CPH® (Conduct and Practices Handbook) Course

Your Path to Professional Standards in the Canadian Securities Industry

The Conduct and Practices Handbook (CPH) is a crucial step for anyone seeking to register with the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) or comply with Canada’s robust provincial securities regulations. This guide provides clear, thorough explanations of rules, ethical guidelines, and best practices—empowering you to align with the highest professional standards and client protection mandates.

What Makes This Resource Stand Out?

1. Straightforward Explanations
   We break down the most complex CIRO rules and provincial requirements into digestible sections. Gain the clarity you need to master compliance, suitability, and disclosure obligations without feeling overwhelmed.

2. 10 FREE Sample Questions per Page
   Practice is core to understanding the intricacies of Canadian securities regulations. Each page includes scenario‐based questions reflecting real exam challenges—reinforcing your learning step by step.

3. Extensive Quiz Bank
   Strengthen your knowledge with thousands of additional quizzes covering everything from registration categories and ethical codes to know‐your‐client (KYC) procedures and handling of confidential information.

4. Community-Driven & Open Source
   Our collaborative approach ensures that the information is always up‐to‐date and vetted by industry peers. You’re welcome to contribute real‐life examples, clarify new guidelines, or expand on any section via GitHub.

Topics Covered

We align our chapters with the official CPH course curriculum and regulatory guidelines, including:

• CIRO Oversight and Provincial Securities Regulation
• Registration Categories and Licensing Requirements
• Ethics & Professional Conduct (code of ethics, fiduciary duties, conflict of interest)
• Client‐Focused Reforms (KYC, KYP, and suitability obligations)
• Handling of Client Accounts (complaint handling, dispute resolution)
• Compliance Frameworks (reporting, record keeping, operational controls)
• Anti‐Money Laundering (AML) and Anti‐Terrorist Financing Regulations
• Enforcement and Disciplinary Processes (roles of CIRO, provincial commissions)

Each chapter is broken into succinct topics so you can strategically focus your study.

Why Contribute?

• Collaborative Expertise: Share your regulatory insights, practical cases, or clarifications. Real‐world scenarios from different firm types help future candidates truly grasp the nuances of compliance.
• Keep Current: Securities regulations and CIRO guidelines can change. With community feedback, we can maintain an updated resource reflecting the latest amendments and policy decisions.
• Enhance Mastery: Explaining compliance topics to others is one of the best ways to confirm your own understanding—especially for a principles‐based exam like the CPH.

Ready to Elevate Your Professional Knowledge?

1. Explore Each Chapter: Delve into the core topics of registration, conduct, and practices.
2. Test and Refine: Capitalize on free sample questions and the broader quiz bank to solidify your command of ethics and compliance concepts.
3. Collaborate on GitHub: Discuss new rules, share client‐facing scenarios, or propose clarifications to existing material.
4. Focus on Growth: The CPH exam isn’t just a requirement—it’s a quintessential tool for building trust, credibility, and success in your securities career.

Master the CPH for a Successful Investment Career

By merging up‐to‐date regulatory know‐how, practical learning tools, and a supportive community, this open‐source resource helps you navigate the Conduct and Practices Handbook with ease. Gain the confidence to meet and exceed Canada’s highest standards in ethical financial advice.

Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace official CPH course materials or CSI guidelines. CSI does not endorse or warrant the accuracy of the information provided. Always refer to CIRO and provincial regulations for official requirements.

In this section

• Chapter 1: Standards of Conduct and Ethics
  • Standards of Conduct and Ethics: Essential Guidelines for Securities Professionals
    Explore the fundamental standards of conduct and ethics governing securities professionals in Canada, including integrity, fairness, transparency, and compliance with CIRO regulations. Learn how ethical practices protect clients, prevent misconduct, and maintain public trust in financial markets.
  • Integrating Ethics with Industry Rules: A Comprehensive Guide for Financial Professionals
    Explore how financial professionals can effectively integrate ethical principles with industry rules and regulatory compliance, enhancing organizational integrity and fostering ethical decision-making.
  • Rules of Thumb for Registered Representatives: Ethical Conduct and Best Practices
    Explore essential rules of thumb guiding registered representatives in ethical decision-making, prioritizing client interests, transparent communication, due diligence, confidentiality, conflict management, and continuous professional development.
• Chapter 2: Ethical Decision Making
  • Ethics in Finance: An Overview of Ethical Principles and Standards
    Explore the fundamental principles and standards of ethics in the financial industry, including honesty, transparency, accountability, and integrity. Understand how ethical behavior fosters trust, protects investors, and ensures market integrity.
  • Values, Ethics, and the Law: Understanding Their Relationships in Financial Services
    Explore how values, ethics, and laws interconnect in financial services, guiding professionals in ethical decision-making, compliance, and fostering integrity beyond legal obligations.
  • Value Awareness: Aligning Personal and Professional Ethics in Financial Services
    Explore the importance of value awareness in financial services, understanding personal and organizational values, and how aligning these values fosters ethical decision-making, trust, and effective client relationships.
  • Ethical Dilemmas in Finance: Navigating Conflicts, Confidentiality, and Compliance
    Explore common ethical dilemmas faced by financial professionals, including conflicts of interest, confidentiality breaches, insider trading, and suitability concerns. Learn practical strategies for recognizing, addressing, and documenting ethical challenges effectively.
• Chapter 3: The Canadian Regulatory Framework
  • Securities Regulation in Canada: General Principles and Framework
    Explore the foundational principles of securities regulation in Canada, including investor protection, market fairness, transparency, and systemic risk management, within the collaborative regulatory structure led by provincial and territorial regulators and the CSA.
  • Key Government Players Involved in Securities Regulation in Canada
    Explore the roles and responsibilities of key government and regulatory bodies involved in Canadian securities regulation, including provincial regulators, CSA, CIRO, OSFI, Bank of Canada, Department of Finance, and FINTRAC.
  • CIRO: Canada's Self-Regulatory Organization for Investment Dealers and Marketplaces
    Explore the role and responsibilities of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), Canada's primary self-regulatory body overseeing investment dealers, mutual fund dealers, and marketplace activities. Learn about CIRO's regulatory framework, enforcement mechanisms, proficiency standards, and its commitment to investor protection.
  • Investor Protection Funds: Understanding CIPF and CIRO's Role in Protecting Canadian Investors
    Explore how investor protection funds like the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) safeguard investor assets in Canada, including coverage limits, eligibility criteria, and CIRO's regulatory oversight post-amalgamation.
  • Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in the Securities Industry: AML and ATF Compliance Explained
    Explore the critical role of anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-terrorist financing (ATF) compliance in Canada's securities industry. Learn about regulatory requirements, client identification (KYC), transaction monitoring, reporting to FINTRAC, and employee training to safeguard financial integrity.
• Chapter 4: Working with Clients
  • Registered Representative Registration Requirements: CIRO Guidelines and Best Practices
    Explore the essential registration requirements for Registered Representatives (RRs) under CIRO, including proficiency standards, continuous education, disclosure obligations, and compliance best practices.
  • Effective Communication with the Public: CIRO Guidelines and Best Practices
    Learn essential guidelines and best practices for Registered Representatives (RRs) to communicate effectively and compliantly with the public, including advertising, social media, and client correspondence under CIRO regulations.
  • Sales Literature Regulations: CIRO Guidelines for Accuracy, Fairness, and Compliance
    Explore comprehensive guidelines for sales literature under CIRO Rule 3600, ensuring accuracy, fairness, clarity, and compliance in financial communications.
  • Dealing with Clients: Best Practices for Registered Representatives
    Explore essential practices for Registered Representatives (RRs) in effectively dealing with clients, including ethical obligations, clear communication, confidentiality, conflict of interest management, and adherence to KYC and suitability requirements.
  • Privacy and Cybersecurity: Protecting Client Information in the Financial Industry
    Explore essential privacy and cybersecurity practices for Registered Representatives (RRs) and financial firms in Canada, including compliance with PIPEDA, cybersecurity training, incident response planning, secure communication, and client education.
• Chapter 5: Client Discovery and Account Opening
  • Opening Accounts: Comprehensive Guide to CIRO Compliance and Best Practices
    Explore the detailed process of opening investment accounts in Canada, including CIRO compliance, AML and ATF regulations, client identification, and best practices for securities professionals.
  • New Account Application Form (NAAF): Essential Guide for Client Account Opening in Canada
    Explore the comprehensive guide on the New Account Application Form (NAAF), covering essential client information, regulatory compliance, suitability assessments, and best practices for Canadian investment professionals.
  • Completing the New Account Application Form (NAAF): Essential Guidelines and Best Practices
    Learn how to accurately complete the New Account Application Form (NAAF), ensuring regulatory compliance, effective client relationship management, and alignment with client investment objectives and risk tolerance.
  • Disclosures in Securities Industry: Ensuring Transparency and Client Protection
    Explore the essential role of disclosures in the Canadian securities industry, including clear communication of fees, commissions, conflicts of interest, and investment risks. Learn best practices for advisors and firms to maintain compliance with CSA Client Focused Reforms.
  • Client Records: Essential Record-Keeping Practices for Investment Professionals
    Learn the critical importance of maintaining accurate, complete, and secure client records in compliance with CIRO Rule 3800 and Canadian privacy laws. Explore best practices, cybersecurity measures, and practical examples for effective client record management.
• Chapter 6: Product Due Diligence, Recommendations, and Advice
  • Suitability of Investments and Investment Strategies: Ensuring Client-Centric Recommendations
    Explore the critical aspects of investment suitability, including assessing financial situations, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and client knowledge. Learn best practices for aligning investment strategies with client needs, maintaining compliance, and enhancing client relationships.
  • Product Due Diligence: Comprehensive Guide for Investment Professionals
    Master the essentials of product due diligence, including issuer analysis, product structure evaluation, risk assessment, performance history review, and regulatory compliance, to confidently recommend investments to clients.
  • New Issues and Prospectus Exemptions: Navigating Regulatory Requirements and Exempt Market Opportunities
    Explore the regulatory landscape of new securities issues in Canada, including detailed insights into prospectus requirements, exemptions such as Accredited Investor, Minimum Amount Investment, Private Issuer, and Offering Memorandum exemptions, and key compliance considerations for investment professionals.
  • Take-over Bids and Issuer Bids: Understanding Regulatory Requirements and Best Practices in Canada
    Explore the regulatory framework, disclosure obligations, and procedural requirements for take-over bids and issuer bids in Canada. Learn how to differentiate between these bids, understand minority shareholder protections, and effectively communicate bid-related information to clients.
• Chapter 7: Trading, Settlement, and Prohibited Activities
  • How Securities Are Traded: Understanding Trading Mechanisms and Market Participants
    Explore how securities trading operates in Canada, including the roles of brokerage firms, market makers, and trading venues like TSX, ATS, and OTC markets, guided by CIRO regulations.
  • Types of Orders: Market, Limit, Stop, and More Explained
    Explore the various types of trading orders including market, limit, stop-loss, stop-limit, day, GTC, FOK, and IOC orders. Understand their uses, advantages, risks, and how to choose the right order type for your investment strategy.
  • Sales and Trading Conduct: Ensuring Integrity and Compliance in Canadian Securities
    Explore CIRO's mandated standards for sales and trading conduct, emphasizing honesty, suitability, disclosure, and compliance to protect investors and maintain market integrity.
  • Prohibited Activities: Insider Trading, Market Manipulation, and Unethical Practices Explained
    Explore prohibited trading activities under CIRO regulations, including insider trading, market manipulation, front running, churning, and unauthorized trading. Learn how to identify, prevent, and report unethical practices to maintain market integrity.
  • Settlements, Transfers, and Corrections: Ensuring Smooth Securities Transactions
    Explore the critical processes of settlements, transfers, and corrections in securities trading. Understand Canada's T+2 settlement cycle, how transfers between brokerage accounts work, and best practices for addressing and rectifying trade errors to maintain compliance and efficiency.
• Chapter 8: Maintaining Client Accounts and Relationships
  • Accounting for Client Transactions: Best Practices for Investment Dealers
    Explore essential accounting practices for investment dealers, including accurate transaction documentation, regulatory compliance, reconciliation processes, and internal controls to maintain client trust and meet CIRO standards.
  • Margin Accounts Explained: Understanding Risks, Regulations, and Best Practices
    Explore margin accounts in-depth, including how they work, associated risks like margin calls, CIRO regulations, and best practices for managing client leverage effectively.
  • Cash Accounts Explained: Settlement Rules, Regulations, and Best Practices
    Discover everything you need to know about cash accounts, including settlement cycles, CIRO regulations, and best practices for managing client transactions effectively.
  • Communicating Trading Information to Customers: Essential Guidelines for Investment Dealers
    Learn the essential guidelines investment dealers must follow when communicating trading information to customers, including trade confirmations, account statements, CIRO regulations, and best practices for transparency and compliance.
  • Client Complaints and Account Transfer Requests: CIRO Guidelines and Best Practices
    Explore comprehensive guidelines and best practices for handling client complaints and account transfer requests in Canada's investment industry, ensuring compliance with CIRO regulations and enhancing client relationships.
• Chapter 9: Putting it All Together
  • Good Conduct and Practices: Comprehensive Review for Securities Professionals
    Explore essential principles of good conduct and practices in the Canadian securities industry, emphasizing ethical standards, regulatory compliance, and professional integrity to enhance client relationships and mitigate risks.
  • Investment Suitability and Client Management: Case Study of The Chengs' Accounts
    Explore a detailed case study of the Cheng family, illustrating effective client discovery, KYC assessments, suitability analyses, product due diligence, conflict management, and ethical investment practices.