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TABLE IV

The ITAA (ADAPSO) Recommended Code of Ethics for Professional Services Firms

Data processing has become central to the success of virtually every organization in the country. As a result, the professional
services business has grown to a multi-billion dollar enterprise providing clients with people-support and data processing
expertise on an as-needed basis.
A professional services firm can be called into a client's organization to perform any or all of the following services:

data processing needs evaluation;

systems selection;
custom software development;
education and training of data processing staff or end users; and
management of the entire data processing operation on behalf of the client.

Clearly these services require a high level of trust in the professional services firm's competence to ensure that the resulting data
processing system function correctly. In addition, employees of the professional services firm have a great deal of interaction
with the client's employees; access to the client's most confidential data and operating procedures; and the responsibility to make
independent judgements. This close working relationship requires that the professional services firm and its employees conduct
business on the highest ethical level.
Members of ADAPSO, the computer software and services industry association, clearly recognize the sensitive nature of the
business relationship between a client and a professional services company. This brochure is designed as a goal of ethical
conduct for professional services companies to reach and a yardstick for clients to measure the conduct of these firms.
This Code represents the beginning of a continuing program to promote and ensure the highest standards of ethical conduct
within the professional services industry. The guidelines established in this brochure have been reviewed and accepted by
executives representing many leading professional services companies. We encourage comments and inquiries on this Code.

The Basic Principles of Ethical Conduct

The following six principles of ethical conduct should apply to all professional services firms and its employees:

Basic Principle # 1

A professional services company and its employees should exercise independent judgment and objectivity.
Motivational and Ethical Considerations:
The judgment of a professional services company and its data processing practitioners should be exercised solely for the benefit
of a client and free of compromising influences. Neither the interest nor the desires of any other party should be permitted to
alter objectivity and independence when rendering recommendations in a professional situation or climate.
Independence and objectivity are to be considered impaired if a practioner or the professional services company has any interest
in a client's decision which has not been disclosed to the client.
Activities that could cast a doubt on a professional's ability to work with total objectivity with regard to the client's interests
should be avoided. If the professional is not certain whether or not a particular activity causes a conflict of interest, he/she
should seek advice from the management of the professional services firm.

Basic Principle # 2

A professional services company and its employees should communicate in a manner that facilitates clarity
and understanding.
Motivational and Ethical Considerations:
Data processing practioners of professional services firms should not use or participate in the use of any form of communication
containing false, fraudulent, misleading or deceptive statements or claims.
A data processing practitioner should communicate in the language of the client being serviced. The use of confusing computer
terminology is unprofessional. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to learn the terminology of the industry being serviced
and not to require the user to learn unnecessary data processing jargon.

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