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ICFDT · Professional Standards

CFOA Professional Conduct & Complaints

Every CFOA certificant is bound by the Code of Professional Conduct as a condition of certification. This page describes the Code, how to file a complaint, and how complaints are reviewed and sanctioned.

The Standard

The Code of Professional Conduct.

CFOA certificants commit, in writing, at the point of certification, to the following obligations. These obligations remain in force for the life of the certification.

01IntegrityAct with honesty and integrity in all professional dealings, and never misrepresent qualifications, experience, or the risk characteristics of any derivatives position or strategy under their responsibility.
02CompetenceMaintain the knowledge the certification reflects, keep current with developments in derivatives markets and risk management practice, and decline responsibilities that exceed their competence.
03Duty of careWhere derivatives positions materially influence investment or client outcomes, exercise the independent professional judgment that fiduciary and regulatory obligations require, including the accurate assessment, disclosure, and management of risk.
04CandourRepresent the CFOA designation accurately, use the marks only while the certification is Active, and cooperate fully with any ICFDT conduct inquiry.
05Respect for lawComply with applicable securities, derivatives, and market-conduct regulation in every jurisdiction in which they practice.
Filing a complaint

Any member of the public, whether clients, employers, regulators, or other professionals, may file a complaint about the conduct of a CFOA certificant. No fee, no form, no standing requirement.

How: email conduct@icfdt.com with (i) the certificant's name or certificate number, (ii) a description of the conduct, and (iii) any supporting material. Anonymous complaints are accepted, though they may limit what the Panel can investigate.

Acknowledgement: within five business days.

Review Process

How complaints are reviewed.

1
IntakeComplaint logged; preliminary assessment of whether the Code is engaged. Complaints outside the Code's scope are closed with written reasons.
10 business days
2
Notice & responseThe certificant is notified of the substance of the complaint and given the opportunity to respond in writing.
21 days to respond
3
Panel reviewThe Professional Conduct Panel, which includes at least one member of the independent Standards Council, reviews the complaint, the response, and the record.
30 days
4
DeterminationWritten finding issued to both parties. Where a violation is found, a sanction is imposed.
—
5
AppealA sanctioned certificant may appeal to the Standards Council within 30 days. The Council's decision is final.
45 days
Sanctions

Sanctions are proportionate to the conduct and may include:

Private censureMandatory remedial educationSuspensionRevocation

Where a certification is suspended or revoked, the underlying certificate is updated in Certifier so that it no longer verifies as an active CFOA credential. Revocations are permanent unless overturned on appeal.

Misuse of the marks by non-certificants

Use of the CFOA designation by an individual who does not hold an active certification may be reported to conduct@icfdt.com. The ICFDT pursues misrepresentation of its marks. A genuine certification can always be confirmed through the holder's Certifier verification link.