2023 Compliance Roundup Shows RIAs How to Steer Clear of Problems

It has been a busy year for the SEC from a compliance perspective. You should think about these compliance events as you conduct your annual review of your firm’s policies and procedures. An adviser’s policies and procedures should reflect the firm’s business model,...

SEC Sanctions RIA for Charging Excessive Advisory Fees

On August 25, 2023, the SEC accused a dually registered investment adviser/broker-dealer with overcharging thousands of clients. The firm overcharged approximately 10,945 investment advisory accounts by more than $26.8 million in advisory fees. The firm agreed to pay...

SEC Enhances Recordkeeping Requirements and Bolsters Regulation of Private Fund Advisers

On August 23, 2023, the SEC adopted new rules and rule amendments to enhance the regulation of private fund advisers. The SEC also updated Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act, better known as the Compliance Rule, which applies to all Registered Investment...

Fee Mistakes Will Cause Problems for Advisers

RIA Compliance Group has observed that SEC and state examiners are scrutinizing advisory firms’ fee arrangements and disclosures. Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) must ensure that they have fully disclosed all of their fees in Form ADV including, but not limited...

SEC Enforcement Actions Signal Continued Scrutiny of 12b-1 Fees, Revenue Sharing Arrangements, and Wrap Fee Programs

In recent weeks, the SEC has continued to bring enforcement actions against Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) that breached their fiduciary duty to advisory clients. These enforcement actions demonstrate the SEC’s concerns about RIAs that breach their fiduciary...

SEC Releases Findings from its Wrap Fee Initiative Examinations

Wrap fee programs have been on the SEC’s radar for quite a while. When the SEC published its annual examination priorities in 2017, 2018, and 2019, wrap fee programs were mentioned as putting investors at risk. On July 21, 2021, the SEC’s Division of Examinations...