(c) insider dealing. (5 marks)

Question

(c) insider dealing. (5 marks)

Answer 1

正确答案：
(c) Insider dealing
Explanation of term
Insider dealing means using ‘inside information’ (i.e. price-sensitive information relating to the issuer of securities) to gain
advantage when ‘dealing’ (i.e. acquiring or disposing) in securities.
Ethical risks
Insider dealing is a potential area of conflict and contention for accountants in industry and commerce (i.e. employed
professional accountants) in particular (because of their exposure to price-sensitive information).
Acts of insider dealing contravene the fundamental principles of integrity and confidentiality:
■ integrity – a professional accountant should be honest;
■ confidentiality – a professional accountant should respect the confidentiality of information acquired during the course
of performing professional services and should not use or disclose it without proper and specific authority.
Professional accountants in public practice who become privy to price-sensitive information will similarly be in breach of their
duties of integrity and confidentiality if they get involved in insider dealing. Also, the reputation of individual practitioners and
their firms may be put at risk by allegations of insider dealing even though they have no involvement with the practice. For
example, if an auditor does not detect when an entity’s management is involved in insider dealing.
Sufficiency of current ethical guidance
Relevant current ethical guidance, that is covered by the principles of integrity and confidentiality, is sufficient to explain the
ethical risks of insider dealing but cannot prevent its practice. Even where there are laws to prosecute insider dealing,
penalties (such as seven years in jail and/or unlimited fines) have been ineffective in combating insider dealing.