Professional conduct and professional misconduct: A framework and its application to the accounting profession

Abstract

Recently there has been increased attention paid to the behaviour of those who call themselves professionals. The idea of ‘acceptable professional conduct’ incorporates the expectations of a number of groups affected by the activities of professionals. The framework of professional behaviour considered acceptable at a point in time is an equilibrium among these groups' expectations. This paper argues that shifts in the expectations of any of these groups will disturb this equilibrium. This process of disequilibrium and change leads to altered views of professional behaviour. Professional misconduct or unprofessional behaviour, that is, the failure to meet expectations, is inherent in the underlying framework of a profession.