Personal Ethics as the last line of defence

Most ethical problems don’t start big — they start with small decisions we justify to ourselves. This session helps you recognise ethical risks early and make the right call before things go wrong.

2 CPD units January 20, 2026 1 presenter

What will set you apart

By completing this course you will gain the following competencies

What personal ethics really mean in daily professional life
How small ethical compromises turn into big professional risks
How pressure, deadlines, and clients affect ethical judgement
How to recognise ethical warning signs before damage is done
The difference between legal, ethical, and professional behaviour
How ethical failures can harm your career, practice, and reputation
How to make confident ethical decisions under pressure

Event breakdown

What personal ethics mean in a professional setting
Ethics versus compliance: why they are not the same
Common ethical pressure points in professional work
How small decisions create long-term consequences
Recognising ethical red flags early
Personal responsibility and professional judgement
Managing client and workplace pressure
Protecting your reputation and professional standing
Building ethical strength and consistency

Category: EthicsType: CPD CourseCPD category: Ethics

Description

Ethical problems rarely announce themselves. They usually show up as “quick fixes”, client pressure, or small shortcuts that seem harmless at the time. This session focuses on personal ethics and how individual behaviour directly affects professional credibility and trust. Delegates will explore how ethical decisions are influenced by stress, fear, incentives, and relationships, and why good people sometimes make bad choices. The session explains ethics in simple, practical terms, without theory or moral lectures. The focus is on real-life situations faced by accountants, bookkeepers, and finance professionals. By the end of the session, delegates will better understand their own ethical decision-making, recognise risk early, and feel more confident standing their ground when it matters most.

Presenters

Nicolene Smit — Nicolene Smit is an accounting professional, academic, and education strategist with experience across professional practice, higher education, and professional body leadership. She completed her accounting articles in 2015 before moving into academia in 2017, where she served as a lecturer, subject head, and programme coordinator in Accounting Sciences. Nicolene holds a Master's degree in Taxation, a BCom Honours degree in Financial Management, and is a Chartered Business Accountant in Practice (CBAP) with CIBA. Since joining CIBA as Education Manager in 2023, she has led initiatives in academic partnerships, professional designation development, competency frameworks, and the advancement of future-focused accounting education, including the integration of artificial intelligence into finance and accounting learning

You will earn a certificate

On successful completion you will receive a certificate for 2 CPD units in Ethics.

Requirements

Laptop, desktop, or mobile device with internet access
Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browser