Affective professional commitment and accounting ethics principles: examining the mediating role of the code of ethics

Abstract

Accounting ethics emerged as a significant socio-economic issue due to the recent frauds that eroded the public trust in financial statements and in accountants who prepare them. Therefore, ethical behaviour in business must be indorsed. This article examines the effect of affective professional commitment of accountants on their perception of importance of accounting ethics principles application with the mediation of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants by ISEBA. As in other vocations, some professional accountants have an innate sense of morality but the others should be advised to consult the Code of Ethics. This explains the direct and indirect (with the Code of Ethics as the mediator) relationship between affective professional commitment and the accounting ethics principles application. According to our findings, accountants with higher levels of affective professional commitment are more likely to perceive the importance of accounting ethics principles. Application of the five fundamental accounting ethics principles (integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behaviour) should be promoted while consulting the Code of Ethics should be supported in order to decrease unethical behaviour of the professional accountants.