Asset Manager Code
Overview
Asset Manager Code
Download the Asset Manager Code (PDF)The CFA Institute Asset Manager CodeTM (the Code) outlines the ethical and professional responsibilities of organizations that manage assets on behalf of clients. The principles and provisions address six broad categories: (1) loyalty to clients, (2) investment process and actions, (3) trading, (4) risk management, compliance, and support, (5) performance reporting and valuation, and (6) disclosures.
Why Is It Important?
The Code outlines the ethical and professional responsibilities of organizations that manage assets on behalf of clients. It provides standards and supportive guidance based on general principles of conduct.
The Code states that managers have these responsibilities to their clients:
- To act in a professional and ethical manner at all times
- To act for the benefit of clients
- To act with independence and objectivity
- To act with skill, competence, and diligence
- To communicate with clients in a timely and accurate manner
- To uphold the rules governing capital markets
To learn more about the most widely adopted global code of professional conduct for organizations managing clients’ investments, click here.
Why Should Organizations Comply with the Asset Manager Code?
Many organizations have their own conduct standards in place to guide their work, but it can be difficult for clients to compare different codes and identify key differences in the organization's level of commitment toward protecting their interests. Rather than evaluating each organization's code of conduct separately, clients can use the CFA Institute Asset Manager Code to quickly identify organizations that commit to a common foundation of ethical principles. Adopting the Code isn't an "either - or" proposition; some organizations already comply simply on the strength of their existing code of ethics.
See the organizations that currently claim compliance with the Asset Manager Code
How Can I Comply with the Asset Manager Code?
Your organization may already have a code of ethics in place that addresses or goes beyond the principles and provisions in the CFA Institute Asset Manager Code. Provided your code is consistent with ours, you do not need to amend your existing code to comply with the CFA Institute Code.
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Review your organization's existing code of ethics, policies, and procedures in comparison to the Code and identify possible gaps or differences.
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Refer to the Appendix: Recommendations and Guidance (PDF) and review the interpretations and additional guidance (PDF) to help you determine whether your organization's procedures comply.
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Make revisions, as needed, to align with the Code.
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Complete this form if your organization is submitting its initial Asset Manager Code Compliance Notification Form.
If you want to update a previously submitted AMC Compliance Notification Form, use the Update Form instead.
In submitting this form, you indicate that through its code of ethics and/or policies and procedures, your organization complies with each principle and provision of the Asset Manager Code (the "Code"). Submission does not represent that CFA Institute engages in enforcement or quality control of an organization’s claim of compliance. CFA Institute does not verify the claim of compliance or actual compliance with the Code.
Fields marked with an asterisk * are required fields. All other fields are optional.
We currently require the contact information for two representatives. Both contacts will be notified when this form is submitted.
Organizations that claim compliance with the Asset Manager Code must submit this form annually, between 1 January and 30 June.
CFA Institute gathers and protects information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Tools and Resources
These resources can be used to assist you in reviewing and mapping your existing policies to the principles of the Asset Manager Code. Sample policies, procedures, and forms are provided as examples of the policies and language that can be used.
Implementation and Assessment Guide (PDF)
Sample Policies and Procedures (DOC)
Sample Forms (DOC)
Cross-reference Mapping Tool (DOC) and Cross-reference Mapping Template Grid (XLS)
Translations
All of the following are PDF documents.
Arabic The Code | Recommended Guidance
Chinese The Code | Recommended Guidance
Czech The Code |
English The Code | Recommended Guidance
French The Code | Recommended Guidance
German The Code | Recommended Guidance
Greek The Code |
Indonesian The Code | Recommended Guidance
Italian The Code | Recommended Guidance
Japanese The Code | Recommended Guidance
Korean The Code | Recommended Guidance
Mongolian The Code |
Portuguese The Code | Recommended Guidance
Russian The Code | Recommended Guidance
Spanish The Code | Recommended Guidance
Thai The Code | Recommended Guidance
Vietnamese The Code |