Level 1 CFA® Exam Ethics Summary

CFA Exam: Level 1 / Ethics

The Basics of Level 1 CFA Exam Ethics

Each level 1 CFA exam candidate must know the Code of Ethics and the 7 Standards of Professional Conduct. The Ethical Standards are devoted to separate areas of the investment profession. The Standards cannot, however, be used selectively. They are closely interwoven and you need to see them as a whole. The Code of Ethics provides guidelines you should follow at any time and place.

This blog post was created as a part of the CFA exam review series to help you in your level 1 exam revision, whether done regularly or shortly before your CFA exam.

Level 1 Ethics Cheat Sheet

Here's a cheat sheet for you to fall back on when studying Ethics for your level 1 CFA exam. It all boils down to the 6 principles of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and the 7 Standards of Professional Conduct. However, remember that it's not that easy – the devil is always in the details.

CFA Institute Code of Ethics

CFA Institute Code of Ethics is a set of principles and moral rules agreed on and accepted by investment professionals.

There are six major principles included in the CFA Institute Code of Ethics that generally correspond to the following moral obligations:

1. Act in a morally acceptable manner and to the best of your abilities in any of your professional relationships.
2. Always place the good of your profession and of your clients first.
3. Stay independent and exercise reasonable care in your professional activities.
4. Practice in an ethical way that earns you an honest reputation and encourage others to do so.
5. Promote the integrity of the market.
6. Maintain and improve your competence and encourage others to do so.

You can learn more about CFA Institute Code of Ethics & Standards of Professional Conduct by visiting our CFA exam lesson on Ethical Standards .

Standards of Professional Conduct

There are seven ethical standards. CFA Institute calls them Standards of Professional Conduct and they talk about the following areas:

1. Standard I: Professionalism
2. Standard II: Integrity of Capital Markets
3. Standard III: Duties to Clients
4. Standard IV: Duties to Employers
5. Standard V: Investment Analysis, Recommendations, and Actions
6. Standard VI: Conflicts of Interest
7. Standard VII: Responsibilities as a CFA Institute Member or CFA Candidate

CFA Exam: Ethics Summary Presentation

Below you can watch the summary of the CFA exam Ethics created by our team. We hope you like it and find it useful. This summary was prepared to complement our CFA Exam Study PLANNER and can be used by candidates of all levels of the CFA exam.

The presentation is about the CFA Institute Code of Ethics & Standards of Professional Conduct and was prepared in Prezi.

Level 1 CFA Exam Professional Standards in Detail

When defining the Standards of Professional Conduct we might say that they provide a comprehensive description of best practices and moral duties for investment professionals.

Each of the 7 standards includes a number of sub-sections that specify acceptable ethical conduct and responsibilities applicable to particular profession-related situations.

Standard I: Professionalism

• (A) Knowledge of the Law
• (B) Independence and Objectivity
• (C) Misrepresentation
• (D) Misconduct

learn more: Standard I, Summary & CFA exam lesson on Ethics, Standard I

Standard II: Integrity of Capital Markets

• (A) Material Nonpublic Information
• (B) Market Manipulation

learn more: Standard II, Summary & CFA exam lesson on Ethics, Standard II

Standard III: Duties to Clients

• (A) Loyalty, Prudence, and Care
• (B) Fair Dealing
• (C) Suitability
• (D) Performance Presentation
• (E) Preservation of Confidentiality

learn more: Standard III, Summary & CFA exam lesson on Ethics, Standard III

Standard IV: Duties to Employers

• (A) Loyalty
• (B) Additional Compensation Arrangements
• (C) Responsibilities of Supervisor

learn more: CFA exam lesson on Ethics, Standard IV

Standard V: Investment Analysis, Recommendations, and Actions

• (A) Diligence and Reasonable Basis
• (B) Communication with Clients and Prospective Clients
• (C) Record Retention

learn more: CFA exam lesson on Ethics, Standard V

Standard VI: Conflicts of Interest

• (A) Disclosure of Conflicts
• (B) Priority of Transactions
• (C) Referral Fees

learn more: CFA exam lesson on Ethics, Standard VI

Standard VII: Responsibilities as a CFA Institute Member or CFA Candidate

• (A) Conduct as Members and Candidates in the CFA Program
• (B) Reference to CFA Institute, the CFA Designation, and the CFA Program

learn more: CFA exam lesson on Ethics, Standard VII

Level 1 GIPS Standards

Apart from the 7 Standards of Professional Conduct, you must also know the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) for your level 1 CFA exam.

learn more: CFA exam lesson on GIPS

The general idea behind the Standards has not changed since their creation in the 1960s. All members and candidates are obliged to obey the provisions of the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Professional Conduct. Any violations may result in appropriate disciplinary sanctions including, but not limited to, the exclusion from the CFA Program or the revocation of the CFA designation.

LAST UPDATE: 7 Nov 2023

Read Also:

• CFA Exam Ethics Summary, Standard I
• CFA Exam Ethics Summary, Standard II
• CFA Exam Ethics Summary, Standard III