Ethics for the investment management profession
What drives financial market success and earns investor trust?
The answer is trust. Trust can only be built through ethical behavior and an industry-wide commitment to values like transparency, integrity, candor, and putting investors first. Since its origin, CFA® Institute has championed ethics in the investment profession, setting the highest possible ethical standards for professionals around the globe.
Ethical behavior goes beyond simply following laws and established rules. It's about knowing how to navigate ambiguous ethical situations and putting the interests of investors first when the rules are unclear. In addition to the globally recognized CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, CFA Institute offers lifelong learning opportunities to guide investment professionals with ethical decision making and practices throughout every stage of their careers.
What we do: Lifelong ethics learning
Ethics in the CFA® Program
A candidate's ethics education begins with the CFA Program. Ethical principles and their application in the investment profession are fundamental in all three levels of the CFA Program curriculum.
Annual commitment to the CFA institute code of ethics and standards of professional conduct
All CFA Charterholders, members, and candidates worldwide are required to annually attest to compliance with the CFA Institute Code and Standards. The Code and Standards are updated regularly, ensuring they remain the ethical benchmark for the investment profession globally.
Alternative actions: Have you brainstormed multiple solutions and avoided a particular preconceived path?
Additional guidance: Have you sought the independent, objective assessment of other people to gain additional perspective?
Ethics education
CFA Institute offers learning resources to help guide ethical behavior and practices throughout a professional’s career. Learn more about the CFA Institute Ethical Decision-making Programs and Framework, both online and in-person, and Giving Voice to Values, an innovative approach to learning how to effectively act on your values.
Elevate the issue to a higher authority: Alternatively, the best course of action may be to elevate your concerns to a more appropriate person. You may need to follow up with the other person to ensure appropriate action was taken.
Ethics micro learning
Expertise is honed through practical application. CFA Institute offers regular opportunities, such as through the Ethics in Practice series, for Charterholders to practice ethical decision-making skills, expand their knowledge, and share best practices among the global CFA Institute community. Download the Ethics in Practice casebook of 100 cases to ready, study, and learn.
Know your strengths and weaknesses: Regardless of the consequences your decisions and actions bring, understanding your strengths and weaknesses will help you make ethical decisions in the future.
Want to learn more about Codes and Standards?
Explore the CFA Institute's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Access essential guidance to maintain the highest standards in the financial industry.