Ethics is not an option; it’s a requirement. Since the adoption of the SEC Rule on Codes of Ethics, every registered investment adviser firm must adopt codes of ethics that establish standards of conduct and address conflicts that arise from personal trading issues. Many state advisers have also adopted a code of ethics either in response to state mandates or as an industry best practice. Instruction and guidance for this course will focus on identifying the requirements that must be covered in an adviser’s code of ethics and tailoring a code to meet your firm’s business operations and risks. This course will also provide guidance on implementing firm-wide ethics policies and procedures that help remind adviser personnel of their obligations to clients and avoid conflicts of interest. Implications of gifts policies and whistleblowers will be examined to highlight the unique characteristics of these potential conflicts of interests.
