FNAN 483: Ethical and Professional Standards in Finance Master Syllabus
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Course Website: Canvas
Course Objectives
This course is a complete study of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, and it follows the Standards of Practice Handbook (2014). The material focuses on ethical issues that may arise in the financial industry, including duties to clients, integrity of capital markets, professionalism with clients, duties to employers, and conflicts of interest.
Learning Goals
Upon completing this course, students will be able to (1) identify ethical concerns in the finance industry, (2) understand how to resolve those concerns, and (3) articulate ethical duties to clients, employers, and regulators in clear, concise, professional prose.
Course Textbook
You do not need to purchase a text for this class. Instead you will find all of the information you need at the CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. Your professor will provide worksheets, tests, and other materials.
Readings
- Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct (summary version)
- Ethics and the Investment Industry (updated version)
Standard I: Professionalism
- Standard I(A) Knowledge of the Law
- Standard I(B) Independence and Objectivity
- Standard I(C) Misrepresentation
- Standard I(D) Misconduct Standard II: Integrity of Capital Markets
Standard II: Integrity of Capital Markets
- Standard II(A) Material Nonpublic Information
- Standard II(B) Market Manipulation Standard III: Duties to Clients
Standard III: Duties to Clients
- Standard III(A) Loyalty, Prudence, and Care
- Standard III(B) Fair Dealing
- Standard III(C) Suitability
- Standard III(D) Performance Presentation
- Standard III(E) Preservation of Confidentiality Standard IV: Duties to Employers
Standard IV: Duties to Employers
- Standard IV(A) Loyalty
- Standard IV(B) Additional Compensation Arrangements
- Standard IV(C) Responsibilities of Supervisors
Standard V: Investment Analysis, Recommendations, and Actions
- Standard V(A) Diligence and Reasonable Basis FNAN 483 p. 3
- Standard V(B) Communication with Clients and Prospective Clients
- Standard V(C) Record Retention
Standard VI: Conflicts of Interest
- Standard VI(A) Disclosure of Conflicts
- Standard VI(B) Priority of Transactions
- Standard VI(C) Referral Fees
Standard VII: Responsibilities as a CFA Institute Member or CFA Candidate
- Standard VII(A) Conduct as Participants in CFA Institute Programs
- Standard VII(B) Reference to CFA Institute, the CFA Designation, and the CFA Program
Grades
Your final grade will be based on:
| Class Participation | 25% |
| Problem Sets | 50% |
| Final Case Study | 25% |
Class participation will include your comments on the Discussion Board.
- Please write clear, concise, and professional emails on your George Mason accounts. I am not allowed to use Gmail or other outside accounts.
- All emails should include an embedded signature with your complete name and email address.
- All emails should include “FNAN 483” in the subject line.
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