Professional ideals;

              HASKINS & S E L LS
C E R T I F I E D P U B L I C A C C O U N T A N T S
NEW YORK
CHICAGO
DETROIT
ST. LOUIS
BOSTON
CLEVELAND
BALTIMORE
PITTSBURGH
SAN FRANCISCO
LOS ANGELES
SEATTLE
DENVER
ATLANTA
WATERTOWN
LONDON
BULLETIN V O L . I I NEW YORK, JANUARY 15, 1919 No. 1
Professional Ideals
A N ideal is something which is conceived
as a standard of excellence. A pro­fession
is an occupation which consists in
the rendering of personal and confidential
service. A professional ideal may be re­garded
as that excellence of attainment in
the rendering of such service, for which
the high-minded professional man con­stantly
strives.
A profession differs from a business in
that it measures success in terms of service
rather than terms of money or profit. The
true professional man asks the question,
"Is it ethical?" not "Is it profitable?"
Accountancy is a profession. It deals
with the accounts and accountings of those
who are in need of information or advice
with regard thereto. The relation be­tween
the client and the professional ac­countant
is a confidential one. It is that
very thing which makes the accountant a
professional man. It is that which makes
accountancy a profession.
Modern organization has made it pos­sible
to render professional accounting
service on a large scale. The increasing
demand for the services of the accountant
has attracted large numbers of persons to
the profession. The accountant is well
compensated for his services. All these
things have a tendency to cloud the light
of professional ideals.
No form of organization, demand for
services, or attractive rates should obscure
the fact that the service performed is a
personal one and that the engagement
establishes a relation wherein the account­ant
is entrusted with the confidence of his
client.
The accountant who discloses informa­tion
concerning the affairs of his client,
except at the request or with the consent
of the latter, is false to his trust. The
discreet accountant is careful not even to
discuss matters relating to his client except
in a professional capacity.
In the practice of the profession a busi­ness
organization may be necessary in
order to execute the engagements. A large
number of persons may for such purpose
be required. Some may appear to have
greater opportunity to display a conscious­ness
of the confidential relation than
others. Such aspect is more apparent than
real. The principle and practice of carry­ing
out the trust relation should extend to
every member of the organization, office
as well as staff.
"Service to the community" is a phrase
which has become hackneyed. Service to
mankind without compensation is entirely
visionary. Compensation without service is
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