Michigan Chapter of the Institute of Management Consultants USA

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IMC USA Code of Ethics

All IMC USA members pledge in writing to abide by the Institute’s Code of Ethics.  Their adherence to the Code signifies voluntary assumption of self-discipline. 

As the professional association and certifying body for management consultants in the United States, IMC USA requires adherence to this Code of Ethics as a condition of membership and certification.  The standards of conduct set forth in this Code provide basic principles in the ethical practice of management consulting.  The purpose of this Code is to help IMC USA members maintain their professionalism and adhere to high ethical standards in the conduct of providing services to clients and in their dealings with their colleagues and the public.  The individual judgment of Members is required to apply these principles.  Members are liable to disciplinary action under the IMC USA Rules of Procedure for Enforcement of this Code if their conduct is found by the IMC USA Ethics Committee to be in violation of the Code or to bring discredit to the profession or to IMC USA.  The Code specifies:

Clients

· Members will serve their clients with integrity, competence, independence, objectivity, and professionalism.

· Members will mutually establish realistic expectations of the benefits and results of their services.

· Members will only accept assignments for which they possess the requisite experience and competence to perform and will only assign staff or engage colleagues with the knowledge and expertise needed to serve clients effectively.

· Members will ensure that before accepting any engagement a mutual understanding of the objectives, scope, work plan, and fee arrangements has been established.

· Members will treat appropriately all confidential client information that is not public knowledge, take reasonable steps to prevent it from access by unauthorized people, and will not take advantage of proprietary or privileged information, either for use by them, the client’s firm, or another client, without the client’s permission.

· Members will avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of such and will immediately disclose to a client any circumstances or interests that might influence their judgment and objectivity.

· Members will offer to withdraw from a consulting engagement when their objectivity or integrity may be impaired.

· Members will refrain from inviting an employee of an active or inactive client to consider alternative employment without prior discussion with the client.

Fiscal Integrity

· Members will agree in advance with a client on the basis for fees and expenses, and will charge fees that are reasonable and commensurate with the services delivered and the responsibility accepted.

· Members will not accept commissions, remuneration, or other benefits from a third party in connection with the recommendations to a client without that client’s prior knowledge and consent, and will disclose in advance any financial interests in goods or services that form part of such recommendations.

Public and the Profession

· Members will, if within the scope of an engagement, report to appropriate authorities within or external to the client organization any occurrences of malfeasance, dangerous behavior, or illegal activities.

· Members will respect the rights of consulting colleagues and consulting firms and will not use their proprietary information or methodologies without permission.

· Members will represent the profession with integrity and professionalism in their relations with their clients, colleagues, and the general public.

· Members will not advertise their services in a deceptive manner nor misrepresent or denigrate individual consulting practitioners, consulting firms, or the consulting profession.

· Members will report violations of this Code to the Institute of Management Consultants USA and will promote adherence to the Code by other member consultants working on their behalf.

The Institute of Management Consultants USA, Inc. (IMC USA) adopted its first Code of Ethics in 1968.  Since that time IMC USA has modified the wording of the Code for additional clarity and relevance to clients.  The current Code was approved February 3, 2005.  It is consistent with the International Code of Professional Conduct published by the International Council of Management Consulting Institute (ICMCI) of which IMC USA is a founding member.