MCA Code of Conduct

As a member firm of the Management Consultancies Association (MCA) we are required to adhere to a Professional Code of Conduct that protects the interests of our clients. This Code of Conduct ensures we maintain the highest possible professional and ethical standards in order to uphold the dignity and reputation of our profession:

Code of Conduct - as set out in the MCA Bylaws

2.1 A Code of Professional Conduct designed to cover all eventualities must necessarily be written in general terms expressing broad ethical principles. Almost every case of doubt as to the proper course of action required to conform to the Code of Professional Conduct arises from a conflict between Members' business or commercial interests and their duty to their client. In general, the principle adopted by the MCA is simple - in any conflict between the interests of the Members and the interest of the clients, the duty to the clients must prevail.

2.2 Each Member accepts that it is in the interests of all Members of the Association that each member maintains the highest possible professional and ethical standards so as to uphold the dignity and reputation of their profession. They shall exercise their professional skill and judgement to the best of their ability and discharge their professional responsibilities with independence of thought and action, objectivity and integrity. Members therefore undertake to abide by the Code of Professional Conduct, which provides that Members shall:

  • in matters relating to a client's affairs act solely in the interests of the client;
  • not enter into any arrangement which might detract from the objectivity and impartiality of advice given to the client;
  • disclose, at the earliest opportunity, any special relationships, circumstances or business interests which might influence or impair, or could be seen by the client or others to influence or impair, the Member's judgement or objectivity on a particular assignment;
  • foster the highest possible standards of professional competence amongst those for whom they are responsible;
  • comply with the letter and the spirit of:
  • the law of any country in which they practice
  • contractual obligations
  • any guidance which may from time to time be issued by the MCA
  • reject any business practice which might reasonably be deemed improper;
  • keep confidential all confidential information regarding the client's business and staff;
  • only accept work for which it is qualified and has capacity to undertake;
  • agree terms of remuneration and the basis of calculation thereof with the client in advance or (see next point);
  • define and agree terms of engagement, the nature of an assignment to be carried out, how the work will be performed, the desired outcomes of the assignment, how performance will be evaluated, the terms of remuneration, and the basis of calculation thereof, and the provision for termination, with the client in advance;
  • where a Member is a subsidiary of a parent body, or enters into an alliance with a body, which is not in the public practice of management consultancy, ensure that all advice will be untied and independent of any influence of that parent body or alliance partner;
  • at all times act so as to maintain or improve the status of Management Consultancy as a profession;
  • act with fairness and integrity towards all persons with whom their work is connected and towards other Members.

2.3 Where any breach of the Code of Professional Conduct is brought to the attention of the Executive Director it shall be put before the General Policy Committee and the procedure in Section 210 followed. (See also C- Disciplinary Procedures)

2.4 Where, following the completion of the procedure set out in Section 210, a finding is made that there has been a breach of the Code of Professional Conduct; the General Policy Committee may recommend any of the following sanctions:

  • reprimand published to the Members of the Association
  • public reprimand
  • conditions imposed on continued membership
  • suspension from membership
  • expulsion from membership, with a prohibition on re-entry for two years

In all cases save reprimand within the Association, the action taken and the background to such action may be publicised by the Association in trade and/or national press and on the Association's website.

2.5 For the avoidance of doubt, conduct of a Member outside of the United Kingdom will constitute an infringement of this Code as if it were conduct in the United Kingdom where such conduct is or is likely to become known within the United Kingdom and where it presents a risk to the reputation of the Association, the Management Consultancy profession or the individual Member.

For the complete MCA Bylaws, click here.