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Professional Conduct Committee
Overview: The Professional Conduct Committee investigates complaints received about Institute members, students, professional corporations and firms and other matters drawn to its attention that indicate a violation of the Institute's rules of professional conduct, regulations or bylaws. The Committee also provides advice on questions concerning the ethical propriety of, or the application of the rules of professional conduct to, specific situations or proposed courses of action.
Composition: The Committee comprises 27 volunteers (23 CAs and four public representatives) appointed by Council each June, and aims to be representative of the membership occupationally and geographically.
Committee members are appointed for an initial term of one year, with and are eligible for re-appointment to additional terms of three years.
Meetings: The Committee year begins with an orientation session for new members in August and runs from September to the following August. The Committee meets in two halves, with each half (or “Division”) meeting once every other month. Meeting materials are circulated well in advance of each meeting.
Complaints Process: When a complaint is received, Institute staff obtains full details and supporting documents from each of the complainant and the member involved (the “responding member”). Information provided by either party may be shared with the other to ensure that full details are obtained.
Correspondence and other data received from the complainant and the responding member, together with a report summarizing the pertinent details, are forwarded to a subcommittee of the Committee for review and the formulation of a recommendation. Where the subcommittee finds it necessary to obtain further information, they may request the responding member to attend an informal subcommittee meeting or recommend that the responding member attend a formal Committee meeting to answer questions.
Where the complaint is complex, the Committee may appoint an investigator to obtain more detailed information and documents, including statements from individuals. The investigator will prepare a report to the Committee. This is reviewed by the same Division who will determine whether to close the file, provide guidance to the responding member, or formally charge the responding member with professional misconduct. Usually, the responding member will also attend this meeting to answer direct questions from Committee members based on the findings in the investigator’s report.
Committee Expenses: The Institute reimburses Committee members for travel expenses and mileage incurred on Committee business.
How to Apply: If you are interested in becoming a member of this Committee, please fill out this application form. Committee membership is open to all senior members (10 yrs or more experience as a CA) of the profession whether in public practice, industry or government. Unless applicants indicate otherwise, resumes will be kept on file for two years for use in later Committee years. Only those applicants short-listed for Committee membership in the current year will be contacted.