Standards Enforcement & Consumer Complaints

Canadians must be able to trust their financial planners are working in the best interests of their clients at all times. If you’ve worked with a CFP professional, you’ve likely heard of the professional Code of Ethics that guides their conduct regardless of where or for whom they work. If you are a CFP professional, you know it is adherence to this code that is the foundation upon which trust is built – trust in you and in your profession.

As the organization that sets and enforces all the CFP standards of competency, practice and ethics, FPSC vigilantly guards the trust Canadians have learned to place in CFP professionals. When that trust may have been broken, FPSC wants to know so it can take appropriate action.

FPSC addresses all concerns that come to its attention promptly. It thoroughly investigates all legitimate allegations of misconduct by CFP professionals through a process that is scrupulous and fair, and that is executed without bias by an independent ethics and practice committee under the direction of an independent Director of Enforcement. And, because financial professionals often hold more than one credential, FPSC works closely with other accrediting, licensing and law enforcement agencies and organizations when appropriate.

Where CFP professionals have been found to have breached the Code of Ethics for CFP professionals, FPSC imposes disciplinary actions ranging from a letter of admonishment up to permanent revocation of the right to use the CFP marks. And FPSC makes all disciplinary actions public, in part, by publishing a report on this website.

Everything you need to know about how to make your concerns about the actions of a CFP professional known to FPSC can be found in this section of the website.

Navigate through the five steps posted on the left to learn more about the rules and procedures pertaining to FPSC’s enforcement of the Code of Ethics, and how to make your concerns known to FPSC.

1. Making Your Concerns Known - Provides information on how to submit a complaint, including information on the required documentation and the steps taken by FPSC once it receives a formal complaint.

2. FPSC Disciplinary Rules and Procedures – Details the Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (the "Procedures") used by FPSC to enforce the Code of Ethics.

3. FPSC Disciplinary Reports – Provides information on current and past FPSC disciplinary hearings.

4. Code of Ethics for CFP professionals - Outlines the principles and rules that must be adhered to by all persons who have earned CFP certification and currently have the right to use the "CFP®", "Certified Financial Planner®" and CFP flame logo trademarks (collectively, the "Marks").

5. Other Oversight Bodies – Lists other organizations and regulatory bodies to whom complaints regarding the conduct of financial advisors may be lodged.