ethical and professional ideals of CFP professionals. Principle 1: Integrity CFP professionals may be placed by clients in positions of trust and confidence. The source of this trust is integrity. In deciding what is right and just, a CFP professional should rely on his or her integrity as the appropriate touchstone. Integrity demands honesty and candour that must not be subordinated to personal gain and advantage. Integrity requires the CFP professional to observe not only the letter but also the spirit of this code. Principle 2: Objectivity Objectivity requires intellectual honesty and impartiality. It is an essential quality for any professional. Regardless of the particular service rendered or the capacity in which a CFP professional functions, a CFP professional should protect the integrity of his or her work, maintain objectivity, and avoid the subordination of his or her judgment, which would be in violation of this code. Principle 3: Competence A CFP professional shall provide services to clients competently and maintain the necessary knowledge and skill to continue to do so in those areas in which the CFP professional is engaged. One is competent only when one has attained and maintained an adequate level of knowledge and skill, and applies that knowledge effectively in providing services to clients. Competence also includes the wisdom to recognize the limitations of that knowledge and when consultation or referral is appropriate. A CFP professional shall make a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Principle 4: Fairness A CFP professional shall perform financial planning in a manner that is fair and reasonable to clients, principals, partners and employers and shall disclose conflicts of interest in providing such services. Fairness requires impartiality, intellectual honesty, and disclosure of conflicts of interest. It involves a subordination of one's own feelings, prejudices, and desires so as to achieve a proper balance of conflicting interests. Fairness is treating others in the same fashion that one would want to be treated and is an essential trait of any professional. Principle 5: Confidentiality A CFP professional shall maintain confidentiality of all client information. A client, by seeking the services of a CFP professional, expects to develop a relationship of personal
ethical and professional ideals of CFP professionals. Principle 1: Integrity CFP professionals may be placed by clients in positions of trust and confidence. The source of this trust is integrity. In deciding what is right and just, a CFP professional should rely on his or her integrity as the appropriate touchstone. Integrity demands honesty and candour that must not be subordinated to personal gain and advantage. Integrity requires the CFP professional to observe not only the letter but also the spirit of this code. Principle 2: Objectivity Objectivity requires intellectual honesty and impartiality. It is an essential quality for any professional. Regardless of the particular service rendered or the capacity in which a CFP professional functions, a CFP professional should protect the integrity of his or her work, maintain objectivity, and avoid the subordination of his or her judgment, which would be in violation of this code. Principle 3: Competence A CFP professional shall provide services to clients competently and maintain the necessary knowledge and skill to continue to do so in those areas in which the CFP professional is engaged. One is competent only when one has attained and maintained an adequate level of knowledge and skill, and applies that knowledge effectively in providing services to clients. Competence also includes the wisdom to recognize the limitations of that knowledge and when consultation or referral is appropriate. A CFP professional shall make a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Principle 4: Fairness A CFP professional shall perform financial planning in a manner that is fair and reasonable to clients, principals, partners and employers and shall disclose conflicts of interest in providing such services. Fairness requires impartiality, intellectual honesty, and disclosure of conflicts of interest. It involves a subordination of one's own feelings, prejudices, and desires so as to achieve a proper balance of conflicting interests. Fairness is treating others in the same fashion that one would want to be treated and is an essential trait of any professional. Principle 5: Confidentiality A CFP professional shall maintain confidentiality of all client information. A client, by seeking the services of a CFP professional, expects to develop a relationship of personal