Ethics and Standards

The Rules I Follow

As a CFA charterholder, I accept both the benefits and the responsibilities that come with the charter. One of the major responsibilities of a CFA charterholder is to comply fully with the CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. This Code includes fiduciary duty, a high standard under which one has an obligation to manage another’s financial affairs with prudence, undivided loyalty, and for the complete benefit of the other.  Fiduciary duty is a standard of service that CFA charterholders accept as part of their charters, but which many other financial advisors with alternative or no certifications may avoid out of concern for accepting the legal liability of a fiduciary.

My adherence to the CFA Code of Ethics and Standards provides you with a secure framework for entrusting the wealth owned by you, your family, employees, foundation, endowment, or any other organization or entity of importance to you. As you would want them treated, so am I obligated by both my charter and my personal honor to treat them, and so I will treat them.

Here is the entire text of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

This Code is not just words – it is a document that is actively used, referenced, and enforced every day across the world by the CFA community. Failure by a member to abide by the Code can (and does) result in discipline and loss of charter status.  In many ways, it sets the standard by which ethical behavior is judged in the highest echelons of the investment community.

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