Lesson 7 of 9 · All lessons in this module
- Standard I: ProfessionalismVideo lesson
- Standard I cases: knowledge of the law and dissociation
- Standard I cases: pressure on analysts and performance staff
- Standard I cases: gifts, travel, manager selection and paid research
- Standard I cases: misrepresenting services, products and results
- Standard I cases: plagiarism, third-party material and online content
- Standard I cases: misconduct and competence
- Standard I cases (2027): what counts as professional conduct
- Standard I cases (2027): accurate, timely, complete and plain
This lesson is part of the 2027 curriculum. You are following the 2026 curriculum, where it is not taught in this form. Switch if you are sitting the exam under the 2027 curriculum.
Lesson 7 of 9 · 13 min
Standard I cases: misconduct and competence
Ask two things: did the conduct involve dishonesty or damage trust in your professional life, and did you have the knowledge and skill the role required before you acted? A bad result alone answers neither.
In short
- I(D) covers dishonesty, fraud and deceit and acts that reflect adversely on professional reputation, integrity or competence. It is aimed at conduct connected with professional life.
- Not every offence qualifies: peaceful civil disobedience for personal beliefs and a personal bankruptcy without fraud generally do not reflect on professional integrity.
- Failing to do the work counts: recommending without due diligence and leaning on someone else's analysis can breach the trust clients place in you.
- Raise it: when something wrong is happening inside your firm, gather proof, use the firm's reporting procedure, and consider the regulator if internal routes fail.
- I(E) is role-specific: competence means enough knowledge, skills and abilities for the job you actually hold, and it must be maintained and extended when the role changes.
- Outcomes and credentials mislead: a loss does not prove incompetence, and a degree or a pass mark does not prove competence.
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