Professional Ethics and Compliance study plan

Define the four core ethical principles and explain how each applies to a client-facing decision

Distinguish between a conflict of interest, a fiduciary duty, and a disclosure obligation using three original scenarios

Map the regulatory bodies and rule sources that govern professional conduct in your jurisdiction

List the escalation routes and reporting channels available when you identify a breach

Summarize the key obligations of the main conduct rules that apply to your role

Differentiate between rules that carry criminal, civil, and disciplinary consequences

Trace the steps of a regulatory inspection or information request from first contact to closure

Identify the records you must retain and for how long

Apply a structured ethical decision-making framework to three ambiguous dilemmas

Analyze how conflicts between commercial pressure and client interest are resolved under the rules

Explain the requirements for handling confidential information and personal data

Draft the key sections of a client engagement letter that address scope, fees, and conflicts

Define culture and conduct risk and explain how regulators assess it

Identify the behavioral drivers that lead to misconduct in financial and professional firms

Describe how incentives, remuneration, and performance targets shape conduct

Explain the purpose and mechanics of whistleblowing and speak-up arrangements

Analyze a published enforcement case and identify the conduct failures that preceded it

Explain the concept of individual accountability and how senior manager regimes allocate responsibility

Describe how firms design and test conduct risk metrics and management information

Outline the components of an effective conduct training and communications program

Explain how a firm sets and communicates its risk appetite and ethical tone from the top

Describe the three lines of defense model and the role of each line in conduct oversight

Identify the governance structures, committees, and reporting lines that support ethical decision-making

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different escalation and remediation approaches

Draft a short leadership statement that sets an ethical tone and explains expected behaviors

Design a remediation plan for a conduct failure, including root cause analysis and success measures

Explain how ethical leadership is assessed and how failures of leadership are sanctioned

Critique a firm's incentive structure and propose changes that align reward with conduct

Consolidate all four domains into a single revision outline with key terms and rule references

Complete two timed practice sets and review every incorrect answer against the source rule

Rehearse explaining an ethical dilemma aloud in under three minutes

Identify your three weakest areas and schedule targeted review before exam day