MYCPE ONE

ARA Code of Conduct: Ethical Foundations for Retirement Practices 1 Credit 1 Credit

ARA Code of Conduct: Ethical Foundations for Retirement Practices 1 Credit 1 Credit

  • Rating

    4.7

  • Published on

    October, 2025

    Published on

    October, 2025

  • Subject Area

    Behavioral Ethics

Learning mode

E-Book
  • Access the course at your convenience
  • Take the assessment test
  • Get your certificate
  • Attend the live interactive session
  • Answer the polling questions
  • Get your certificate

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Learning Objectives

  • Discuss behavioral ethics and its role in professional conduct.
  • Identify key provisions of the ARA Code of Conduct.
  • Analyze ethical dilemmas using case-based reasoning.
  • Explain how Circular 230 governs professional responsibilities.
  • Explore methods to cultivate ethical culture within organizations.

Course Overview

Ethics is more than a set of rules it’s a reflection of who we are as professionals. For retirement plan practitioners, understanding ethical frameworks is vital to maintaining trust, credibility, and compliance in a regulated field. This CPE Ethics Course introduces the American Retirement Association (ARA) Code of Conduct, explores IRS Circular 230, and connects them with real-world behavioural ethics examples.

Through case studies and interactive analysis, participants will discover why even well-intentioned professionals sometimes make unethical choices and how to recognize these moments before they escalate. You’ll explore topics like groupthink, motivational blindness, and ethical fading psychological traps that can cloud decision-making. The course also explains how to build an ethical culture within your firm, emphasizing leadership accountability, communication, and organizational integrity.

Major Topics:

  • Behavioral Ethics Principles
  • Circular 230 Overview
  • ARA Code of Conduct
  • Building Ethical Culture
  • Real-World Case Studies

From advertising standards and confidentiality issues to social media conduct and fiduciary dilemmas, each section provides practical, relatable scenarios faced by professionals today. By the end, you’ll walk away with the tools to align your moral compass with professional standards and create a culture that values transparency and ethical action.

On Demand Credits for All Qualifications

License details Credits Status
Behavioral Ethics for Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) 1 CPE Approved
Retirement and Financial Independence Planning for Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) 1 CPD Eligible
Business Ethics for Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) 1 CE Eligible
Behavioral Ethics for Delaware Licensed Public Accountant (DE-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Federal ethics for Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) 1 CE Approved
Estate Planning for Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP) 1 CPD Eligible
Professional Ethics for Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) 1 CE Eligible
Business Ethics for Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Certified Fiduciary and Investment Risk Specialist (CFIRS) 1 CE Eligible
Behavioral Ethics for Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA)/Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) 1 CE Eligible
Business Ethics for Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP) 1 CE Eligible
Business Ethics for Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) 1 CE Eligible
Behavioral Ethics for Iowa Licensed Public Accountant (IA-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Business Ethics for Chartered Advisor in Senior Living (CASL) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Qualified Pension Administrator(QPA) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Associated Professional Member(APM) 1 CE Eligible
Behavioral Ethics for Maine Licensed Public Accountant (ME-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Professional Ethics for Nonqualified Plan Consultant (NQPC) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for 401(k) Rollover Specialist ((k)RS) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Tax-Exempt and Governmental Plan Consultant (TGPC) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Qualified 401(k) Consultant(QKC) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) 1 CE Eligible
Business Ethics for Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Certified Plan Sponsor Professional (CPSP) 1 CE Eligible
License details Credits Status
Behavioral Ethics for Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) 1 CPE Approved
Retirement and Financial Independence Planning for Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) 1 CPD Eligible
Business Ethics for Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) 1 CE Eligible
Behavioral Ethics for Delaware Licensed Public Accountant (DE-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Federal ethics for Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) 1 CE Approved
Estate Planning for Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP) 1 CPD Eligible
Professional Ethics for Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) 1 CE Eligible
Business Ethics for Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Certified Fiduciary and Investment Risk Specialist (CFIRS) 1 CE Eligible
Behavioral Ethics for Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA)/Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) 1 CE Eligible
Business Ethics for Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP) 1 CE Eligible
Business Ethics for Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) 1 CE Eligible
Behavioral Ethics for Iowa Licensed Public Accountant (IA-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Business Ethics for Chartered Advisor in Senior Living (CASL) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Qualified Pension Administrator(QPA) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Associated Professional Member(APM) 1 CE Eligible
Behavioral Ethics for Maine Licensed Public Accountant (ME-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Professional Ethics for Nonqualified Plan Consultant (NQPC) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for 401(k) Rollover Specialist ((k)RS) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Tax-Exempt and Governmental Plan Consultant (TGPC) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Qualified 401(k) Consultant(QKC) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) 1 CE Eligible
Business Ethics for Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC) 1 CE Eligible
Professional Ethics for Certified Plan Sponsor Professional (CPSP) 1 CE Eligible

Additional Information

Credit

1

Course Level

Basic

Instructional Method

QAS Self Study

Group Internet Based

Pre-requisites

None

Advance Preparation

None

NASBA APPROVED

MY-CPE LLC, 1600 Highway 6 south, suite 250, sugar land, TX, 77478

MY-CPE LLC is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

IRS APPROVED

MY-CPE LLC, 1600 Highway 6 south, suite 250, sugar land, TX, 77478

MY-CPE LLC (Sponsor Id#: GEHNZ) has entered into an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service, to meet the requirements of 31 Code of Federal Regulations, section 10.6(g), covering aintenance of attendance records, retention of program outlines, qualifications of instructors, and length of class hours. This agreement does not constitute an endorsement by the IRS as to the quality of the program or its contribution to the professional competence of the enrolled individual. Credit earned by attendees with a PTIN will be reported directly to the IRS as required of all providers. To ensure your CPE hours are reported, update your profile in My Account to include your PTIN number. Please note: IRS CE is only mandatory for EAs and ERPAs. For all other tax return preparers, CE is voluntary.

About Author

Imtiaz Munshi

Imtiaz Munshi CPA (US)

CFO/Controller, AZSTEC LLC

  • 4.4
  • rating
  • rating
  • rating
  • rating
  • rating

The author Imtiaz Munshi is a Certified Public Accountant and CFO at Azstec, LLC. He is Business Strategist, Tax Planner, Entrepreneur and Advisor to "HNEs" (High Net Worth Entrepreneurs).

On Demand FAQs

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How do I earn CPE credits through self-study?

To earn CPE credits, you must complete the self-study course, pass the required assessments, and submit the necessary documentation. Credits are awarded based on the completion of course hours and successfully passing the assessments.

Are the self-study courses accepted by NASBA and other professional organizations?

MY-CPE LLC courses are accepted for continuing education credit by various professional certification programs, including NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, and HRCI. MY-CPE LLC is also recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® and SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

What are the requirements to maintain compliance with self-study courses?

To maintain compliance, you must follow the guidelines set by NASBA and other regulatory bodies, which include completing the course within the specified timeframe, passing the assessments, and keeping accurate records of your learning activities.

How can I access my course completion certificates?

After successfully completing a self-study course and passing the assessments, you can access and download your course completion certificates from your account dashboard on our platform. These certificates are recognized by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other professional organizations for compliance and reporting purposes.

How are credits reported to governing bodies?

We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days – the fastest in the industry.

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ARA Code of Conduct: Ethical Foundations for Retirement Practices

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    Multiple Credits

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    Certifications & Reporting

    We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days - fastest in the industry.

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