CEFEX® Certification

SouthCol’s holistic approach to stewardship is centered around a commitment to fiduciary governance.

As a CEFEX® Certified investment advisor, our first priority is to protect the long-term interests of our clients. The CEFEX® Certification helps ensure adherence to a global fiduciary standard of excellence based on case law, regulations, and recognized best practices. As a result, our clients – from boards to investment committees – are fully supported through the complexities of fiduciary governance.

THE CEFEX SEAL AND MISSION

The Center for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX®) is an independent assessment and certification organization with a mission to promote fiduciary best practices in the investment industry. The CEFEX® Seal indicates that a firm is certified and can demonstrate adherence to global fiduciary standards and best practices. CEFEX® certification is earned through a rigorous and thorough annual audit process. Less than one percent of registered investment advisors are currently CEFEX-certified.

CEFEX Logo
CEFEX Logo
THE CEFEX SEAL AND MISSION

The Center for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX®) is an independent assessment and certification organization with a mission to promote fiduciary best practices in the investment industry. The CEFEX® Seal indicates that a firm is certified and can demonstrate adherence to global fiduciary standards and best practices. CEFEX® certification is earned through a rigorous and thorough annual audit process. Less than one percent of registered investment advisors are currently CEFEX-certified.

THE FIDUCIARY PROCESS
THE FIDUCIARY PROCESS

ORGANIZE Governing documents, agreements, and stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities are reviewed and clearly defined in writing.

FORMALIZE Investment objectives, time horizon, risk levels, and return goals are formally established. Asset classes are chosen and the investment policy is updated and reconfirmed.

IMPLEMENT The investment strategy is implemented. Due diligence is conducted to select investment managers. All investment decisions are documented, reviewed, and retained.

MONITOR Regular reporting compares investment and impact performance with benchmarks and the investment policy.

THE FIDUCIARY PROCESS
THE FIDUCIARY PROCESS

ORGANIZE Governing documents, agreements, and stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities are reviewed and clearly defined in writing.

FORMALIZE Investment objectives, time horizon, risk levels, and return goals are formally established. Asset classes are chosen and the investment policy is updated and reconfirmed.

IMPLEMENT The investment strategy is implemented. Due diligence is conducted to select investment managers. All investment decisions are documented, reviewed, and retained.

MONITOR Regular reporting compares investment and impact performance with benchmarks and the investment policy.

OUR DUTIES
CEFEX

Implement laws, fiduciary standards, and recognized best practices

CEFEX

Diversify assets to specific risk/return client profiles

CEFEX

Prepare and maintain investment policy statements

CEFEX

Use "prudent experts" (money managers) and document due diligence

CEFEX

Account for investment expenses and provide transparency

CEFEX

Monitor investment restrictions and activities of "prudent experts"

CEFEX

Identify, mitigate and disclose conflicts of interest

OUR DUTIES

CEFEX

Implement laws, fiduciary standards, and recognized best practices

CEFEX

Diversify assets to specific risk/return client profiles

CEFEX

Prepare and maintain investment policy statements

CEFEX

Use “prudent experts” (money managers) and document due diligence

CEFEX

Account for investment expenses and provide transparency

CEFEX

Monitor investment restrictions and activities of “prudent experts”

CEFEX

Identify, mitigate and disclose conflicts of interest

Did you know? Working with a CEFEX® Certified investment advisor means that boards and investment committees benefit from CEFEX’s independent due diligence and audit processes.