Chartered Accountancy IPCC Business Laws Ethics and Communication Syllabus

Paper 2: Business Laws, Ethics and Communication

(One paper – three hours - 100 marks)

Level of Knowledge: Working knowledge

Part I: Business Laws (60 marks)

Objective: To test working knowledge of business laws and company law and their practical  application in commercial situations.

Contents:

Business Laws (30 marks)

1. The Indian Contract Act, 1872

2. The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

3. The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965

4. The Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952

5. The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.

Company Law (30 marks)

The Companies Act, 1956 – Sections 1 to 197

(a) Preliminary

(b) Board of Company Law Administration - National Company Law Tribunal; Appellate Tribunal

(c) Incorporation of company and matters incidental thereto

(d) Prospectus and allotment, and other matters relating to use of shares or debentures

(e) Share capital and debentures

(f) Registration of charges

(g) Management and administration – general provisions – registered office and name, restrictions on commencement of business, registers of members and debentures holders, foreign registers of members or debenture holders, annual returns, general provisions regarding registers and returns, meetings and proceedings.

(h) Company Law in a computerized environment – e-filing.

Note: If new legislations are enacted in place of the existing legislations, the syllabus would include the corresponding provisions of such new legislations with effect from a date notified by the Institute.

Part II: Ethics (20 marks)

Objective: To have an understanding of ethical issues in business.

Contents:

1. Introduction to Business Ethics - The nature, purpose of ethics and morals for organizational interests; ethics and conflicts of interests; ethical and social implications of business policies and decisions; corporate social responsibility; ethical issues in corporate governance.

2. Environment Issues - Protecting the Natural Environment – prevention of pollution and depletion of natural resources; conservation of natural resources.

3. Ethics in Workplace - Individual in the organisation, discrimination, harassment, gender equality.

4. Ethics in Marketing and Consumer Protection - Healthy competition and protecting consumer’s interest.

5. Ethics in Accounting and Finance - Importance, issues and common problems.

Part III: Communication (20 marks)

Objective: To nurture and develop the communication and behavioural skills relating to business.

Contents:

1. Elements of Communication

(a) Forms of communication: formal and  informal, inter-departmental, verbal and nonverbal; active listening and critical thinking

(b) Presentation skills including conducting meeting, press conference

(c) Planning and composing business messages

(d) Communication channels

(e) Communicating corporate culture, change, innovative spirits

(f) Communication breakdowns

(g) Communication ethics

(h) Groups dynamics; handling group conflicts, consensus building; influencing and persuasion skills; negotiating and bargaining

(i) Emotional intelligence – emotional quotient

(j) Soft skills – personality traits; interpersonal skills; leadership.

2. Communication in Business Environment

(a) Business Meetings – Notice, Agenda, Minutes, Chairperson’s speech

(b) Press releases

(c) Corporate announcements by stock exchanges

(d) Reporting of proceedings of a meeting.

3. Basic Understanding of Legal Deeds and Documents

(a) Partnership deed

(b) Power of Attorney

(c) Lease deed

(d) Affidavit

(e) Indemnity bond

(f) Gift deed

(g) Memorandum and articles of association of a company

(h) Annual Report of a company.