You’re being pressured to do something you suspect is unethical. You’re not sure whether to start your own accounting practice. The job you’ve been offered pays more, but you’re worried it will take your career off course. At times like these, it can be hugely helpful to talk to someone who understands the context, and has, quite possibly, experienced similar challenges.

John Sexton FCA, owner of Sexton Business Builders Limited, has built up a network of helpful, local CAs from in and around his hometown of Masterton New Zealand. They’re ready to provide peer support whenever it’s needed.

“CA ANZ meetings and functions provide a great opportunity to get to know each other’s interests and specialisations,” he says. “Then, if there’s something you’d like to discuss, you have a good idea of who might be able to help.”

“What makes CA ANZ such a great resource is the range of help and guidance available to you,” says Bikram ‘Bik’ Ray FCA, managing director of ProAllied Australia, a specialised consultancy providing strategic procurement, commercial and probity services. “As a member, you don’t only have support from your peers, you can also approach experienced and diverse members through a Chartered Accountants Advisory Group [CAAG].”

Support from senior CAs

CAAGs are panels of senior CAs who offer their own time to support their fellow CA ANZ members. They can provide independent and confidential guidance and support across non-technical topics such as professional and ethical challenges.

“This is a great option when, for any reason, you can’t discuss your issue with your colleagues, management or senior leaders,” says Ray. “The fact that the setting is independent and strictly confidential is a major benefit if, for example, the problem lies in your workplace or relating to clients.”

As members of CAAG, both Sexton and Ray know that no one group can include experts in every area of the profession. However, they are well placed to direct you to someone with the right experience.

“Whether you need confirmation from a fresh pair of eyes or you’re dealing with a complex challenge, we can help you find the right person to talk to,” says Ray. “A liquidator is a good example of this. Say the third party has instructed them to do X, Y and Z but they’re really not sure whether this is the right course of action or how it should be carried out. That’s something that a CAAG member with a liquidation background would be best equipped to discuss.”

Getting the most from the conversation

If you’re the one seeking guidance, you should have all of the relevant facts and evidence to hand before you start your conversation.

“It may be tempting to cherry-pick information that presents you in the best light but it’s vital that you’re open and honest,” says Ray. “No-one can provide the support you’re hoping for if they only have half of the story.”

Being well prepared can also help to keep emotion out of the discussion.

“Talking about an experience or something else that’s worrying you can bring emotions into the conversation,” says Ray. “This could undermine the discussion, particularly as emotion can also affect your ability to absorb and evaluate information. The best way to get the support you need is to leave your emotions at the door. Don’t rush into solution mode and try to find the right answer straight away. Take the time to gather your thoughts and understand what you’d like to achieve from your interaction with a CAAG member, then calmly consider the scenario and put it into perspective.”
Sexton recommends writing down everything you want to talk about, even if that’s just as a list of bullet points.

“Writing helps you to put your thoughts in order,” he says. “As you do, you might see that there’s more to the problem than you realised. It might be more complex or have its roots in something that happened further back than you thought.”

Providing guidance

Sexton has found that, when you’re the one providing guidance, you can’t be sure where a conversation will lead.

“You might find that the real issue is buried beneath the one you expected,” he says. “As a result, you might not have the appropriate skill set after all. It’s important to recognise that, then call on your own networks to find someone more suitable.”

From the outset, your most powerful tools are empathy and respect.

“You also need to be an active listener, absorbing and considering all of the information presented to you,” says Ray. “Be willing to ask questions that will deepen your understanding and keep an open mind. The person is trusting you, so don’t be judgemental about what they’re sharing.”

If someone admitted to Sexton that they had behaved unethically or illegally, he would urge them to self-report, where appropriate. “It’s far better for the member if they put their hand up first. I would then continue to offer my support through the process that follows,” he says.

“When, as the CAAG member you hear that something serious has taken place, you might have a responsibility to share that with CA ANZ or another regulator,” he says.

In Australia, since the Tax Agent Services (Code of Professional Conduct) Determination 2024, there is a special provision for tax practitioners. If a material statement you prepared is false, incorrect or misleading, you must discuss it with your client and encourage them to correct it. If they refuse and the situation meets certain legal thresholds, you may be required to notify the Board or Commissioner (as the case requires).

This could place you in a difficult position, struggling to balance your responsibilities to your clients with your legal and ethical obligations. That’s one more example of when informed support might be very welcome.

Whether you want a sounding board for a challenging professional or ethical situation, or to discuss your next career move, your CA designation entitles you to all the free professional support, expertise and collective knowledge you may need to help you address the situation.

Need help?

The CA Advisory Group provides counselling and support for chartered accountants facing ethical dilemmas or weighing career decisions. Local panels of experienced CAs offer guidance for fellow members, and can provide you with advice and support on a range of professional and ethical matters.

The CA Advisory Group service is free and all discussions are strictly confidential.

Call: 1300 137 322 (Australia) or 0800 4 69422 (New Zealand) and ask for a CAAG referral.