The President and Chairman of the Council of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Mr Samuel Agbeluyi, has called on the newly licensed tax practitioners to comply with ethics whilst carrying out their duties.
Agbeluyi made the call during the presentation of practising licence certificates in Lagos State, according to The Punch.
He said, “I urge all of you to consistently demonstrate the highest levels of ethical standards and professionalism expected of licensed tax practitioners. It is important to remember that your actions going forward have a significant impact, not only on your practice but also on the profession and the institute as a whole.
“It speaks volumes to the relevance that Council of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria accord in ensuring that only qualified and certified persons practice taxation in the country.”
The institute expects practitioners to refer always to the provisions of its charter, professional rules and practice guidelines and the statement of taxation standards, according to Agbeluyi.
He noted that the institute’s core values, which have been redefined as service, teamwork, excellence and professionalism, were also to be held in high regard by tax practitioners.
“I implore you, therefore, to strictly adhere to these guidelines and principles at all times in the course of your practice.
The institute will not fail to wield the big stick of discipline where there are reported and established cases of misconduct by practitioners. Our Investigating Panel and Disciplinary Tribunal are equipped and active to dispense such matters,” he warned.
He urged recently qualified tax professionals to align themselves with the developments in global taxation and best practices.
In addition, he said “As tax professionals, it is essential for us to consistently enhance our knowledge to address the evolving demands of taxation.”
Agbeluyi pointed out that members should be informed of the institute’s efforts to enhance its certification value.
“A recent circular from the FIRS requires tax computations in returns to be prepared only by CITN-licensed practitioners. The council is actively working to ensure compliance with this requirement,” he stated.
The CITN President stressed that in order to increase revenue generation and prevent leakages, it was essential for tax professionals to play a leading role within the ministries, agencies or departments.
