Professional accountants are operating in a changed world and this report reveals that the number of professional accountants that cite AI use as the leading ethical challenge has dramatically increased since 2024.
Organisational culture, technological change, and rising expectations of transparency and accountability are reshaping the ethical landscape across sectors and markets. Drawing on 1,178 responses from finance and accountancy professionals across 135 countries, this research shows that the profession is responding with resilience and purpose – building on strong foundations as it adapts to changing circumstances. Against this backdrop, the report examines five key questions:
The evidence is clear that trust in the profession rests on qualities that have long defined professional accountancy at its best: strong ethical standards, transparency and independence. In our 2026 findings, these are the top three drivers of trust, and are brought to life by good governance, line managers, and colleagues within the organisation. This is a strong result for the profession. It shows that trust is based not only on technical competence – but also on the way professional accountants continually build and exercise judgement, uphold standards, and act in the public interest.
Yes – half of respondents (50%) say ethical challenges have become more difficult to resolve over the past three years. However, the good news is that 89% of professionals believe they have the skills to navigate such challenges – in part due to the continued relevance of the Code’s fundamental principles.
Yes and no. AI use has leapt to become the leading ethical challenge – cited by 61% of respondents (up from 32% in 2024). On the other hand, both ethical leadership (43%) and ethical culture (39%) remain in respondents’ top three (both 41% in 2024). More than half (53%) say they have witnessed unethical behaviour during that period, and around one in four (22%) report having been placed under pressure to act unethically. While 89% of professionals report being well-equipped to navigate ethical challenges, they also recognise the importance of ongoing ethical learning. This is particularly in the form of practical case studies and shared experiences of the fast-paced evolution, growing complexity, ever demanding context – and how to apply the fundamental principles.
The use of AI is now firmly part of the profession’s ethical landscape and ranks first in the top three ethical challenges reported by respondents – but the evidence supports a balanced and constructive reading.
Our survey shows that 72% say AI tools enhance the quality and efficiency of their work. Ethical challenges related to AI include: overreliance, verification, reduced human judgement, confidentiality, inadequate human oversight on AI outputs, transparency, unclear accountability, lack of appropriate governance, and weak organisational guardrails.
Enabling the effective implementation of the fundamental principles in practice has never been more important – and collective action is required to achieve this.
That means policymakers, standard setters, and organisations working together to support professionals, strengthen ethical cultures, reinforce ethical leadership, and shape an environment that encourages ethical behaviour.
Taken together, the evidence presents a profession that remains strongly grounded in ethics, trusted for its core qualities, and well placed to lead through change. The fundamental principles that underpin the accountancy profession are long established and remain its ethical anchor. Professional accountants continue to play a central role in fostering trust, accountability and sound decision-making through strong ethical standards, professional judgement, and a commitment to the public interest.
The challenge is applying our Ethical Code’s fundamental principles consistently where commercial demands, organisational culture, technological change, and public expectations increasingly intersect.
For ACCA, this creates a clear responsibility to continue building capacity for ethical decision-making. We achieve this through practical insights and guidance, contribution to ethical standards and policy development, and oversight of our members and students. In doing so, we help strengthen trust in the profession.
Resources to help you
This report includes useful resources to help members identify and respond to ethical challenges, including:
