Standards and Ethics

• IPREAMBLE

  Members of the International Association of Accredited Small Business Consultants (AASBC®) are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct. By maintaining certification and membership in good standing, advisors affirm their commitment to integrity, objectivity, accountability, and responsible advisory practice.

• IISTANDARDS OF ETHICS

  • A. Client Interest
    Members shall place the clients best interest at the forefront of every engagement. All advisory work must be conducted with integrity, objectivity, professionalism, and due diligence.
  • B. Avoidance of Conflict of Interests
    Members shall avoid engagements involving actual or potential conflicts of interest unless fully disclosed to and acknowledged by the client. If a conflict arises during an engagement, the member must promptly disclose the matter and take appropriate action, including withdrawal if necessary.
  • C. Confidentiality
    Members shall protect all confidential, proprietary, and privileged client information obtained in the course of an engagement. Such information may not be disclosed without appropriate authorization, except as required by law.
  • D. Discreditable Acts
    Members shall not engage in unethical, unlawful, or unprofessional conduct that could discredit the association or undermine public trust in its certification standards.
  • E. Reasonable Fees
    Members shall establish clear fee arrangements prior to the commencement of services and charge fees that are fair, transparent, and commensurate with the scope of work performed

• IIISTANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

  • A. Professional Competence
    Members shall accept only those engagements for which they possess the requisite knowledge, skill, and capacity to perform competently within agreed timeframes. If additional expertise is required, members must obtain appropriate education, research, or collaboration before accepting or continuing the engagement.
  • B. Due Professional Care
    Members shall perform all consulting engagements with diligence, attention to detail, sound professional judgment, and appropriate follow throug.
  • C. Understanding and Communication with Clients
    Members shall communicate clearly – in writing or verbally – the scope of services, the objectives, work plan, deliverables, responsibilities, and fee arrangements prior to and during the engagement.
  • D. Continuing Education
    Members shall maintain and enhance their professional confidence through ongoing education, training, and awareness of developments relative to small business and SME advisory practice.