Pro bono work undertaken in support of the community is becoming increasingly popular for many professions. This paper entitled Everybody Wins: Pro Bono as a Hallmark of the Professional argues that "giving something back" to society through either in-kind gratis work for the public or volunteering in support of a worthy cause is as much a part of professionalism as passing exams, attaining qualifications or doing CPD. We discuss the pro bono tradition in other professions, describe how such work enriches all aspects of society including the donating practitioner and the profession, and list some initiatives undertaken by Personal Finance Society and CII members in recent years.

Our sixth paper in professionalism sets out our model for the Professional Standards Board proposed as part of the FSA's Retail Distribution Review. In an effort to bring the focus of the RDR debate back onto on the central themes of consumers and the public interest, the paper Building trust through independent standards: Our view on an Independent Professional Standards Board puts forward the body's benefits to both the public and the profession alike. It also summarises the key principles on how the body should look, and dispels some myths on its role and cost. Click here for an Executive Summary.

The CII’s fifth in the series of Papers in Professionalism focuses on the importance of Chartered status. The paper, The Stamp of Quality?, presents our recent consumer and member research on the value of the Chartered brand today. The key findings suggest that the public know and trust the Chartered mark more than any other professional designation. At a time when trust is a rare commodity, this makes Chartered more important and relevant than ever today. We hope you find this paper a useful contribution to our ongoing campaign to encourage and support professionals to achieve what is truly the ‘pinnacle of the profession’.

This fourth paper in the series looks at the role of CPD in building and maintaining a high level of professionalism. In the past, CPD has been seen by some to be a matter of routine compliance – just another box to tick. We believe that CPD can and must go way beyond box-ticking. As part of a package of standards of knowledge and behaviour, it is at the heart of what it means to be a professional. The purpose of this paper is to inform members and other interested parties about the key issues facing CPD today, in our sector and in the professions as a group. Beyond Box-Ticking seeks to encourage a practical and constructive debate amongst members and other industry stakeholders, as well as those in other professions who are having a similar discussion.

The CII’s third in the series of Papers in Professionalism puts forward a suggested structure for the new Retail Distribution Review (RDR) benchmark qualification (QCF level 4) proposed by the FSA in November 2008. The paper, The New Benchmark: A Model Advice Qualification Post-RDR at QCF Level 4, sets out a proposed model for the profession and other stakeholders to discuss and debate, including a recommendation of standard study time and degree of difficulty that should be applied by all qualification providers. This model was designed by a team of practitioners as part of the wider context of promoting professionalism. The new benchmark is not just about reaching a minimum standard – it is part of the ladder to greater professionalism in financial advice. We hope you find the paper a useful contribution to what is a critical debate.

In Spring 2008 we decided to undertake a review of our approach to professional ethics as a part of its wider work on the concept of new wave professionalism. We commissioned a specialist consultancy, Open Road, to conduct an independent and full review of all aspects of our ethical approach and processes. The review considered how to develop professional ethics across the industry and examines the full range of tools available to the CII to assist in this process, including training and education, member communications, structures, CPD and enforcement. Getting professional about ethics is a summary of Open Road’s report.

This paper was subsequently discussed at the CII Ethics Seminar on 22 June 2009. To listen to podcasts from the event click here.

In the first of this series, Twenty-First Century Professionalism, we give an overview of what professionalism means, how the professions have evolved, key challenges, and our vision for the future of professionalism. The paper identifies the key characteristics of the ‘new wave’ of professions, focusing outwards towards the public not just inwards to the profession itself.

A response to the FSA Retail Distribution Review by the CII and the PFS - Executive Summary

CII RDR Position Paper 5
Building trust and confidence in retail financial services

CII RDR Position Paper 2
Alphabet Soup: A new recipe?