The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has expelled a member for cheating
during his final attempt at the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification exam.
The Conduct Review Commission (CRC) found Shylesh Sriranjan of Melbourne guilty of
breaching the FPA’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practice by using information obtained from another exam candidate during a CFP® certification exam, by means of swapping exam papers. The determination was made on 21 December 2016.
The CRC, an independent body put in place to ensure members are held accountable for
misconduct, has responsibility under the FPA Constitution and the FPA Disciplinary Regulation for determining disciplinary actions brought by the FPA against members.
Dante De Gori CFP®, CEO of the FPA, said the CRC plays a vital role in regulating the conduct of FPA members and upholding the highest ethical standards within the financial planning profession.
“Our world class Code of Professional Practice is a key component of our Professional
Framework that fosters high professional standards and consumer protection. Any breach of the FPA Code is taken very seriously as it undermines the reputation of all members.
“The CRC has deemed this expulsion to be appropriate for the protection of the profession,
particularly its public standing and the confidence of the public in its members. Expulsion from FPA membership includes loss of access to a number of benefits.”
The CRC is also currently determining sanctions relating to Darren Tindall of Orange NSW, who was found to have engaged in misleading, deceptive, dishonest and fraudulent conduct to obtain life insurance for a client who was otherwise unlikely to obtain it; and committed a serious breach of privacy involving a number of client records.
An announcement on the CRC’s determination relating to Mr Tindall’s professional standards breach will be made shortly.
For more information on professional accountability and the FPA’s disciplinary process visit http://fpa.com.au/professionalism/professional-accountability/
SOURCE: Financial Planning Association of Australia
