Ethics Flashcards
HAP statement
What is the first rule of conduct?
Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their professional obligations.
What specific behaviour relates to RICS members and being influenced?
**1.2 **
do not allow themselves to be influenced improperly by others (eg work referrals, gifts, hospitality or payments),
.or by their own self interest.
What ROC behaviours relates to COI?
1.3 and 1.4
1.3 Members… identify actual and potential conflicts of interest throughout a professional
assignment and do not provide advice or services where a COI or a significant risk of
one arises, unless they do so in accordance with the current edition of Conflicts of interest, RICS
professional statement.
1.4 Firms have effective processes to identify actual and potential conflicts of interest, to enable
appropriate decisions to be made on whether to accept work, and to keep records of decisions made
about actual and potential conflicts of interest
What ROC behaviours relate to handling client money ?
1.10 Firms keep client money safe and have appropriate accounting controls
1.11 Members **do not misuse client money **and comply with controls intended to keep it safe.
1.12 Members and firms do not facilitate any financial crime including money laundering, tax
evasion, bribery or corruption. Firms have **effective processes to prevent **directors, partners or
employees from doing so
HAP
In detail, what areas does the first rule of conduct cover?
HAC
1. Honesty - Not misleading; Provide honest advice on reliable evidence ; Transparent about fees and services
2. ACT with Integrity - Not being influenced by others / own interest; Aware of COI and processes to manage these
3. COMPLY with Professional Obligations - Protect confidential information and only use it where there is consent; Keep client money safe and have appropriate controls
What does the Equality Act cover?
The Equality Act 2010 is a law which protects you from discrimination. It means that discrimination or unfair treatment on the basis of certain personal characteristics, such as age, is now against the law in almost all cases.
The Equality Act applies to discrimination based on:
Age
Race
Sex
Gender reassignment
Disability
Religion or belief
Sexual orientation
Marriage or civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
What standard relates to handling client money?
Professional standard - Client money handling 1st Edition 2019. Re-issued Oct 2022.
objectives
What is the summary objectives to PS Client Money Handling?
KEEP SAFE; ACCOUNTS USED for appropriate purposes; APPROPRIATE CONTROLS
1. client money is kept safe
2. client money accounts are used for appropriate purposes only and
3. RICS-regulated firms have the **appropriate controls and procedures **to safeguard client money.
p.8 PS client money handling
What rule of conduct relates to client money handling?
Rule 1 HAC Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their professional obligations, including obligations to RICS
Example behaviours 1.10-1.12 **how to keep client money safe **
Appropriate controls and processes
Do not misuse
Do not facilitate financial crime
What should regulated firms do with client money in addition to following PS Client Money?
RICS firms must register with appropriate scheme either
1. RICS Client Money Protection Scheme for Surveying Services **or **
2. RICS Client Money Protection Scheme for Property Agents
Scheme of last resort
What six steps should RICS firms do under PS client money handling?
- Holding client money (eg CLIENT in title)
- Provide information to clients (eg details of account, firms written procedures)
- Receipts of client money (eg prompt payment ; account for interest)
- Payments of client money (eg use for only client matters; use when fees are due)
- Accounting controls and records (eg keep records, systems in accordance with client instructions)
- Compliance (eg with anti bribery, corruption legislation)
p.8 PS client money handlingp.13
What five steps should RICS members do under PS client money handling?
- ensure compliance with all anti-money laundering legislation, rules and regulations for all receipts of client money
- ensure compliance with the mandatory requirements of the latest edition of RICS’ Countering bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing
- follow all procedures for handling client money at the firm where they work
- not override any controls in place to protect client money
- make appropriate disclosures to a senior member of the firm or a regulator immediately if they become aware of any risk of or actual misappropriation of client money and to keep a written record of that disclosure.
P.13 PS Client handling
What professional statement relates to bribery ?
PS Countering bribery,
corruption, money laundering
and terrorist financing. Feb 2019
3/2
What should RICS members must do under PS countering:-
bribery, corruption,
money laundering and terrorist financing?
Bribery & Corruption
1. Do not accept anything that could constitute a bribe
2. Have adequate knowledge of bribery & corruption to comply with standard
3. **Report any activity that breaches laws, where no legislation in place, report to senior manager**
Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing
1.** do not facilitate** money laundering
2. Report any suspicions to relevant authorities
p.15 PS countering bribery etc
What FIVE STEPS should RICS firms do under PS countering:-
bribery, corruption, ?
1.** not offer or accept, directly or indirectly, anything that could constitute a bribe
2. have plans in place to comply with applicable laws governing bribery and corruption, and ensure that these are followed
3. report any activity **they are aware of that breaches anti-bribery and corruption laws to the
relevant authorities (as specified in local legislation);
4. **act with due diligence to perform periodic written evaluations of the risks that face the
firm and that may lead to the facilitation of bribery or corruption;
5. retain information detailing how the firm has met the requirements of this professional
standard.**