Ethics, Rules of Conduct & Professionalism (Level 3) Flashcards
What is the central purpose of the RICS?
1) To maintain the highest standards of education and training
2) To protect consumers through strict regulation of professional standards
3) To be the leading source of information and independent advice on land, property, construction and associated environmental issues
What is the RICS?
UK based professional body for surveyors
Give a brief history of the RICS
1) Founded in London in 1868 by 49 surveyors as the institution of surveyors
2) Received royal charter as the Surveyors Institution in 1881 with the requirement of promoting the usefulness of the profession for the public advantage in the UK and globally
3) In 1930 it became the chartered surveyors institution
4) In 1946 they were granted the title royal and therefore in 1947 became the RICS
How is the RICS linked to other bodies?
They work in collaboration with other professional bodies such as RIBA, governments, central banks etc
How many RICS members are there? (roughly)
130,000
Who is the current president, president elect and senior vice president of RICS?
President - Clement Lau
President elect - Ann Gray
Senior vice president - Tina Pailette
What is the structure of the RICS?
What is the significance of the governing council?
They are the highest governing body
What do the RICS governing body do?
1) Sets global strategy and ensures RICS fulfils its Royal Charter obligation
2) Provides strategic oversight on requirements for entry into the profession and the setting and enforcement of professional standards
How is the governing council composed?
1) Chair of governing council
2) 6 Strategy seats (academia & education; capital markets and valuation; land; research and development; residential; urbanization and planning
3) 15 market seats (africa; asean; australiasia; brazil; canada; caribbean; china; europe x 22; hong long; india; middle east; UK & Ireland x 2; USA
4) RICS president, president elect and senior vice president
What does the audit committee do?
Monitors the integrity and effectiveness of RICS’ financial reporting, internal control and risk management systems, reviews anti-fraud measures and raising concerns policies and reviews the effectiveness of and recommends each year the appointment of the external auditor
Is the audit committee comprised of just RICS members?
No, it is also comprised of non-rics members?
What is the standards and regulation board responsible for?
Strategy, policy and operational oversight of the standards, entry and admission to the profession (through RICS education and qualification standards) and regulatory functions of RICS
What is the purpose of the management board?
Direct RICS affairs under delegated authority from governing council
Who is the management board comprised of?
Non members, RICS members and RICS executives
What is the rule 1 of RICS Rules of Conduct 2021?
Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their
professional obligations, including obligations to RICS.
What is the rule 2 of RICS Rules of Conduct 2021?
Members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure
that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary
expertise
What is the rule 3 of RICS Rules of Conduct 2021?
Members and firms must provide good-quality and diligent service.
What is the rule 4 of RICS Rules of Conduct 2021?
Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and
inclusion.
What is the rule 5 of RICS Rules of Conduct 2021?
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.
Give an example of when you have demonstrated rule 1 of RICS Rules of Conduct 2021
Give an example of when you have demonstrated rule 2 of RICS Rules of Conduct 2021
Give an example of when you have demonstrated rule 3 of RICS Rules of Conduct 2021
Give an example of when you have demonstrated rule 4 of RICS Rules of Conduct 2021
Give an example of when you have demonstrated rule 5 of RICS Rules of Conduct 2021
What obligations are mandatory to RICS members?
- Members must comply with the CPD requirements set by RICS.
- Members must cooperate with RICS.
- Members must promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the Standards and
Regulation Board, or those exercising delegated authority on its behalf.
What obligations are mandatory for RICS regulated firms?
- Firms must publish a complaints-handling procedure, which includes an alternative dispute
resolution provider approved by RICS, and maintain a complaints log. - Firms must ensure that all previous and current professional work is covered by adequate and
appropriate professional indemnity cover that meets the standards approved by RICS. - Firms with a sole principal must make appropriate arrangements for their professional work to continue in the event of their incapacity, death, absence from or inability to work.
- Firms must cooperate with RICS.
- Firms must promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the Standards and
Regulation Board, or those exercising delegated authority on its behalf. - Firms must display on their business literature, in accordance with RICS’ published policy on
designations, a designation to denote that they are regulated by RICS. - Firms must report to RICS any matter that they are required to report under the Rules for the
Registration of Firms.
What are the RICS ethical standards?
- Act with integrity
- Always provide a high standard of service
- Act in a way that promotes trust in the profession
- Treat others with respect
- Take responsibility
What does the first RICS ethical standard mean?
Be honest and straightforward in all that you do
What does the second RICS ethical standard mean?
Always ensure your client, or others to whom you have a professional responsibility, receive the best possible advice, support or performance of the terms of engagement you have agreed to. This standard includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors or actions
What does the third RICS ethical standard mean?
Act in a manner, both in your professional life and private life, to promote you, your firm or the organization you work for in a professional and positive way.
What does the fourth RICS ethical standard mean?
Treat everyone with courtesy, politeness and respect and consider cultural sensitivities and business practices
What does the fifth RICS ethical standard mean?
Be accountable for all your actions – don’t blame others if things go wrong, and if you suspect something isn’t right, be prepared to take action.
Give an example of when you demonstrated the first RICS ethical standard?
Give an example of when you demonstrated the second RICS ethical standard?
Give an example of when you demonstrated the third RICS ethical standard?
Give an example of when you demonstrated the fourth RICS ethical standard?
Give an example of when you demonstrated the fifth RICS ethical standard?
What is a conflict of interest?
a situation in which you acting for a client or other party in a professional assignment conflicts with a duty owed to another client or party in relation to the same or a related professional assignment
What is a own interest conflict?
a situation in which somebody acting for a client or party in a professional assignment conflicts with the interest of the same firm
What is a confidential information conflict?
What is an information barrier?
The physical or electronic separation of individuals within the same firm that prevents confidential information passing between them
What is informed consent?
What are some things regulated firms must do in relation to bribery and corruption?
1) Prepare a written policy covering anti-bribery and corruption
2) Have an appropriate governance and systems and controls in place
3) Have a register for gifts and hospitality etc
4) Appoint a person in the company that can be contacted to discuss these matters
5) Carry out due diligence on third party suppliers to ensure they are acting appropriately
What are some things RICS members should do in relation to anti-bribery and money laundering?
1) Declare gifts, hospitality etc to their employers
2) attend relevant training addressing these issues
3) be familiar and act in compliance with their employers policy
4) If in a senior management position, take a leadership role in attempting to ensure that their employer has an appropriate regime in place for addressing bribery and corruption
What should RICS regulated firms do in relation to money laundering and terrorist financing?
1) Have a written policy addressing these issues
2) have appropriate governance systems in place
3) provide appropriate training for staff
4) keep reports of suspicion of money laundering and terrorist financing and the firms system to counter these risks
In relation to money laundering and terrorist financing, what should RICS members do?
1) Keep up with training on the matter
2) Comply with their firms policy and processes relating to these matters
3) keep report of suspicious activity
Why must a Chartered Surveyor do CPD?
It ensures that we remain up to date with relevant legislation and any changes in the industry
Why must a Chartered Surveyor main solvent?
1) If we are not solvent then we are more at risk to taking bribes and not asking within the clients best interests
2) If we cant manage our own finances it does not reflect well on being able to manage our clients finance
What would you do if you were asked to do something unethical?
1) Speak to somebody more senior than me (line manager etc)
2) Whistle blow to the correct organization if required