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PO Box 168W, Room 29 Hastings Plaza Hastings
Christ Church, Barbados BB15150
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Office Address
PO Box 168W, Room 29 Hastings Plaza Hastings
Christ Church, Barbados BB15150
Contact Us
LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados has established disciplinary procedures to ensure complaints are handled fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the Disciplinary Regulations 2016. This page gives an overview of how the disciplinary process works, the rights of all parties involved, and what to expect at each stage. The full legal and procedural details of the Disciplinary Regulations should be reviewed.
ICAB’s disciplinary framework is designed to be fair to all parties involved in a complaint.
Key rights include:
Each party to a complaint may provide written submissions
Any party may be accompanied by a representative of their choice, including an attorney-at-law
Representatives and witnesses have the same rights, privileges, and immunities as would apply in legal proceedings
All parties are given the opportunity to respond to allegations and evidence
These safeguards ensure that complaints are considered objectively and that members are given a full and fair opportunity to be heard.
Any individual, member, or entity with a grievance may submit a written complaint to ICAB. Complaints may relate to:
To be considered, a complaint must include sufficient information to allow ICAB to properly assess the matter. A complete complaint includes:
Professional misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Criminal activity
Acts or omissions likely to bring the accountancy profession into disrepute
Breaches of professional standards
Breaches of ethical requirements
Gross professional negligence
Repeated instances of professional negligence
Failure to disclose disciplinary sanctions imposed by another professional body
These matters are assessed in accordance with ICAB’s Disciplinary Regulations.
Once a complaint is properly filed:
The Investigations Committee reviews the complaint and supporting evidence
The member who is the subject of the complaint is notified and invited to respond
The Committee determines whether a prima facie case exists
If no case is found, the matter is closed and the parties are notified
If a case is established, the complaint is referred to the Disciplinary Committee for a hearing
This process ensures that only matters with sufficient basis proceed further.
Where a complaint proceeds to a disciplinary hearing, the Disciplinary Committee considers the evidence and submissions from all parties.
Possible outcomes may include:
No further action
A caution or reprimand
Fines or compensation orders
Suspension or loss of practice rights
Decisions are issued in writing within 30 days and include full reasons. Each party is informed of their right to appeal.
Appeals may be lodged by:
The complainant
The member subject to disciplinary action
The Investigations Committee
ICAB Council, in limited circumstances
Appeals must be lodged in writing within 30 days of the Disciplinary Committee’s written decision. The Appeals Committee considers appeals only on specific grounds, including errors of fact or law, misinterpretation of ICAB’s by-laws or regulations, failure to consider relevant evidence, or new evidence not previously available.
Read the full rules governing disciplinary action against ICAB members.
Submit the online complaint form to begin a formal complaint against a member.
Review the foundational governing rules of the Institute.
Explore professional and regulatory standards.
