Course Content
ETHICS AND TRUST IN THE INVESTMENT PROFESSION
This chapter is covered in Reading 1 of the Study Session 1, of the study material prescribed by the institute. After reading this chapter a student should be able to: a explain ethics; b describe the role of a code of ethics in defining a profession; c describe professions and how they establish trust; d describe the need for high ethical standards in investment management; e explain professionalism in investment management; f identify challenges to ethical behavior; g distinguish between ethical and legal standards; h describe a framework for ethical decision making.
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CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
This chapter is covered in Reading 2 of the Study Session 1, of the study material prescribed by the institute. After reading this chapter a student should be able to: a. describe the structure of the CFA Institute Professional Conduct Program and the process for the enforcement of the Code and Standards; b. state the six components of the Code of Ethics and the seven Standards of Professional Conduct; c. explain the ethical responsibilities required by the Code and Standards, including the sub-sections of each Standard.
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GUIDANCE FOR STANDARDS I–VII
This chapter is covered in Reading 3 of the Study Session 1, of the study material prescribed by the institute. After reading this chapter a student should be able to: a. demonstrate the application of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct to situations involving issues of professional integrity; b. distinguish between conduct that conforms to the Code and Standards and conduct that violates the Code and Standards; c. recommend practices and procedures designed to prevent violations of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
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INTRODUCTION TO THE GLOBAL INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (GIPS)
This chapter is covered in Reading 4 of the Study Session 1, of the study material prescribed by the institute. After reading this chapter a student should be able to: a. a explain why the GIPS standards were created, what parties the GIPS standards apply to, and who is served by the standards; b. explain the construction and purpose of composites in performance reporting; c. explain the requirements for verification.
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GLOBAL INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (GIPS)
This chapter is covered in Reading 5 of the Study Session 1, of the study material prescribed by the institute. After reading this chapter a student should be able to: a. describe the key features of the GIPS standards and the fundamentals of compliance; b. describe the scope of the GIPS standards with respect to an investment firm’s definition and historical performance record; c. explain how the GIPS standards are implemented in countries with existing standards for performance reporting and describe the appropriate response when the GIPS standards and local regulations conflict; d. describe the nine major sections of the GIPS standards.
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Ethical and Professional Standards
About Lesson

a.  Ethics covers a set of moral principles and rules of conduct that guide our behaviors.

b.  Moral or ethical principles are the beliefs regarding what is good, acceptable, or obligatory behavior and what is bad, unacceptable, or forbidden behavior. These may be individual or shared beliefs regarding standards of behavior that are expected or required.

c.  Ethical conduct is the behavior that follows moral principles and balances self-interest with direct-indirect consequences of behaviors on others. For example, honesty, fairness or justice, diligence, respect for the rights of others, etc.

d.  Code of ethics is a codified guide that communicates an organization’s or a professional’s expectations regarding its member’s behavior. Thus, these are the shared principles that the organization and its members must follow.

e.  Standard of conduct is the established benchmarks for the minimally acceptable behavior that clarify or enhance a group’s code of ethics.

f.  Violations of the code of ethics can harm the community’s reputation both internally and externally.
To protect the innocent members and limit the potential harm, violations should be investigated, and the violators may be made to repair any damage, be disciplined, and revoke their membership.