The most important part in the code of ethics concerns independence, and can be subdivided into regulations to protect independence in general, and rules on independence regarding a particular client. The general legal guidelines with respect to independence prohibit an auditor from being employed outside the auditing profession. Hence, Belgian auditors will lose their licence if they accept employment outside the profession. Auditors are also forbidden to engage in activities that are incompatible with the dignity or independence of the profession.

Independence with respect to a particular client is based on the principle that auditors should refuse to accept an engagement if they:

(1) have been a director or manager of that client in the past three years;

(2) have a personal relationship with the client;

(3) have a commercial relationship with the client;

(4) have a financial interest in the client;

(5) render non-audit services to the client which could question their independence;

and/or

(6) become dependent, with regard to fee income, on particular clients.