Registration, Authorization, and Initial Filing Services

  1. GRC Compliance Advisory Services
  2. Registration, Authorization, and Initial Filing Services

The registration or application process can seem lengthy, overwhelming, and daunting. Whether you seek authorization for the first time or are an established regulated firm looking to move into a new line of business, we can help you avoid unnecessary complications and delays.

Our team will simplify the process by assisting with your initial application or filing, supporting the set-up and implementation of your compliance program, and providing ongoing support.

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Our solutions

We offer SEC, FINRA, CFTC and NFA, and state registration as well as FCA authorization support services. Or if you are launching a new investment management firm, or extending an existing venture, we also offer regulatory hosting through ACA Mirabella.

SEC Registration Support

SEC requires certain investment advisers to register with the SEC and to establish and maintain an adequate compliance program. Our team will assist your firm with the initial Form ADV filing, annual Form ADV amendments, and the set up and maintenance of an adequate and effective compliance program.

FINRA Registration Support

Broker-dealers are required to register with the FINRA and establish an adequate compliance program. We'll assist with the initial broker-dealer application filing, CRD training, and preparation of compliance and supervisory procedures. In addition, our team can assist existing broker-dealers with a Change in Membership (CMA) application with FINRA.

NFA Registration Support

If you're seeking CFTC registration and National Futures Association (NFA) membership our team includes former NFA examiners who can guide you through the relevant steps in the registration process and assist with the development and implementation of your commodity interest-related compliance program.

FCA Authorization Support

Our dedicated team can help you seek authorization and apply for your Part 4A Permission.

With experience of supporting hundreds of firms through the process, providing support before, during, and after the application, we can help you avoid unnecessary complications and delays.  

SEC Registration Support for Firms Outside of the U.S

A London-based regional practice, providing RIAs and ERAs a unique offering of on-the-ground, comprehensive SEC compliance support. 

This specialist team has conducted more than 250 mock SEC examinations and compliance program reviews, and provided support to more than 100 financial services firms registered with a range of European regulators.

Brexit FCA Authorization

If you wish to submit a full FCA license or a third-country branch application, our Brexit team is on hand to help.

We will draft the FCA application package, prepare for meetings with the regulator where required, and respond to FCA due diligence requests. 

New Investment Firm Launches or Extension of Existing Ventures

For firms wishing to launch a new venture, we offer regulatory hosting through ACA Mirabella.

This multi-award winning platform is the the industry’s preferred institutional-quality solution for regulatory incubation because of the strong oversight and controls the team brings to each organisation’s project. Mirabella enables firms to get up and running quickly by operating under its regulatory agency

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Who we've helped

With a client base of over 3,500 firms, we've successfully assisted thousands of firms through the registration and authorization process.

SEC Registrations for U.S. Firms

700+

SEC Registrations for Non-U.S. Based Firms

100+

FCA Authorizations

350+
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Why work with us?

Our team includes former SEC, FINRA, FCA, NFA, CFTC, OCC, and state regulators along with former along with former Chief Compliance Officers and senior compliance managers from prominent financial institutions. We offer a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and the holistic use of technology to maximize efficiencies and provide true value. 

With ACA, you can feel confident knowing that your consultants have the relevant and current regulatory and in-house expertise to support you through every step of the process.

Latest insights

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OCIE Issues Risk Alert Highlighting Deficiencies in Compliance, Supervision, and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

The SEC's OCIE issued a Risk Alert detailing compliance issues noted during examinations of advisers who hire or employ individuals with a history of disciplinary events.

Compliance Alert
  • Compliance
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Investment Adviser Standard of Conduct and Form CRS – What You Need Know (Part 2 of 2)

On June 5, 2019, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued the Standard of Conduct for Investment Advisers interpretation to reaffirm and clarify the SEC’s views of the fiduciary duty that investment advisers owe to their clients under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

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MiFID II transaction reporting – Firms are still getting it wrong

Whilst the FCA’s priorities appear, for the time being, to be on understanding the nature and scale of reporting data errors and how they are addressed, failings under MiFID I moved it to take several high-profile enforcement actions. It is imperative that firms get to grips with their MiFID II transaction reporting processes and data quality checks as soon as possible.

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UK extending Senior Managers and Certification Regime: What is it and how does it affect US firms?

The Senior Managers and Certification Regime (“SM&CR”) is new set of requirements that will affect all firms regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. This includes US firms (and those based elsewhere) who have some presence in the UK. And because SM&CR touches on the way firms are governed, it has potential implications for senior managers and some other staff in such firms including, in some cases, those located in the US parent.

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2019 Investment Management Compliance Testing Survey Results

ACA Compliance Group and the Investment Adviser Association release the results from their 2019 Investment Management Compliance Testing Survey. For the sixth year in a row, cybersecurity remains the biggest compliance concern at registered investment adviser firms – with 83 percent of survey respondents identifying cybersecurity as the “hottest” compliance topic and 70 percent indicating that their firms increased compliance testing in this area over the past year.

Survey
  • Compliance
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Investment Adviser Standard of Conduct and Form CRS - What You Need to Know (Part 1 of 2)

On June 5, 2019, the SEC released a final comprehensive interpretation of the standard of conduct for investment advisers, which will become immediately effective upon publication in the Federal Register (anticipated July 2019). Here's what you need to know.

Compliance Alert
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News

ACA Mirabella Celebrates Ninth Consecutive Year of Success at With Intelligence HFM European Services Awards

We are proud to announce we have secured victory in three prestigious categories at the With Intelligence HFM European Services Awards.

ACA Announces Expansion of the Executive Leadership Team with Key Appointments

ACA Group announces the addition of two distinguished professionals to its executive leadership team, Jaime Klein as Chief Human Resources Officer and Alex Fischer as General Counsel.

Highlights From the 2024 ACA Conference

As the curtains close on the 2024 ACA Conference, the echoes of transformative dialogue and insightful revelations resonate, shaping the trajectory of GRC in financial services.

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Upcoming events

Wealth Management EDGE

Join the ACA Wealth and ACA Foreside teams in Hollywood, FL at the Wealth Management EDGE Conference.

Conference

2024 FINRA Annual Conference

Meet-up with ACA's team at the FINRA Annual Conference, FINRA’s premier event which provides the opportunity for practitioners, peers and regulators to exchange ideas on today’s most timely compliance and regulatory topics.

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