Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct

This passage outlines the commitment of members of the Global Association of Business & Management (GABM.us) to upholding high standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in all their activities. Members are committed to maintaining confidentiality, being transparent and honest, and using their skills to benefit their clients and the wider community. They recognize their professional obligations to their clients, colleagues, and those they supervise, and are accountable for their actions and behaviors. The GABM's Board of Directors has the right to discipline members who breach the Code of Ethics. Members pledge to adhere to the Code of Ethics, act with integrity and competence, and use their membership responsibly.

CODE OF ETHICS

  • Members should be aware of all relevant laws, regulations, and professional codes of ethics.
  • Members should stay up to date on professional knowledge relevant to their financial and business management practice.
  • Members should only accept assignments that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to complete competently.
  • If a member discovers they do not have the necessary knowledge or skills to complete an assignment competently, they should inform the client and help the client find a professional with the appropriate expertise.
  • Members should base their recommendations and advice to clients on thorough and diligent research and analysis, always acting in the best interests of the client.
  • Members should make sure they fully understand a client’s circumstances and needs in order to best serve the client’s interests.

INTEGRITY

  • It is the duty of all members to avoid actively supporting or ignoring any violations of relevant laws, regulations, and professional codes by a client, regardless of whether the actions were taken knowingly or unknowingly.
  • Members must be honest and accurate in their representation of their credentials, qualifications, and any other information shared with clients, prospects, or employers. Any attempt to mislead or provide false information is strictly prohibited.
  • As certified professionals, it is important for members to maintain their reputation and refrain from accepting any gifts, favors, or other benefits that could influence their actions against the best interests of their clients or in violation of this Code of Ethics. They must also be careful to avoid any conduct that could discredit their professional image.
  • Members are expected to uphold their obligations to comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and professional codes.
  • Members must assess their fiduciary duty of care to each client and fulfill this duty to the best of their ability.
  • To ensure that conflicts of interest are avoided, members must make a reasonable effort to identify and disclose any conflicts to clients. If necessary, members may seek legal advice or the advice of the Association and must take appropriate action to resolve the conflict.
  • Members must inform clients (or employers) of their obligation to adhere to this Code of Ethics and any other applicable codes. They must also charge fair and reasonable fees that are clearly agreed upon in writing before work begins, and must inform the client immediately if any additional financial benefit is received by the member during the course of the assignment.
  • Members must promote adherence to this Code among their colleagues.

OBJECTIVES

  • Members must take care to avoid any situation that could compromise their ability to act objectively and independently in the best interests of the client.
  • Members must provide clients with all relevant information that will allow them to understand when recommendations and advice are based on fact and when they are based on opinion, and understand the reasoning behind these recommendations and advice.

CONFIDENTIALITY

  • Members must respect the confidentiality of their client’s information and only disclose it if legally required by relevant laws and regulations or in the case of illegal activity.
  • Members must not exploit the confidential information of their clients for personal gain or to benefit any third party, other than the client.
  • Members should continuously seek to update their knowledge and skills in any areas of the profession in which they claim expertise.

SELF-DISCIPLINE

Members must recognize that the self-regulatory nature of their profession is a privilege, and they have a responsibility to maintain this privilege through their own ethical behavior. If a member witnesses unbecoming conduct by another member, they have a duty to report it to the Board.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR OTHERS

Members are responsible for ensuring that any certified members working on their behalf are familiar with and adhere to the relevant Code of Professional Conduct. They must also act in a way that preserves the reputation of the profession and its ability to serve the public interest, and avoid any actions that could compromise the quality of their professional advice. Additionally, members may not engage in business activities that undermine their professional status.

DUE CARE

A member has a duty to act with due care when providing professional services, putting the interests of the client first. This includes acting with integrity, objectivity, and independence. It is also important that a member does not create unrealistic expectations for the client.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Members of the Global Association of Business & Management (GABM.us) are expected to maintain a professional image and should not use any tactics to obtain a business that could harm the reputation of the Association or its members. This includes any activities related to business development.

COMPETENCE

As a member of the Global Association of Business & Management (GABM.us), it is important to only take on assignments that you are qualified and capable of completing. This means having the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the work effectively and to a high standard. Accepting assignments that you are not competent to handle can negatively impact both your own reputation and that of the Association. It is therefore essential to ensure that you have the necessary competencies before agreeing to take on any assignment.

INFORMED CLIENT

Before beginning any assignment, it is important for a member of the GABM to establish a clear understanding with the client about the goals, scope, and details of the work to be performed. This includes discussing the plan for completing the assignment, as well as any associated costs. Ensuring that there is a mutual understanding with the client at the outset of the assignment can help to ensure the smooth and successful completion of the work.

FEE ARRANGEMENT

As a member of the GABM, it is essential to establish clear and fair fee arrangements with clients before beginning any substantive work. This includes informing relevant parties if the fee arrangement could potentially impact the objectivity or independence of the member. It is also important to avoid entering into any fee arrangements that could compromise the integrity or quality of the services being provided. This helps to ensure that the member can perform their work with the highest level of professionalism and ethics.

CONFLICT

As a member of the GABM, it is important to be mindful of potential conflicts of interest when working with multiple clients. If you find yourself in a situation where you are acting simultaneously for two or more clients who may be in potential conflict, it is essential to inform all parties and obtain their agreement before proceeding. It is also important to disclose any interests that could potentially impact your professional judgment to your client. Additionally, you should not try to encourage an employee of a client to consider alternative employment without first discussing it with the client. These actions help to ensure that you maintain the highest level of professional integrity and avoid any conflicts of interest in your work.

CONFIDENTIALITY

As a member of the GABM, it is important to respect the confidentiality of client information at all times. This means keeping any information shared by clients private and not disclosing it to anyone outside of the client relationship unless specifically authorized to do so. Maintaining the confidentiality of client information helps to build trust and protect the professional reputation of both the member and the GABM.

OBJECTIVITY

As a member of the GABM, it is important to maintain your independence and objectivity when serving clients. This means avoiding any terms or conditions that could compromise your ability to provide unbiased and objective services. If you find yourself in a situation where your independence is being compromised, it is important to reserve the right to withdraw from the assignment in order to maintain the integrity of your work and the professional reputation of both yourself and the GABM.

LEGAL

As a member of the GABM, it is important to adhere to all relevant legislation and laws in your professional work. This means acting in a manner that is consistent with the legal requirements and guidelines that apply to your profession. Failing to follow the law can have serious consequences for both yourself and the association, so it is essential to be aware of and comply with all relevant legal requirements in your work.