Hardy Reed is honored to announce our certification from the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, LLC (CEFEX) for the ninth consecutive year. Hardy Reed is one of only 144 firms worldwide to achieve the Investment Advisor Certification by CEFEX. This certification is only granted by CEFEX to firms that demonstrate adherence to a standard of fiduciary best practices known as the Global Fiduciary Standard of Excellence. It is a hallmark accomplishment for Hardy Reed as it signifies continued conformity to a recognized global standard of fiduciary excellence.
The CEFEX certification process is based on the international standard, ISO 19011: Guideline for quality management system auditing. The assessment is evidence-based, and all work is reviewed by the CEFEX Registration Committee to ensure impartiality and consistency. Hardy Reed was subject to a rigorous, multi-month audit and certification process guided by the “Prudent Practices® for Investment Advisors”, an industry-recognized handbook that is grounded in law, regulation and professional best practices.
The standard describes how an Investment Advisor assumes the responsibility for managing a client’s overall investment management process, which includes the selection, monitoring and de-selection of investment managers, as well as developing processes to implement investment strategies and fiduciary practices on an ongoing basis. According to the Managing Director of the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, Carlos Panksep, “Maintaining certification requires a continued adherence to the industry’s best practices. This is verified through our annual renewal assessment.”
“Being a trusted partner with our clients means putting our clients first. This is a core value at Hardy Reed as well as the key principal of fiduciary best practices” said Ken Mathis, COO of Hardy Reed. “Having a prestigious organization such as CEFEX certify our firm’s services further validates our ongoing commitment to this core value and our ability to deliver the benefits of fiduciary excellence to our clients.”
Hardy Reed is certified for ERISA DB & DC plans, 403(b), non-qualified plans, foundations and endowments, personal trusts, and investment advisory and wealth management services to high net-worth individuals. Hardy Reed’s certification is registered and can be viewed at www.cefex.org.
The standard is substantiated by legislation, case law and regulatory opinion letters from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Investment Advisor’s Act of 1940, Uniform Prudent Investor Act (UPIA), Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) and the Uniform Management of Public Employee Retirement Systems Act (MPERS) in the U.S.
A full copy of the standard can be downloaded from CEFEX at www.cefex.org/advisorand a summary can be viewed by clicking on Hardy Reed on-line CEFEX certificate. More information about Hardy Reed is available at www.hardyreed.com.
About Hardy Reed
Hardy Reed, LLC is an independent, SEC Registered Investment Adviser*, fiduciary consulting, and retirement plan services firm. Its team of professionals provide objective fiduciary guidance to institutions such as endowments and foundations, and retirement plans throughout the United States. In addition, Hardy Reed provides wealth management and investment advisory services to successful families.
About CEFEX®:
CEFEX®, Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, LLC, a Fi360® company, is an independent certification organization. CEFEX works closely with industry experts to provide comprehensive assessment programs to improve the fiduciary practices of investment stewards, advisors, recordkeepers, administrators and managers. CEFEX is based in Pittsburgh, PA. Learn more at www.cefex.orgvia Twitteror on LinkedIn.
*SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of Hardy Reed by the Commission nor does it indicate the Hardy Reed has attained a particular level of skill or ability.