'Twas the Nightmare Before Year-End: A Compliance Tale 'Twas the week before year-end, and all through the firm, Not a document was...

Clear and accurate fee disclosures are essential for building client trust and meeting regulatory expectations. For Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs), fee transparency isn’t just good business—it’s a legal requirement. With the SEC and state regulators placing increased scrutiny on how fees are described, calculated, and charged, now is the time to revisit your firm’s disclosure practices. --- ### 💡 Why Fee Disclosure Matters Clients need to understand how they’re being

Receiving an SEC or state exam notice can trigger anxiety for any Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), but with the right approach, the process can be manageable and even beneficial. Regulatory exams are a routine part of the compliance landscape—and how you respond can make all the difference. Here’s what to do if your firm receives an exam notice and how to prepare for a successful outcome. --- ### 📬 Step 1: Stay Calm and Read the Notice Carefully Regulatory exams are comm

“Best execution” is a key fiduciary obligation for investment advisers. It refers to your duty to seek the most favorable terms reasonably available when executing client trades. While cost is a major factor, it’s not the only one. The SEC expects Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) to continuously evaluate and document how they achieve best execution for their clients. Failing to do so can lead to examination deficiencies—or worse. --- ### 🎯 What Is Best Execution? Best e

Serving high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) can be rewarding—but it also brings unique compliance challenges. These clients often have complex portfolios, sophisticated expectations, and increased regulatory scrutiny. As a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), your ability to meet their needs while remaining compliant is critical to long-term success. 🧠 Understand the HNWI Profile High-net-worth clients often: - Use multiple custodians and advisers - Invest in private placeme

Social Media and Personal Device Use: Policy Essentials In an era where communication is instantaneous and devices are constantly connected, firms must take a proactive approach to managing the risks associated with social media and personal device use. For investment advisers, these risks are not just reputational—they can also lead to serious compliance violations. This blog outlines the essential elements of an effective policy governing employee use of social media and pe

How to Use Tech Tools for Better Compliance Oversight Technology is transforming how investment advisers manage compliance. With increasing regulatory expectations and complex operations, manual processes are no longer enough. Tech tools can improve efficiency, accuracy, and transparency—allowing firms to stay ahead of risk while demonstrating strong oversight. This blog explores key ways to leverage technology to enhance your compliance program. 1. Automate Routine Tasks and

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the financial services industry—including compliance. From automating surveillance to enhancing regulatory reporting, AI presents exciting possibilities. But it also introduces new risks. As firms explore how to integrate AI into their compliance functions, it's crucial to balance innovation with caution. This blog highlights the key opportunities AI offers for compliance programs, as well as the red flags firms must watch out for.

RIA website compliance In today’s digital-first world, your firm’s online presence is often the first impression prospective clients will get. But while websites and social media are powerful marketing tools, they also come with compliance responsibilities — especially for Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) under the SEC’s Marketing Rule.Here ’s a practical checklist to help ensure your website and social media content remains compliant, transparent, and client-focused. ✅