Code of Ethics
The Ontario and Canadian Association's of Credit Counselling Services, in partnership with the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) is committed to promoting the highest of ethical standards for financial practitioners. Certified counsellors are required to adhere to a professional code of ethics in order to maintain their designation and certification as Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada® (AFCC®) designees.
Certified Counsellors pledge to maintain the following ethical standards
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- Conduct myself in a credible manner, striving for excellence in providing services with competency, diligence, promptness and care to the best of my ability.
- Grow in professional practices, keeping abreast of industry developments and striving to improve my professional competency through continuing education.
- Exhibit personal and professional honesty and integrity in advising and counseling clients.
- Recognize my limitations and refer clients when appropriate.
- Maintain high standards of ethical conduct according to the objectives of the institution with which I am affiliated.
- Respect the privacy of clients and the confidentially of the client/counselor relationship in all matters pertaining to the course of professional service, revealing client information of any kind to others only with the expressed, informed consent of the client.
- Accept compensation that is fair and reasonable, and assist clients in finding other services if my fees are not affordable.
- Avoid any act or omission which violates the relevant criminal laws of any State of the United States or any province, territory, or jurisdiction of any other country.
- Report any felony related to the practice of the profession or which brings disrepute to the profession or any lesser crime which involves misrepresentation, fraud, extortion, misappropriation or theft or any conspiracy to commit such a crime to the AFCPE® Executive Board.
- Report any professional suspension by a governmental or industry self-regulatory authority of a license.
- Make no false or misleading statements to the Executive Board of AFCPE®, its Certification Program Committee or its Professional Review Board.
- Respond in a timely fashion to all requests of the Executive Board of AFCPE®, its Certification Program Committee or its Professional Review Board.
*AFCPE® Code of Ethics as Adapted with permission from the American Psychological Association Code of Ethics
THIS CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS serves to enhance public confidence in the integrity and virtue of our accredited and certified Professionals. Adherence to this Code is required for membership in addition to certification for Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada designees.