Code of ethics
The statement of principles a profession's members commit to. CFA Institute's sets six, from integrity and putting clients first to maintaining competence; the Standards turn them into enforceable rules.
Where you will meet it
Code of ethics appears in 7 learning outcomes on the CFA syllabus. A few of them:
- Set out the parts that make up the Code of Ethics
“The Code of Ethics states the ethical principles members and candidates commit to: acting with integrity, competence, diligence and respect; placing the integrity of the profession and clients' interests above their own; using reasonable care and independent professional judgement; practising in a way that reflects credit on the profession; promoting market integrity; and maintaining professional competence.”
- Explain what the Code and Standards expect of members ethically, covering every standard and its subsections
“The Code of Ethics sets broad principles, and the Standards turn them into seven groups of enforceable duties.”
- Explain the duties the Code and Standards impose on members and candidates, covering every subsection of all seven Standards
“The Code of Ethics sets six broad obligations, among them integrity, putting clients first, reasonable care, independent judgement and maintaining competence.”
- Explain the ways a profession earns public trust and why investment managers must hold themselves to strict ethics
“Its members share specialised knowledge and skills, commit to serve clients' interests, and are governed by a code of ethics that a professional body monitors and enforces, often alongside requirements for continuing competence.”
See also
Learn it properly
- How to become a CFA charterholder: the requirements, step by step
- What is the CFA charter? What it means, how it is earned and who awards it
Practise it
Practise code of ethics until it is automatic: questions that explain every wrong option.
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