a.

i. Matters associated with public interest are important for accountants because they ensure ethical conduct, maintain trust in the profession, protect stakeholders, comply with regulations, and uphold the integrity of financial reporting. Accountants serve the public by providing reliable information that affects economic decisions.

ii. Five examples of matters associated with public interest:

1. Financial reporting: Ensuring accurate financial statements for investors and creditors.
2. Taxation: Fair tax advice and compliance to avoid evasion, affecting government revenue.
3. Auditing: Independent audits to detect fraud, protecting shareholders.
4. Corporate governance: Advising on ethical practices to prevent scandals like Enron.
5. Environmental reporting: Disclosing sustainability impacts for societal benefit.

b.

i. Whistleblowing is the act of disclosing information about unethical, illegal, or harmful activities within an organization to authorities or the public, often by an insider, to prevent or stop wrongdoing.

ii. Five safeguards:

1. Professional ethics codes (e.g., ICAN code) that require reporting threats.
2. Legislation like the Whistleblower Protection Act to protect reporters from retaliation.
3. Internal reporting channels for anonymous complaints.
4. Education and training on ethical dilemmas to recognize and address threats.
5. Regulatory oversight by bodies like FRCN to enforce compliance and investigate issues.