Perspectives
Ethics & integrity
At the core of all we do
DTTL and its member firms are committed to the highest levels of ethics, integrity and quality. This is evidenced by the member firms’ business practices and client service standards, their leadership behavior and shared values, and most importantly, by the quality of the people they employ. In fact, ethics, integrity and quality are at the core of all that DTTL’s member firms do.
Culture of Integrity
This orientation toward integrity and ethical behavior is an integral part of the culture at DTTL and its member firms. It’s embedded in the way they each make decisions, the way they take action, the way they treat their clients and in the way they treat each other.
DTTL and its member firms sustain this culture by providing an open and consultative environment that encourages their people to raise issues and discuss differences of opinion. In addition, DTTL’s member firms work hard to provide their people with the appropriate tools and guidance as they strive to make ethical decisions and take responsible action each day.
The appointment of DTTL’s Global Chief Ethics Officer will help DTTL and its member firms further sharpen their focus on ethics and integrity. Chuck Horstmann is a senior partner who has direct access to the DTTL CEO and Board of Directors. He is charged with motivating and sustaining ethical behavior throughout DTTL and its member firms and is working closely together with a global network of senior ethics officers from each member firm to put additional processes and infrastructure in place to reinforce this culture of integrity.
Ethical Principles
At the heart of this effort are the Ethical Principles of the Member Firms of DTTL. Adopted by each of DTTL’s member firms and linking directly to the DTTL Global Shared Values, these nine principles define the standards of ethical behavior that unite all the people of DTTL’s member firms. In particular, the principles offer guidance about appropriate ethical and professional conduct covering areas that are critically important to the member firms’ clients, their people and society.
| Ethical Principles of the Member Firms of DTTL | |
| Honesty and Integrity | We act with honesty and integrity. |
| Professional Behavior | We operate within the letter and the spirit of applicable laws. |
| Competence | We bring appropriate skills and capabilities to every client assignment. |
| Objectivity | We are objective in forming our professional opinions and the advice we give. |
| Confidentiality | We respect the confidentiality of information. |
| Fair Business Practices | We are committed to fair business practices. |
| Responsibility to Society | We recognize and respect the impact we have on the world around us. |
| Respect and Fair Treatment | We treat all our colleagues with respect, courtesy and fairness. |
| Accountability and Decision-Making | We lead by example, using our Shared Values as our foundation. |
The DTTL member firms’ Ethical Principles provide the foundation for their ethical behavior and they maintain these principles through their organization using a simple actionable framework (PDF).
Our Commitment
DTTL’s member firms have a vital role in sustaining the public’s trust and maintaining investor confidence. They take this role seriously and that is why they have made integrity and quality the cornerstones of their businesses.
DTTL assigns the greatest priority to demonstrating integrity and quality throughout the global organization and its member firms, regardless of the type of service our member firms provide or where they deliver it. DTTL fully understands that the public’s perception of its member firms’ clients can be influenced by its perception of DTTL, which makes us even more committed to instilling these principles in all we do. These characteristics are the foundation of DTTL’s distinctive brand and reputation, and we would never jeopardize either, for any member firm client, regardless of the circumstances.