Ethics, rules of conduct and professionalism Flashcards
What are the 5 Global Professional and Ethical Standards
Rules of conduct 2021
5 rules for members and firms
1. Honest, act with integrity
2. Competent
3. Services
4. Treat others with respect
5. Responsibility
- Not influenced by others and being transparent with clients about services and fees
- only undertaking work where a member has the relevant knowledge, skills
- Understanding clients needs and objectives before accepting work and communicating clearly with clients
- Respecting others and developing an inclusive workplace
5.Responding to complaints promptly, openly and professionally.
What does the RICS Professional Statement on countering bribery, money laundering and terrorist financing 1st edition 2019
Sets out requirements on countering bribery, money laundering and terrorist financing for members and firms
Professional standard applies to alll members and RICS regulated firms
Divided into 3 parts:
-Sets out mandatory requirements for anti-bribery…
-Guidance setting out good practice in each of the eareas
-Supplementary guidance on key concepts
If asked to explain then expand that you should not accept bribes
Must not be complicit in ML and TF
Expand upon the 3 parts within the RICS Professional Statement on countering bribery, money laundering and terrorist financing 1st edition 2019
- Bribery
-RICS regulated firms must.. not offer or accept anything that could constitute in a bribe
_members must - declare certain items to their employer ie gifts
Money laundering and terrorist financing
- RICS regulated firms must verify identity of client through ID checks
-Members must - comply with employers policy and process relating to money laundering and terrorist financing
You mention gifts, bribery and corruption. What act do you adhere to
Bribery Act 2010
What do you know about the bribery Act 2010?
Aim= to reduce bribery in business
There are 6 principles
1. Proportionality
2.Top level commitment
3. Risk assessment
4. Due diligence
5. Communication
6. Monitoring and reviewing
What is the definition of a bribe
offering or receiving a gift payment or service for an action which is illegal or a breach of trust
What would be considered a bribe in a work environment and what policies must a company have in place?
-Certain forms of corporate entertainment
BUT lunches, coffee, sports tickets can be considered proportionate hospitality.
-This must be recorded in a gifts register
-Companies must have policies on bribery and staff training
You mention getting your architect to sign an NDA, what is an NDA and why would you do this?
An NDA creates a legal framework to protect ideas and information from being stolen or shared with competitors
What are the parts of an NDA agreement?
- Identification of parties
-Time frame
-if breach, can seek legal action. Financial penalties
What is the RICS decision tree
Relates to rules of conduct and provides a decision making framework
Not in line with RICS rules of conduct
How would you undertake anti-money laundering checks?
-undertake AML checks to confirm identity and legitimacy of purchaser
-check source of funds
-ID check (passport) of directors
-As a company, i gained company name, number address of registered office
-check source of funds
Why did you get your architect to sign an NDA at Prescot
-legal framework to protect ideas and information from being stolen or shared with competitors
-as we were in direct competition with Aldi on the site
Why did you accept a torch as a gift?
-proportionate hospitality
-logged on gifts register
Why did you not disclose information on tender bids at Skelmersdale
-as this was confidential information as part of a tender and not ethical to share
Why did you undertake a financial check at Moreton ahead of exchange
to assess their financial strength
Why do you want to become a chartered surveyor
I want to be recognised as a member of one of the most respected and high profile organisations
-I want people to respect and trust the advice I provide to them
-I would benefit from access to over 100,000 professionals worldwide
-Knowledge and sharing through CPD
Please expand upon 1 of the 5 Global Professional and Ethical Standards and how you uphold this in day-to-day
-Service
I provide a good quality service to my client Lidl through meeting deadlines, regular meetings and managing expectations
Who is the president of the RICS
Ann Gray
Who is the CEO
Richard Collins
When was RICS founded
1868
What does RICS stand for
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
What does CPD stand for
Continuing Professional Development
What is an internal valuation
Not to be relied upon for third parties
What are Anti Money Laundering Checks
AML checks must be undertaken to confirm identity of proposed purchaser and check source of funds of a business partner
What would you do if a client dropped £15k off in cash
-In line with Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 amended 2019
- If over 10,000 euros, reject
-Senior member must be appointed to take responsibility for compliance
-Money Laundering Reporting Officer must be nominated and report any suspicions to the National Crime Agency
What legislation is in place for money laundering
Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 , amended 2017
Why are the ethical standards so important
Confidence in the profession
Give examples of how you reflect the RICS ethical standards in your work
- Honest, act with integrity - Skelmersdale did not disclose tender as this was confidential information as part of a tender and not ethical to share. I acted with integrity as I was not influenced by others
- Competent - referring clients to specialists when scope is outside competence at Moreton I utilised planning consultants, highways consultants to issue thoughts on associated items in project
- Services - Earlsfield I provide a good quality service to my client Lidl through meeting deadlines, regular meetings and managing expectations. This enabled me to get Board Approval
- Treat others with respect - being part of a team and treating everyone equally. Our property secretary is a wheelchair uses and I do not treat her any different.
- Responsibility - At Wrexham I questioning unsafe working on site, reported to Line Manager, resulted in site closure
What are the key functions of the RICS
-The purpose of the RICS is to set the standards globally in the surveying industry.
-Members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession.
What is the RICS decision tree?
-Questions to go through when faced with a situation where a member could be asked to act in a potentially unethical manner
-considers legality of actions and consistency of rules of conduct
-Test = would members be content to have their decisions and actions made public
-The RICS Regulation Confidential Hotline offers assistance to members with ethical issues
What bribery legislation are you aware of
-Bribery Act 2010
- If pushed for a second - RICS Professional Statement on countering bribery, money laundering and terrorist financing 1st edition 2019
What money laundering regulations or legislation are you aware of?
-The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019 effective
What transactions do AML regulations relate to?
to all cash and monetary transactions
If it was a business – how would you undertake the necessary AML checks / who would you take them out on?
A= The beneficial owner of the property – would discuss with appointed officer at this stage.
Further info:
-if a private limited company
-Certificate of incorporation
-Company name
-Registered number
-Business adress
-office
-name of all directors and shareholders with 25% or more holding
What does your company have in place in relation to AML
-staff training
-verify client through ID checks
-my line manager is the nominated money laundering reporting officer appointed to report suspicious activity to the National Crime Agency
-retain records (5 years) to show how firm has complied with professional statement
What is professional indemnity insurance?
- a policy designed to protect against claims for financial loss or damage
-protect clients, surveyors and third parties against negligence claims where a duty of care breached and a claim for damages rises.
What are the requirements in relation to PII
Minimum requirements
Firms TO 100k or less =minimum level of indemnity required is £250k
Firms TO 100k to 200k = minimum level of indemnity is 500k
200k and over = minimum level of indemnity is 1m
What is your company’s complaint handling procedure
-write formally
-complaint goes to complaint handling officer (nominated person) at Lidl HO who will investigate and reply within 7 days
-21 days to action complaint
-If the person complaining is not satisfied with this, they can refer this to OMBUSDMAN
What is money laundering
The act of attempting to wash illegal money into legality through business
What is your firms gift policy
All gifts are recorded on gifts register
Any gift over £20 needs to be approved internally
What were your takeaways on the elearning
-The Professional Ethics Course for RICS Members
-Understanding rules of conduct
-understanding conflicts of interest, anti-bribery