This practical session equips professionals to use social media responsibly while protecting their careers, employers, and professional registration. Through real-world examples and ethical guidance, participants learn how online conduct can create legal, reputational, and disciplinary risks — and how to communicate professionally while maintaining compliance with the SAICA/IESBA Code of Ethics.
The course provides a structured understanding of professional responsibilities in the digital space. It begins by exploring how easily social media actions can damage reputations, breach confidentiality, and violate organisational policies or legislation such as POPIA. It then links online behaviour to the fundamental ethical principles in the SAICA/IESBA Code and concludes with practical, real-world guidance on what to post, what to avoid, and how to build a credible professional presence while staying compliant and safe online.
Key Topics Covered:
• Professional, legal and reputational risks of social media
• Personal vs professional boundaries on digital platforms
• POPIA considerations and employer liability
• SAICA/IESBA Code of Ethics applied to social media
• Integrity, objectivity and confidentiality online
• Ethical decision-making for posting and sharing
• Social media do’s and don’ts
• Managing controversial content and online conflict
• Trainee accountants and newly qualified professionals
• Audit, tax and advisory staff
• Managers, partners and directors with public profiles
• Compliance, HR and training teams
• Anyone representing a professional firm or brand online
