Ethical and Unethical Practices in Finance:-
Finance is the core or we can say the Backbone of the Business, finance is the money matters of a firm which consists of raising and handling money for an organization.
Code of Conduct for finance:-
Our integrity and reputation depend on our ability to do the right thing, even when it’s not the easy thing. The Code of Conduct is a collection of rules and principles intended to assist employees and directors in making decisions about their conduct in relation to the firm’s business. The Code is based on the fundamental understanding that we are all responsible for conducting business ethically and no one should ever sacrifice integrity — or give the impression that they have — even if they think it would help the firm’s business.
Ethics in finance:-
- Profit, but Not at Any Cost
A modern, capitalist economy has at its very foundation the principle of profit. Without a surplus, or profit, the economy doesn’t work. As such, financial services professionals are obliged to pursue a profit as the result of their activities. However, a modern economy only works if that profit is earned within a framework of rules and regulations that apply and are adhered to by everyone. Financial services are obliged to pursue profit maximization within the applicable framework and not by seeking an advantage by conducting activities that could be considered outside of that framework. Like sprinters competing in the 100 meters, the conditions should be the same for all competitors and the race conducted in an ‘honorable’ fashion.
- The Client’s Interests First
Financial Services is a wide sector and the ‘client’ may take many shapes and forms. At the highest level, in the case of a country’s central bank, the ‘client’ would be at one step removed the ‘Government’, and ultimately the population of the country. At another level further down the ladder, the ‘client’ would be the investors in a fund or the private investor whose money a CFA® charterholder manages. Whoever the ‘client’ might be, an ethical approach to Financial Services will always put the client’s interests first. A doctor is paid but receives that payment on the understanding that their primary responsibility is to look after the health of their patients, not their own financial wellbeing. A doctor whose work routinely meant that the health of their patients suffered, would not receive their salary for long. In the same way, Financial Services should see their own income as reward for improving the financial health of their clients. There is nothing wrong with a fund or its manager making money, but their profit should not come at the expense of their clients. A truly ethical Financial Services industry would not see a small profit eaten up by fees, leaving the client with far less gain, or even a loss, while the financial services professionals and company supposedly working for that client make a tidy profit.
- A Commitment to Excellence
An ethical approach to financial services would see professionals and the organizations that they represent constantly striving to do the best job they possibly can under the circumstances. This means avoiding a mentality of doing ‘enough’, and stopping there. Commitment to both excellent results and technical accuracy in each step of the processes leading to that result is required.
- Ethics Prioritized Over Client Instruction
Of course, unethical behavior in Financial Services can also be provoked by clients themselves. Whether it be through strong encouragement to help them minimize tax within the gray areas of international tax law, or any other activity that could be interpreted as giving them an unfair advantage, it is far from uncommon for financial services professionals to be put under pressure by their clients to conduct activities they may not consider ethical. Financial Services run ethically will prioritize ethical conduct even when by doing so they may decline to undertake activities expressly requested by the client, even at the risk of losing that client’s business.
- Legal is Not Always Ethical
While legal and regulatory frameworks are, in theory, in place to govern ethical practice in Financial Services, there may be many instances where a particular course of action may be considered unethical despite not directly contravening laws or regulations. The legal framework governing Financial Services is not perfect and finding loopholes or other means to circumvent it is common. In fact, many areas of Financial Services specialize in doing just that. However, ethical Financial Services means choosing not to act in a certain way, or perform certain activities, despite the fact that doing so may not technically mean breaking any laws. Choosing not to exploit technicalities that may mean an activity is legal because it is considered unethical is the mark of a truly ethical approach.
Unethical practices in finance:-
. Deliberate abnormal delays in payments to (a) Vendors, (b) Dealers commissions and promotion costs.
ii. Delays in paying wages, interest to financiers, incentive, bonus to employees.
iii. Holding up bills of vendors on silly reasons and ultimately buying from others to avoid payment to earlier vendors.
iv. Not prompt in statutory payments of ESI, PF, Sales Tax and Excise Duties.
