Session 1: Ethical and Professional Standards Reading 2-VII: Standards of Professional Conduct & Guidance: Responsibilities as a CFA Institute Member or CFA Candidate
LOS B.: Reference to CFA Institute, the CFA Designation, and the CFA Program.
When Wes Smith first joined Advisors, Inc., he was excited that all the analysts at the firm had the CFA designation. In letters to prospective clients, he states that this ensures that Advisors can provide better service than their competitors. With respect to Standard VII(B), Reference to CFA Institute, the CFA Designation, and the CFA Program, this is:
A) |
a violation because he mentions the CFA designation in the letter. | |
B) |
a violation for both mentioning the CFA designation and saying the firm can guarantee better service. | |
C) |
a violation because he cannot guarantee better service. | |
According to Standard VII(B), the analyst cannot guarantee better service. Smith can mention the fact that all analysts have the designation, but he is limited in what he can say with respect to this fact. He could say, for example, that this means the analysts all had to take and pass three rigorous exams. |