CFA Level 1 Question of the Week – Ethical and Professional Standards

Question

Mark Johnson is an analyst for Big Riches Investment Firm. He replaced Todd Phillips, who was an analyst with Big Riches, but resigned to move overseas. Phillips passed on all of his prior analytical reports and backup data for Johnson to use in his new role. In preparation for an annual valuation of the foodservice equipment industry, Johnson pulled up a valuation model developed by Phillips and changed it to include economic indicators published by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. Once these revisions were made, Johnson back-tested the results using the S&P 500. Which of the following is most accurate?











 	A. Johnson must give credit to Phillips for the creation of the valuation
model, and add the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and S&P 500 as reference
materials.
 	B. Johnson must publish the valuation model under his own name, naming the
Bureau of Economic Analysis, and S&P 500 as reference materials.
 	C. Johnson must give credit to Phillips for the creation of the valuation
model. However, it is unnecessary to reference the S&P 500 or the Bureau of
Economic Analysis as reference materials.

Matt_AnalystPrep · Answer

The correct answer is C.According to Standard I(C) – Misrepresentation, factual information published in statistical reporting services such as the S&P 500 or the US Bureau of Economic Analysis is permitted to be used without references. Also according to Standard I(C) – Misrepresentation, Johnson must give credit to Phillips for his work in order to avoid plagiarism.