Ethical and professional code of conduct

Trust as the foundation for everything we do.

At HLB Belgium, we believe that trust is the cornerstone of every sustainable partnership. As an accounting and advisory firm, we bear a significant social responsibility. Our ethical and professional code of conduct serves as an essential compass in this regard. It determines how we interact with clients, colleagues, partners, and society as a whole. Our code of conduct reflects who we are, what we value, and how we work together to build an organization based on integrity, transparency, and quality.

Our core values

We act every day according to a set of clear principles:

  • Integrity – We do what is right, even when no one is watching. Honesty, transparency, and responsibility are central.
  • Professional excellence – We provide advice and services of the highest quality, based on expertise, experience, and a critical mindset.
  • Independence and objectivity – We make decisions without bias or conflict of interest.
  • Respect and inclusion – We create a safe, diverse, and respectful work environment for everyone.
  • Social responsibility – We are aware of our impact on society and act accordingly.
Ethical behavior in practice

Our code of conduct is not a static document, but a living set of guidelines that help us with:

  • Identifying and avoiding conflicts of interest
  • Handling confidential information
  • Communicating correctly and transparently, both internally and externally
  • Safeguarding independence, especially in assurance engagements
  • Dealing fairly with clients, suppliers, and competitors
  • Creating a safe work environment free from discrimination or harassment
To whom does this code apply?

The code applies to all employees within HLB Belgium – from partners to administrative staff. Everyone contributes to upholding our principles. New employees are introduced to it from their first day. Furthermore, compliance with the code of conduct is part of our annual evaluation procedures.

Ethical dilemmas? We are here for each other.

Sometimes there are situations where the right choice is not obvious. That is why we offer support through clear reporting channels:

  • Directly to the supervisor or Service Line Leader
  • Via our Ethics Compliance Officer, Guy Cox
  • (If desired) anonymously via the whistleblowing procedure

We encourage open communication and protect employees who report a problem in good faith.

Our nine ethical principles.
  1. Honesty and integrity
  2. Professional responsibility
  3. Expertise
  4. Objectivity
  5. Confidentiality
  6. Fair business practices
  7. Social responsibility
  8. Respect and fair treatment
  9. Accountability for our decisions

These principles are not only guiding but are an integral part of our corporate culture.

Sustainable trust

Our code of conduct is actively monitored, evaluated, and – where necessary – updated. This is done under the leadership of the Ethics Compliance Officer in close cooperation with the governing body of HLB Belgium.

In this way, we ensure that our standards do not just exist on paper but come to life daily in how we work, communicate, and make decisions together.

Would you like to know more about how we put ethics into practice? Please contact us.