When starting a new firm, you may discover an overwhelming number of demands. Moreover, the registration process can be confusing and tedious for many new investment advisor applicants that try to do it themselves. It’s easy to lose focus and become diverted from building your business. Even worse, a poorly prepared Form ADV and application might not only delay your investment advisor firm's registration but could result in detrimental consequences if an issue subsequently arises over an undisclosed conflict of interest.

RIA Compliance Consultants provides a turn-key registration service for firms intending to register as an investment advisor with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or state securities regulators. Our compliance consultants can serve as your guide by explaining in detail the registration process and requirements, assisting you in structuring your firm’s investment advisory programs, preparing your investment advisor registration documents and serving as your liaison with the SEC or state securities regulators. By utilizing the expertise, experience and efforts of our consultants for such a significant undertaking, you will be able to better leverage your time and focus upon growing your new investment advisory business.

In the event that you retain RIA Compliance Consultants to register your firm as an investment advisor, we can offer the following assistance as part of our turn-key investment advisor registration service:

• Regulatory Strategy. Conduct an in-depth interview with your firm’s principals. After sharing with us your firm’s strategic goals, history, outside business activities and potential conflicts of interest, we will help devise your investment advisor program from a regulatory standpoint and provide guidance regarding the registration process and requirements.
   
• Entitlement Forms. Prepare the NASD Entitlement applications for the IARD/Web CRD accounts, which are necessary to file application to register as an investment advisor and investment advisor representative.
   
• IARD Service Bureau. Provide training regarding the IARD/Web CRD systems. Serve as an IARD/Web CRD service bureau for your firm during the registration process and thereby electronically file applicable application documents on behalf of your firm.
   
• Form ADV. Prepare the Form ADV Part IA, Part IB, Part II, Schedule A, Schedule B, Schedule C, Schedule D and Schedule F that is customized to your firm’s unique business model. (Final version of such registration documents will be available as both Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat PDF files.)
   
• IARD Post. Enter the Form ADV Part I; Schedules A, B, C and D; and ADV Part II (if required by the state securities regulator) into the IARD system.
   
• Notice File. Advise SEC applicants as to those states which would require notice filing (at the time that firm submits its initial federal filing). Prepare the applications for state notice filings via the IARD system.
   
• Register in Other States. Advise state applicants as to those other states requiring investment advisor registration (at the time that firm submits its initial home state filing). Prepare investment advisor applications for those other states.
   
• Series 65 Exam Window. Provide you with information to complete the Form U10 necessary to open Series 65 exam window for investment advisor representative (IAR) applicants and schedule Series 65 test date with testing center.
   
• Series 65 Waiver. Advise IAR applicants relying upon a professional designation exemption on how to submit such an exemption in lieu of the Series 65.
   
• Form U4. Prepare the Form U4 (via Web CRD system) to register each IAR applicant of the firm. Verify Form U4 disclosures are consistent with Form ADV disclosures. Advise your firm as to the states that IAR will need to register at the time firm is initially registered.
   
• IARD Funding. Give guidance on the amount necessary to fund your firm’s IARD/Web CRD account to cover the investment advisor registration and IARD user fees that will initially be charged by the IARD/Web CRD and applicable securities regulators.
   
• Miscellaneous Documents. Prepare miscellaneous documents (except balance sheet and income statement) required of specific jurisdictions.
   
• Regulatory Liaison. Serve as liaison with the SEC and/or state securities regulators regarding any questions associated with your firm’s application. Correct any deficiencies identified by the SEC and/or state securities regulators.

The consulting fee for our turn-key investment advisor registration service starts at $2,295. (Our consulting fee does not include or cover the licensing fees charged by the applicable securities regulators and the IARD/Web CRD systems.) The work and complexity associated with an investment advisor registration engagement can vary significantly based upon numerous factors such as state versus SEC registration, the number of states requiring registration or notice filing, the number of IARs, the disciplinary history of the firm and principals, and the particular investment advisory services that will be offered by the firm. As a result, we’d request that you call RIA Compliance Consultants at 877-345-4034 or complete our online Request for Proposal in order to receive a proposed engagement and quote that are specific to your firm’s needs.

Starting an RIA? Utilize our expertise to leverage your time while growing your new business.

Need help implementing an ongoing and comprehensive compliance program? Outsource the heavy lifting by partnering with industry experienced professionals.