Regulatory updates, compliance best practices, and insights for investment advisers, broker dealers, hedge funds, and private equity firms.
The SEC's annual examination priorities signal where regulators will focus their attention. Here's what investment advisers need to review and address before an exam arrives at their door.
Many small and mid-size advisory firms reach a point where managing compliance in-house creates more risk than it solves. Here's how to know when outsourcing makes sense for your firm.
The SEC's Marketing Rule reshaped how investment advisers can present performance, testimonials, and endorsements. We break down what needs to change and how to build a compliant review process.
A compliance calendar is one of the most practical tools an advisory firm can have — but only if it's built correctly. Here's how to build one that keeps your team on track year-round.
Making the move from a broker dealer to a Registered Investment Adviser is one of the most significant regulatory transitions a financial professional can make. Here's what to expect and how to do it right.
The SEC's cybersecurity disclosure and incident reporting rules have raised the bar for investment advisers. We outline the key requirements and what your firm needs to implement to stay compliant.
The key to a thorough annual compliance review is to spread it out throughout the year. Here are the top 10 steps to building a risk-based program that even regulators will admire.
From Blue Sky notice filings and AUM breakdowns to the Custody Rule, here's what investment advisers need to watch closely when completing their ADV Part 1 annual amendment.
From DOL ERISA fee disclosure to Form PF registration, compliance has moved firmly to the forefront. A growing number of firms are now embracing outsourced compliance as a cost-effective solution.
As thousands of RIAs transition from SEC to state registration under Dodd-Frank, states — led by NASAA — are ramping up their examination programs. Is your firm ready for its first inspection?
With the SEC charging advisers for offering fictitious securities via LinkedIn and issuing dual social media alerts, every RIA needs a clear policy covering approval, monitoring, training, and recordkeeping.
Not a lot of people know this, but FINRA was recently sanctioned by the SEC for altering documents prior to an inspection. A look at what it means for industry standards and regulatory accountability.
With Dodd-Frank underway, the SEC proposes uniform fiduciary standards for Investment Advisory firms and Broker Dealers — harmonizing regulatory protection for investment advice clients.
FINRA fined Southwest Securities $500K for inadequate municipal securities supervision, and Lincoln Financial $600K for failing to control client information access — even before a breach occurred.
The compliance landscape has changed permanently. Firms that allow sales to outrank compliance authority are leaving themselves open to serious regulatory risk — and it still happens far too often.
The compliance department carries an undeserved stigma. It's time to stop being the police and start being the teacher — changing perceptions one interaction at a time.
We're available Monday through Saturday. Reach out and one of our consultants will get back to you promptly.