As an Accredited Member Agency, or as an Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada (AFCC) designee, or, as a Subscriber with the Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment, I hereby pledge to:

• 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 counselling 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/counsellor 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 Province of Canada or any state, 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 Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment Executive Leadership Team and AFCC Certification Committees.
  

• Report any professional suspension, notice of infraction or violation by any governmental or industry regulatory authority of any kind.
  

• Make no false or misleading statements to the Executive Leadership Team of the Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment (formerly known as the Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services) or  their Certification Committees or AFCC Certification Council.
  

• Respond in a timely fashion to all requests of the Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment or their Certification Program Committees or their Professional Review Boards.
  

• Understand that the Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment may update these Code of Ethics at any time and will keep myself apprised to the standards set.
  

THIS CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS serves to enhance public confidence in the integrity and virtue of our all those who serve Canadians either through our certification, accreditation standards or by virtue of alignment and partnership, including our Board of Directors. Adherence to this Code is mandatory for all forms of membership, alignment and as part of certification for Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada program. Any professional in Canada that provides financial literacy education and counselling to any Canadian from any socioeconomic group should have the appropriate credential to attest to their ability to be trusted with any vulnerable consumer.