A CPD Seminar on "Ethics & Independence in Accountancy Profession" was held on Thursday, 14 January 2010 at ICAB Auditorium, CA Bhaban (9th Floor), Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.

Mr. Jamaluddin Ahmed Ph.D FCA, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) in his Address of Welcome highlighted the various conceptual features of Ethics and Independence pronounced by the International Federation of Accountants, International Accounting Standards Committee and International Accounting Standards Board. Dr. Jamal said that in the context of the ongoing global financial crisis the practices of Ethics and Independence in preparing and Auditing Financial Statements is of paramount importance. He made a clarion call to the Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh to comply with the Accounting and Auditing Standards and practice professional Ethics and Independence to strengthen and consolidate the accounting profession in order to meet commitment and serve & protect public interest. He emphasized the compliance of the Code of Ethics adopted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh to ensure transparency, accountability and effective governance of the entities.

Dr. Mizanur Rahman Shelly, Chairman, Centre for Development Research for Bangladesh participating in the Seminar as Chief Guest referred in his speech the causes of the ongoing global financial crisis and opined that professional accountants should comply with the principles of Ethics and exercise independent opinion while reporting on financial statements audited by them. He emphatically gave importance on disclosure by a professional accountant which he termed very important to protect the interest of the investors and stakeholders. Dr Shelly was strongly of the opinion that the Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh should practice the principles of Ethics, Independence and Governance to help build up sound and steady economy of the entities.

Mr. Md. Humayun Kabir FCA, Member Council and Former President-ICAB presented the Keynote Paper which was highly appreciated by the house.

The CPD Seminar was presided over by Mr. Sheikh A. Hafiz FCA, President, South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA). Summing up the floor discussion in the Seminar Mr. Hafiz cautioned the Member of the Accountancy Profession to be acutely careful and conscious and exercise professional skill in the application and compliance of Accounting and Auditing Standards to protect public interest.