Standard I: Professionalism
About this episode
Standard I of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct is where Ethics gets practical. In a two host format, one host explains the material while the other plays a fictional exam candidate, and together they reason out loud through the four sub-standards of Professionalism: Knowledge of the Law, Independence and Objectivity, Misrepresentation, and Misconduct. Using fully fictional scenarios, they work the situations the exam is built around, to help you practice reasoning through a vignette rather than guessing at it.
In this episode
Standard I, Professionalism, is the foundation of the Code and Standards, and this episode works through its four sub-standards in order using fully fictional scenarios.
Standard I(A), Knowledge of the Law, covers what to do when laws, regulations, and the Code and Standards point in different directions. The hosts reason through the idea that you follow the stricter requirement, and that when you know of a violation you dissociate from it rather than looking the other way.
Standard I(B), Independence and Objectivity, looks at the pressures that can quietly bend judgment: gifts and entertainment, pressure from issuers or from within a firm, and the difference between what is acceptable and what compromises objectivity.
Standard I(C), Misrepresentation, addresses false or misleading statements, including plagiarism and misstating qualifications or performance. Standard I(D), Misconduct, addresses dishonesty, fraud, and conduct that reflects on professional integrity.
Throughout, the fictional scenarios are used to surface the traps the exam tends to build around each sub-standard, and the episode points listeners to the free practice exam at tottenprep.com.
What this episode covers
- Standard I(A) Knowledge of the Law: following the stricter requirement and dissociating from violations.
- Standard I(B) Independence and Objectivity: gifts, pressure, and protecting judgment.
- Standard I(C) Misrepresentation, including plagiarism and misstated qualifications.
- Standard I(D) Misconduct: honesty, integrity, and professional conduct.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four parts of CFA® Standard I Professionalism?
Standard I of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct covers four sub-standards: I(A) Knowledge of the Law, I(B) Independence and Objectivity, I(C) Misrepresentation, and I(D) Misconduct.
Is this podcast affiliated with CFA Institute?
No. Totten Prep is independent educational content for exam preparation only. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by CFA Institute. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.