Code of Ethics helps maintain the integrity of a profession in the eyes of the public.

• A. Integrity of a Profession
• B. Transparency of the industry
• C. Profitability of firms
• D. Compliance with laws

Answer: (A)

A Code of Ethics is built to uphold how professionals should act—honestly, fairly, and with competence—so the public can trust that the profession operates with integrity. By outlining expected behavior and guiding decisions, it signals a commitment to moral standards beyond just following laws or chasing money. When practitioners adhere to these ethical principles, the profession earns and preserves public trust, which is precisely about its integrity in the eyes of society. That’s why the option describing integrity of a profession fits best. The idea of transparency is related but not what the code primarily aims to guarantee; profitability is unrelated to ethical standards, and while legal compliance matters, ethics cover broader expectations that may go beyond mere compliance.