Common Causes of Investigation

The IPA requires members to conduct themselves and their professional activities at the highest level of professionalism. Many complaints or related investigations may be avoided or mitigated if members are aware of their professional and ethical requirements and common issues that may give rise to such matters.

Some common issues giving rise to complaints and investigations against members include a failure to:

• Provide services to clients in a competent professional manner in accordance with applicable technical and professional standards, and laws and regulations.
  Click here for the IPA’s Rules and Standards.
• Hold an IPA Professional Practice Certificate, or comply with related requirements (e.g. completion of the practice program, obtain adequate Professional Indemnity insurance).
  Visit these pages for information on Professional Practice Certificates.
  Click here for information professional indemnity insurance through IPA Insure.
• Respond to IPA correspondence as requested.
• Notify the IPA where the member has become bankrupt or insolvent under administration, or incurred a criminal conviction.
• Attend to client’s tax affairs or respond to client correspondence in a timely manner.
• Respond to ethical letters and/or provide documents to the client’s new accountant.
• Document and communicate the terms of engagement to the client. 
• Maintain the member’s trust account in accordance with relevant requirements.
• Comply with the requirements of legislation administered by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) which resulted in enforcement action.
  Click here for a link to the ASIC website which contains information on legislation administered by ASIC.
• Comply with the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 as a registered tax agent or BAS agent which resulted in the imposition of an administrative sanction or penalty by the Tax Practitioners Board.
  Click here for a link to the Tax Practitioners Board website which contains information on obligations of registered tax agents and BAS agents.