As Halloween is quickly creeping toward us – 2015 will vanish right before our very eyes! As former Chief Compliance Officers, CRC understands how frightening, scary and daunting it can be for Broker-Dealers to prepare for / and execute their year-end Compliance requirements.
Over the last few years, we’ve helped dozens of Broker-Dealers complete each of the discrete tasks identified below. Additionally, we have helped many broker-dealers through their cycle exams in 2015 and have a very clear understanding of FINRA’s hot button items, which includes cyber-security, Retention of Books and Records and Business Resiliency. It’s almost as if we are looking directly into a witch’s eye (Creepily Laughing in background).
Increasingly, more and more firms are turning to external third parties to conduct Year-End reviews. It eliminates the appearance and perception of potential conflicts of interest – as firm’s remove the individuals that are responsible for the execution of the programs throughout the year from the actual testing being done – creating a true independent review of the state of play within an organization.
Based on the above, CRC provides our clients with a cost-effective approach to execute any / all of the requirements below. We remove the “pricing barrier” – by providing “modular” approaches that enable our clients to truly benefit from our significant knowledge base and expertise.
Annually, FINRA member broker-dealers are required to test and verify the adequacy of their supervisory program, and the CEOs are required to certify their awareness of the program’s state.
As part of the annual review, firms should identify and discuss the impact of “hot topic” industry issues on their respective organizations. For instance, WORM Storage / Books and Records is an area that firms’ should consider assessing as part of their 2015 Annual Testing Program.
In 2015, we’ve seen it become commonplace for FINRA to assess electronic storage of Books and Records within Broker-Dealers. While many of us have grown accustomed to having our electronic communications stored in WORM Format (Write Once, Read Many) – there are several types of records within a broker-dealer that FINRA will assess to understand the mechanism in which these records are being stored and whether or not there is adequate business resiliency in place if / when these records should need to be accessed.
Based on the above, firms’ should proactively consider the best way to assess / measure their internal record retention requirements and ensure they have appropriate documentation and controls in place to evidence oversight and compliance with SEC Rule 17a-4. (Records to be Maintained by a Broker-Dealer).
The annual review may offer a practical way for firms’ to assess this discrete risk – as part of their overall assessment of the state of compliance and supervision within their respective organizations.
SEC Rule 17a-5 requires broker-dealers that did not claim exemption from Rule 15c3-3 throughout the most recent fiscal year to prepare and file an annual report on compliance, and internal control over compliance, with certain financial responsibility rules (“FRRs”), specifically the Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1), Customer Protection Rule (Rule 15c3-3), Quarterly Security Count Rule (Rule 17a-13), and Account Statement Rules.
The compliance report must include statements as to whether:
Impacted Broker-Dealers will also be required to engage their independent registered public accountant to examine the broker-dealer’s statements (2) through (5), above, in its compliance report.
Following PCAOB standards, the independent registered public accountant would issue a report based on that examination.
Every broker-dealer is required to perform an annual review of their Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (“AMLCP”). This review must be undertaken by a qualified individual that has a strong working knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”).
The review can be performed by an outside consultant or someone employed by the firm. However, it cannot be performed by the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer (“AMLCO”) or someone that reports to the AMLCO.
As an FYI – FINRA allows firms that do not have any customers / customer accounts to perform this review once every two years.
As part of its responsibilities under FINRA Rule 3012, a Firm must ensure that all business areas and new regulatory requirements are sufficiently addressed in its annual review of WSPs.
All FINRA member firms must complete their Firm and Regulatory Element Continuing Education obligations by year-end.
FINRA member firms must perform inspections of all offices of supervisory jurisdiction (“OSJs”) and branch offices that supervise one or more non-branch locations on an annual basis. Each branch office that does not supervise non-branch locations must be inspected at least once every three years.
All FINRA member firms are required to complete an annual compliance meeting (“ACM”). Although all registered representatives and principals are required to be present, an interactive internet based “ACM on Demand” approach is acceptable in most circumstances.
Broker Dealers have until December 18th, 2015 to pay their Preliminary Renewal Account. Failure to pay by the deadline may endanger a firm’s ability to do business in jurisdictions in which it has previously done business. Although there are a number of ways to pay, firms need to ensure that there are sufficient funds in their CRD Daily Account.
An independent review conducted by longstanding industry professionals, reconciling your current “state of compliance” is the most effective way to ascertain your program’s status and ensure your firm continues to meet its ongoing regulatory requirements. A great deal of regulatory intelligence is required to demonstrate an organization’s understanding of its regulatory obligations (both existing and newly enacted).
At CRC, we strive to do more than perform a “check the box” review - we strive to partner. Our team of former Chief Compliance Officers (“CCOs”) and Regulators not only provide key insights into what is required of your firm, but assist your firm by executing seamlessly, helping to build a stronger program- one that your management team and regulators can have confidence in.
Please contact us for help on any of the items identified above / or for a full review / assessment of your broker-dealer’s compliance and supervisory system.
