The Member, while working in industry, stored and accessed numerous personal files on the work computer of their employer, which contained information about the Member’s personal accounting clients. The personal and confidential information of the Member’s clients were accessed by their employer after the Member was terminated by the employer.
During the investigation, the Member provided a resume which misstated the Member’s work history and provided misleading information. The Member failed to maintain the reputation of the profession co-mingling their work and personal files and was not candid with the investigator or the Committee during the investigation.
The Investigation Committee determined the Member contravened the CPABC and CGA-BC Codes of Professional Conduct as follows:
CPABC Code of Professional Conduct
104.1 – Requirement to co-operate
201.1 – Maintenance of the good reputation of the profession
202. – Integrity and due care
205 (b) – False or misleading documents and oral statements
CGA Code of Professional Conduct
2nd Ethical Principle - Trust and Duties
6th Ethical Principle - Responsibilities to the Profession
The Committee recommended the Member:
Accept a reprimand
Pay expenses of $4,273 plus GST; and
Attend the seminar Shades of Grey: Ethics in the Work Place.