Accountants deal with the intimate financial details of individuals and organizations. Some have the ability to execute million-dollar transactions, and others assist with safeguarding retirement funds of cab drivers and social workers.Ethical codes are the fundamental principles that accounting professionals choose to abide by to enhance their profession, maintain public trust, and demonstrate honesty and fairness. People who join organizations and secure the credentials to present themselves to the public as CPAs or IIAs strive to protect the reputation of the profession.