30.5 Fair play in fee-setting and billing

None of the techniques discussed guarantees absolute precision and objectivity of remuneration for the work performed and results produced. There will always be an element of uncertainty, and of subjective judgement, which may or may not be correct and fair. Despite progress in measurement techniques, fee-setting and billing for professional consulting work continue to be matters of honesty and trust, in addition to being matters of measurement and control. Consultants and their associations are well aware of these two sides. Their concerns are expressed in the codes of conduct, which tend to pay considerable attention to billing techniques regarded as ethical, as well as to practices that are not recommended or are specifically banned by the profession.

Communicating fees to clients

Clients should be properly informed about fees and about the methods used to calculate them. They should have no reason to suspect that they are being