Monitoring, Enforcement, and Accountability: Understanding declarations, monitoring mechanisms, disciplinary actions, and network-level oversight.
• Embedding Ethics into Firm Culture: How leadership should cascade the COE into policies, training, onboarding, and daily professional behavior.

Prerequisites:

Participants are encouraged to have:

• A basic understanding of PA Global governance documents, including the Members’ Compass and Governing Charter
• Familiarity with their firm’s quality responsibilities
• General awareness of professional and ethical expectations

No prior detailed knowledge of the IESBA Code is required. The course is applicable to all service lines and leadership functions, not audit-only roles.