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.

CONNECT WITH US


CONNECT WITH US


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

1 of

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+
hallway with light at end of tunnel

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

highway at night from overhead

Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR): What You Need to Know

The UK’s financial regulator recently announced 9 December 2019 as the deadline for the implementation of the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR, or SMCR) for solo-regulated firms. With the regulation set to impact 47,000 financial firms, we answer some common questions that firms may have on the upcoming SM&CR.

Article
  • Compliance
highway at night from overhead

MiFIR Transaction Reporting: Key Issues Highlighted by the FCA

With a significant increase to the number of reports ingested and the uptick in the number of firms submitting data, the FCA has been able to build a clearer picture of the behaviours of firms’ and their clients. However, the regulator is stressing the importance of reporting data quality, accuracy and completeness, with a particular focus on the following issues.

Article
  • Compliance
highway at night from overhead

The CFTC Expands Its Regulatory Approach to Cryptocurrencies

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has taken several actions to flesh out its regulatory approach to cryptocurrency transactions that are classified as commodities. There’s no doubt that US regulators will continue to publish new materials on cryptocurrencies as the year progresses. How should firms that wish to engage in cryptocurrencies prepare?

Article
  • Compliance
highway at night from overhead

Compliance Culture: Building an Approach on Three Core Values

Most firms find “compliance culture” an important, yet elusive, term that is difficult to define and even more challenging to shape and nurture. However, it’s clear that a compliance culture sets the basis of behavior, integrity and accountability across an organization. But what are the core values that can help firms focus their overall efforts to build a compliance culture more effectively?

Article
  • Compliance
curved glass building looking up at a blue sky

Midterm Elections Are Coming Up: How is Your Firm Monitoring Contributions and Government Relationships?

The midterm elections are a few short months away, and a number of recent administrative proceedings against both registered investment advisers and exempt reporting advisers by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) should serve as a valuable reminder of the importance of actively monitoring for risks that exposure to government entities or political parties may present. Here are helpful insights and suggested action items to help advisers mitigate these risks.

Compliance Alert
  • Compliance
highway at night from overhead

Record Keeping: Putting it to the test – A Q&A with Charlotte Malin and Matthew Chapman

A key pillar of the MiFID II regime is the record keeping requirements that underpin many of the new or enhanced obligations. Now seven months after MiFID II implementation, what challenges have these requirements created for the buy-side? We discuss this with senior compliance consultants, Charlotte Malin and Matthew Chapman.

Article
  • Compliance
More Insights

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.

More News

Upcoming events

Curing Compliance Insomnia: Top 5 Compliance Challenges Keeping You Up At Night

Ever-changing regulation, the threat of an impending exam, and worrying about whether your reps are texting clients are among just a few of the compliance concerns wealth managers face daily. Join us as we address the top 5 compliance challenges for wealth managers and how to mitigate them.

Webcast
More Events