The Cost Accountants Act, 1959

1[THE FIRST SCHEDULE

[See sections 21 (3), 21A(3) and 22]

PART I

Professional misconduct in relation to cost accountants in practice

A cost accountant in practice shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct, if he—

(1) allows any person to practice in his name as a cost accountant unless such person is also a cost

accountant in practice and is in partnership with or employed by him;

(2) pays or allows or agrees to pay or allow, directly or indirectly, any share, commission or

brokerage in the fees or profits of his professional business, to any person other than a member of the

Institute or a partner or a retired partner or the legal representative of a deceased partner, or a member of

any other professional body or with such other persons having such qualifications as may be prescribed,

for the purpose of rendering such professional services from time to time in or outside India.

Explanation.—In this item, “partner” includes a person residing outside India with whom a cost

accountant in practice has entered into partnership which is not in contravention of item (4) of this Part;

(3) accepts or agrees to accept any part of the profits of the professional work of a person who is not a

member of the Institute:

Provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting a member from entering into

profit sharing or other similar arrangements, including receiving any share, commission or brokerage in

the fees, with a member of such professional body or other person having qualifications, as is referred to

in item (2) of this Part;

(4) enters into partnership, in or outside India, with any person other than a cost accountant in practice

or such other person who is a member of any other professional body having such qualifications as may

be prescribed, including a resident who but for his residence abroad would be entitled to be registered as a

member under clause (iv) of sub-section (1) of section 4 or whose qualifications are recognised by the

Central Government or the Council for the purpose of permitting such partnerships;

(5) secures, either through the services of a person who is not an employee of such cost accountant or

who is not his partner or by means which are not open to a cost accountant, any professional business:

Provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting any arrangement permitted in

terms of items (2), (3) and (4) of this Part;

(6) solicits clients or professional work, either directly or indirectly, by circular, advertisement,

personal communication or interview or by any other means:

Provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as preventing or prohibiting—

(i) any cost accountant from applying or requesting for or inviting or securing professional work

from another cost accountant in practice; or

(ii) a member from responding to tenders or enquiries issued by various users of professional

services or organisations from time to time and securing professional work as a consequence;

(7) advertises his professional attainments or services, or uses any designation or expressions other

than cost accountant on professional documents, visiting cards, letter heads or sign boards, unless it be a

degree of a University established by law in India or recognised by the Central Government or a title

indicating membership of the
2[Institute of Cost Accountants of India] or of any other institution that has

been recognised by the Central Government or may be recognised by the Council:

Provided that a member in practice may advertise through a write up, setting out the services provided

by him or his firm and particulars of his firm subject to such guidelines as may be issued by the Council;

1. Subs. by Act 7 of 2006, s. 32, for the First Schedule (w.e.f. 17-11-2009).

2. Subs. by Act 10 of 2012, s. 8, for “Institute of Cost Accountants of India” (w.e.f. 17-11-2006).

(8) accepts a position as cost accountant previously held by another cost accountant in practice

without first communicating with him in writing;

(9) charges or offers to charge, accepts or offers to accept in respect of any professional employment,

fees which are based on a percentage of profits or which are contingent upon the findings or results of

such employment, except as permitted under any regulation made under this Act;

(10) engages in any business or occupation other than the profession of cost accountant unless

permitted by the Council so to engage:

Provided that nothing contained herein shall disentitle a cost accountant from being a director of a

company (not being a managing director or a whole time director) unless he or any of his partners is

interested in such company as accountant;

(11) allows a person not being a member of the Institute in practice, or a member not being his

partner to sign on his behalf or on behalf of his firm, any cost or pricing statements or any other

statements relating thereto.

PART II

Professional misconduct in relation to members of the Institute in service

A member of the Institute (other than a member in practice) shall be deemed to be guilty of

professional misconduct, if he being an employee of any company, firm or person—

(1) pays or allows or agrees to pay, directly or indirectly, to any person any share in the emoluments

of the employment undertaken by him;

(2) accepts or agrees to accept any part of fees, profit or gains from a lawyer, a cost accountant or

broker engaged by such company, firm or person or agent or customer of such company, firm or person

by way of commission or gratification.

PART III

Professional misconduct in relation to members of the Institute generally

A member of the Institute, whether in practice or not, shall be deemed to be guilty of professional

misconduct, if he—

(1) not being a fellow of the Institute acts as a fellow of the Institute;

(2) does not supply the information called for, or does not comply with the requirements asked for by

the Institute, Council or any of its Committees, Director (Discipline), Board of Discipline, Disciplinary

Committee, Quality Review Board or the Appellate Authority;

(3) while inviting professional work from another cost accountant or while responding to tenders or

enquiries or while advertising through a write up, or anything as provided for in items (6) and (7) of Part I

of this Schedule, gives information knowing it to be false.

PART IV

Other misconduct in relation to members of the Institute generally

A member of the Institute, whether in practice or not, shall be deemed to be guilty of other

misconduct, if—

(1) he is held guilty by any civil or criminal court for an offence which is punishable with

imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months;

(2) in the opinion of the Council he brings disrepute to the profession or the Institute as a result of his

action whether or not related to his professional work.

THE SECOND SCHEDULE

[See sections 21 (3), 21B (3) and 22]

PART I

Professional misconduct in relation to cost accountants in practice

A cost accountant in practice shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct, if he—

(1) discloses information acquired in the course of his professional engagement to any person other

than his client so engaging him, without the consent of his client, or otherwise than as required by any law

for the time being in force;

(2) certifies or submits in his name, or in the name of his firm, a report of an examination of cost

accounting and related statements unless the examination of such statements has been made by him or by

a partner or an employee in his firm or by another cost accountant in practice;

(3) permits his name or the name of his firm to be used in connection with an estimate of cost or

earnings contingent upon future transactions in a manner which may lead to the belief that he vouches for

the accuracy of the forecast;

(4) expresses his opinion on cost or pricing statements of any business or enterprise in which he, his

firm or a partner in his firm has a substantial interest;

(5) fails to disclose a material fact known to him in a cost or pricing statement, which is not disclosed

in a cost or pricing statement but disclosure of which is necessary in making such statement where he is

concerned with such statement in a professional capacity;

(6) fails to report a material mis-statement known to him to appear in a cost or pricing statement with

which he is concerned in a professional capacity;

(7) does not exercise due diligence, or is grossly negligent in the conduct of his professional duties;

(8) fails to obtain sufficient information which is necessary for expression of an opinion or its

exceptions are sufficiently material to negate the expression of an opinion ;

(9) fails to invite attention to any material departure from the generally accepted procedure of costing

and pricing applicable to the circumstances;

(10) fails to keep moneys of his client other than fees or remuneration or money meant to be

expended in a separate banking account or to use such moneys for purposes for which they are intended

within a reasonable time.

PART II

Professional misconduct in relation to members of the Institute generally

A member of the Institute, whether in practice or not, shall be deemed to be guilty of professional

misconduct, if he—

(1) contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or the regulations made thereunder or any guidelines

issued by the Council;

(2) being an employee of any company, firm or person, discloses confidential information acquired in

the course of his employment, except as and when required by any law for the time being in force or

except as permitted by the employer;

(3) includes in any information, statement, return or form to be submitted to the Institute, Council or

any of its Committees, Director (Discipline), Board of Discipline, Disciplinary Committee, Quality

Review Board or the Appellate Authority any particulars knowing them to be false;

(4) defalcates or embezzles moneys received in his professional capacity.

PART III

Other misconduct in relation to members of the Institute generally

A member of the Institute, whether in practice or not, shall be deemed to be guilty of other

misconduct, if he is held guilty by any civil or criminal court for an offence which is punishable with

imprisonment for a term exceeding six months.]