Lesson 17 of 34 · All lessons in this module
  1. Standard I: ProfessionalismVideo lesson
  2. Standard I cases: knowledge of the law and dissociation
  3. Standard I cases: pressure on analysts and performance staff
  4. Standard I cases: gifts, travel, manager selection and paid research
  5. Standard I cases: misrepresenting services, products and results
  6. Standard I cases: plagiarism, third-party material and online content
  7. Standard I cases: misconduct and competence
  8. Standard II: Integrity of Capital MarketsVideo lesson
  9. Standard II(A) cases: material, nonpublic or mosaic?
  10. Standard II(A) cases: tipping, experts and firm controls
  11. Standard II(B) cases: rumours, trades and intent
  12. Standard II cases: extra 2026 examples and procedures
  13. Standard III(A)–(B): Loyalty, Prudence, Care and Fair DealingVideo lesson
  14. Standard III(A) cases: client identity, loyalty and brokerage
  15. Standard III(B) cases: dissemination, allocation and priority
  16. Standard III(C)–(E): Suitability, Performance Presentation and ConfidentialityVideo lesson
  17. Standard III(C) cases: IPS, total portfolio and mandates
  18. Standard III(D) cases: fair, accurate and complete performance
  19. Standard III(E) cases: exceptions, channels and firm limits
  20. Standard IV: Duties to EmployersVideo lesson
  21. Standard IV(A) cases: loyalty, outside work and leaving
  22. Standard IV(B) and IV(C) cases: outside pay and supervision
  23. Standard V: Investment Analysis, Recommendations, and ActionsVideo lesson
  24. Standard V(A) cases: reasonable basis and outside research
  25. Standard V(A) cases: models, advisers and providers
  26. Standard V(B) cases: services, costs and process changes
  27. Standard V(B) cases: risks, limitations, facts and opinions
  28. Standard V(C) cases: records and retention
  29. Standard VI: Conflicts of InterestVideo lesson
  30. Standard VI(A) cases: avoiding and disclosing conflicts
  31. Standard VI(B) and VI(C) cases: who trades first and who gets paid
  32. Standard VII: Responsibilities as a CFA Institute Member or CFA CandidateVideo lesson
  33. Standard VII(A) cases: exams, confidentiality and volunteering
  34. Standard VII(B) cases: using the designation, membership and candidacy

Lesson 17 of 34 · 16 min

Standard III(C) cases: IPS, total portfolio and mandates

Suitability is judged against the client's written objectives and constraints, across the whole portfolio, and only by those in an advisory relationship; a mandate manager answers to the mandate.

In short

  • Before any recommendation or action, make a reasonable inquiry into experience, risk and return objectives and constraints. Recommending first and asking later is a breach.
  • The IPS is the reference point: client identification, objectives, eight constraints and benchmarks. Judge each idea by its effect on the total portfolio.
  • A risky holding can fit a portfolio, and a safe-looking one can fail the IPS (a lock-up fund in a liquid-assets mandate). Leverage and limited liquidity bear directly on suitability.
  • Review the IPS at least annually and when something material changes: the client's wealth, family, health or liquidity, an institution's liabilities or withdrawals, or a requested change of strategy.
  • Unsolicited unsuitable trade: pause, discuss, document. Small impact needs the client's acknowledgment; material impact needs an IPS update; an insistent client may force a decision about the relationship.
  • Mandate managers owe consistency with the mandate. Execution-only staff and sell-side analysts may not judge suitability, and suitability can rest only on the information the client provided.

Unlock this lesson free for 7 days

Create a free account to get 7 days free: every lesson, video and flashcard, and the question bank. No card needed.

Start your 7-day free trialLog in