Professionalism, integrity and objectivity

Questions: In your understandings, what are professionalism, integrity

and objectivity? Why do these principles relate to the independence?

❖ Definition of “professionalism”
“Professionalism” is the combination of all the qualities that are
connected with trained and skilled people. It requires both knowledge of moral
principles and skills in applying them to problems and decisions.
For example: Due to professional care, auditors must balance and
navigate the financial statement as faithfully as possible in spite of the
difference between two side objectives by using knowledge of moral principles
and principles of integrity, and objectivity.
❖ Definition of “integrity”
“Integrity” is one of personal character, the quality of being honest or
standards of doing their job, and that person's determination not to lower
those standards.
For example: A company wants a nice financial statement but in reality
it is not pretty good. Auditors can do nothing but honestly deliver the truth, and
honor the public interest. Auditors must have high integrity so that people can
continue to believe in the services they provide.
❖ Definition of “objectivity”
“Objectivity” is the fact of being based on facts and not influenced by
personal beliefs or feelings or doing without biasing.
For example: Accounts payable clerk should be hired as an external
auditor. If auditors are hired from other departments, internal auditors might be
auditing their own past work, we can not be sure if they will be objective,
follow the policy, or ignore the previous mistakes of a friend. However, it does
not mean that automatically auditors from other departments can’t be
objective, but the possibility of risk would be considered.
❖ The relationship between these principles s and the independence
Independence consists of three principles: professionalism, integrity,
and objectivity. Since independence is an attitude and action in carrying out
an examination to be impartial to anyone and not influenced by anyone, it’s
similar to objectivity. In order to carefully undertake action, it requires skills
and a sense of responsibility, knowledge so professionalism is also linked to
independence. When the auditor has an independent state of mind, they must
have integrity in what they service so that people can continue to believe.