The
Rules
Introduction
As
previously stated, The Canons apply to all CSA designees. However,
due to the nature of a particular designees field of activity,
certain of The Rules may not be applicable to that designee. The
universe of endeavors by Certified Senior Advisors is, indeed,
diverse; a particular CSA designee may be performing all, some
or none of the typical services provided by professionals. As
a result, in considering The Rules, a CSA must first recognize
what specific services he/she is rendering and then determine
whether or not a specific Rule is applicable to those services.
Rules
that Relate to the Canon of Competence
Rule
101: A CSA designee shall keep informed of developments in
his/her area of activity and participate in continuing education
throughout his/her professional career in order to improve professional
competence in all fields in which the designee is involved. As
a distinct part of this requirement, the CSA designee shall satisfy
all minimum continuing education requirements established by his/her
licensing authority and the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.
Rule
102: A CSA designee shall offer advice only in those areas
that the CSA has competence. In those areas that the CSA is not
professionally competent, he/she shall seek the counsel of qualified
individuals and/or refer clients to such persons.
Rules
that Relate to Confidentiality
Rule
201: A CSA designee shall not reveal or use for his/her benefit,
without the clients consent, any personally identifiable
information relating to the client relationship or the affairs
of the client, except and to the extent that disclosure or use
is reasonably necessary:
(a)
To establish an advisory or brokerage account, to effect a transaction
for the client, or as otherwise authorized in order to carry out
the client engagement; or
(b)
To comply with legal requirements or legal process; or
(c)
To defend the CSA designee against charges of wrongdoing; or
(d) To defend the CSA designee in connection with a civil dispute
between the CSA
designee and the client.
For
the purposes of this rule, the proscribed use of client information
is improper, regardless of whether it actually causes harm to
the client.
Rule
202: A CSA designee shall maintain the same standards of confidentiality
to employers as to clients.
Rule
203: A CSA designee doing business as a partner or principal
of a firm owes to his/her partners or co-owners a responsibility
to act in good faith. Good faith includes, but is not limited
to, adherence to reasonable expectations of confidentiality both
while in business together and thereafter.
Rules
that Relate to the Principle of Professionalism
Rule
301: A CSA designee shall use the designation in compliance
with the rules and regulations of the Society of Certified Senior
Advisors, as established and amended from time to time.
Rule
302: A CSA designee shall show respect for other professionals
and related occupational groups by engaging in fair and honorable
competitive practices.
Rule
303: A CSA designee who has knowledge that is not required
to be kept confidential under this Code that another CSA designee
has committed a violation of this Code, which raises substantial
questions as to that designees honesty, trustworthiness
or fitness as a CSA designee, shall promptly notify the CSA Board
of Standards. For purposes of this Rule, knowledge means no substantial
doubt.
Rule
304: A CSA designee who has knowledge that is not required
to be kept confidential under this Code which raises a
substantial question of unprofessional, fraudulent or illegal
conduct by a CSA designee or other person shall promptly
inform the appropriate regulatory and/or professional disciplinary
body, as well as the CSA Board of Standards. For purposes of this
Rule, knowledge means no substantial doubt.
Rule
305: A CSA designee who has reason to suspect illegal conduct
within the designees organization shall make timely disclosure
of the available evidence to the designees immediate supervisor
and/or partners or co-owners. If the CSA designee is convinced
that illegal conduct exists within the designees organization,
and that appropriate measures are not being taken to remedy the
problem, the CSA designee shall, where appropriate, alert the
proper regulatory authorities, including the CSA Board of Standards.
Rule
306: In all professional activities, a CSA designee shall
perform services in accordance with:
(a)
Applicable laws, rules and regulations of governmental agencies
and other applicable authorities; and
(b)
Applicable rules, regulations and other established policies of
the Board of Standards of the Society.
Rule
307: A CSA designee shall not engage in any conduct that reflects
adversely on his/her integrity or fitness as a CSA designee or
the Society.
Rule
308: A CSA designee shall return a clients original
records in a timely manner when the client requests them.
Rule
309: A CSA designee shall exercise reasonable and prudent
professional judgment in providing professional services.
Rule
310: A CSA designee shall always act in the best interest
of the client.
Rules
that Relate to Fairness
Rule
401: A CSA designee shall, in rendering services to a client,
disclose:
(a)
All material information relevant to the professional relationship,
including but not limited to conflict(s) of interest(s), changes
in the CSA designees business affiliation, address, telephone
number, credentials, qualifications, licenses, and agency relationships,
as well as the designees scope of authority within the agency.
(b)
The information required by all laws applicable to the relationship
in a manner that complies with such laws.
Rule
402: A CSA designee who practices financial planning shall
make timely written disclosure of all material information relative
to the professional relationship, including conflict(s) of interest(s)
and sources and amount of compensation, as well as the following:
(a)
A statement setting forth the philosophy of the CSA designee (or
his/her firm) in working with clients, and
(b)
Resumes of principals and employees of the firm who are expected
to provide services to the client, as well as a description of
those services.
Rule
403: A CSA designees compensation shall be fair, reasonable,
and clearly disclosed.
Rule
404: A CSA designee who is an employee shall perform professional
services with dedication to the lawful objectives of the employer
and in accordance with this Code.
Rule
405: Prior to establishing a professional relationship, a
CSA designee may provide the prospective client references and
recommendations from present or former clients, provided that
such references and recommendations do not violate the confidentiality
provisions of the Code.
Rules
that Relate to Integrity
Rule 501: A CSA designee shall not solicit clients through
false or misleading communications or advertisements, either written
or oral.
Rule
502: A CSA designee shall not, during the course of rendering
professional services, engage in conduct that involves dishonesty,
fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, or knowingly make a false
or misleading statement to a client, employer, employee, professional
colleague, governmental or other regulatory body or official,
or any other person or entity.
Rule
503: A CSA designee shall not give the impression to a client
or prospective client that the designee is representing the views
of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors or any other group,
unless the designee has been expressly authorized to do so. The
designees personal opinions shall be clearly identified
as such.
Rule
504: A CSA designee is prohibited from the unauthorized or
misleading use of Society-approved credentials.
Rule
505: A CSA designee shall conduct him/herself with honor and
dignity.
Rules
that Relate to Diligence
Rule
601: A CSA designee shall act promptly in serving clients,
employers, principals, and other users of the designees
services.
Rule
602: A CSA designee shall carefully evaluate a clients
circumstances prior to making a recommendation, and the designee
shall make and/or implement only those recommendations that are
appropriate for the client.
Rule
603: A CSA designee shall properly supervise subordinates
with regard to their delivery of services to the client, and the
designee shall not accept or otherwise condone any subordinates
conduct that is in violation of this Code.
Rule
604: A CSA designee shall use the CSA designation only if
the CSA is in good standing with the CSA Board of Standards and
the Society of Certified Senior Advisors and is current with the
annual license fee.
We
invite you to review the Letter from the
President.
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