Maintaining professional judgement when there is pressure to agree

This topic speaks directly to one of the realities of professional services: trainees want to provide good client service, maintain relationships and avoid unnecessary conflict

But excellent client service does not mean surrendering professional judgement.

A real developmental issue: objectivity under relational pressure

Trainees need to learn how to distinguish between:

• being helpful and being compliant
• trusting a client and accepting evidence uncritically
• respecting seniority and surrendering judgement
• maintaining a relationship and avoiding an uncomfortable conversation

SAICA competency connection

SAICA describes objectivity as not allowing bias, conflict of interest or undue influence to compromise professional judgement and specifically refers to applying professional scepticism rather than accepting client explanations at face value.

It also requires integrity, objectivity, competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behaviour.