Conflicts of interest can certainly cause serious harm when they are mishandled, yet their occurrence is not unusual in our professional lives. Organizations and individuals need and value our expertise, and as we take on more roles and opportunities, we’re likely to face situations that might present real or perceived conflicts of interest. Laws, regulations, professional codes of conduct, and company policies all take great care to ensure that those in positions of trust are held to account if they put self-interest ahead of their professional duties.
In this course, you’ll learn about some of your key professional obligations regarding conflicts of interest. You’ll also determine how to recognize situations that might pose conflicts of interest so that you can avoid them or deal with them effectively. You’ll consider how to decide whether a conflict of interest should be eliminated outright, or whether the party owed a duty might be better served by managing and mitigating the conflict of interest. And finally, you’ll review potential safeguards that can be used to properly manage and address conflicts of interest when they do arise.
Instructor Information: Brian Friedrich, LL.M, MEd, C.Dir, FCPA, FCGA Laura Friedrich, MSc, CIA, FCPA, FCGA.
Brian and Laura are the principals of Friedrich and Friedrich Corporation – professional research, standards, and education consultancy firm. They have over 20 years of experience conducting projects throughout North and South America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Their clients include the World Bank, global accounting bodies, post-secondary institutions, and international and government agencies.
Brian is a member of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) and CPA Canada's Public Trust Committee. He served on the board of CPA BC, and one of its legacy bodies, for 10 years including as chair during the merger. Brian also chaired the legacy organization’s Ethics and Discipline committees for a number of years, including as a tribunal chair. Outside the accounting profession, he is a director on the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver and a member of the Education Advisory Group for the Real Estate Council of BC.
Laura has served on numerous committees for her provincial accounting regulator, including the Ethics Committee and the Education Advisory Group. She currently serves on the CPA BC Bylaws Committee, in addition to the Audit Advisory Committee of the Public Guardian and Trustee of BC.