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. We can also help you get authorized with the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) in the DIFC and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”) in the ADGM

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 registration 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.

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.  

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.

We guide firms through the DFSA and FSRA authorization process, ensuring a seamless experience and alignment with regulatory expectations.

Once registered, we provide continued support to help maintain compliance, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and ensure your business operates with confidence in the UAE’s financial hubs.

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. 

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, our filing compliance solution services have 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

Are You Ready? SFC's FMCC Compliance Checklist

On November 18, 2018, this new set of rules will come into force, bringing additional governance, operational, and disclosure requirements. As the FMCC countdown clock ticks ever closer to the deadline, these are the key compliance components that fund management firms should have in place before impact day.

Article
  • Compliance
highway at night from overhead

FCA Warns Firms Over Market Abuse Surveillance

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) outlined a number of observations relating to market abuse surveillance. These should serve as a reminder and encourage investment management firms to review their existing policies, systems and controls in this area. But what does this guidance say and how should firms best take heed?

Article
  • Compliance
highway at night from overhead

Financial Institutions May Need to Reconsider Their Approach to Electronic Communication Surveillance

Regulators in both the U.S. and U.K. continue to focus on electronic communication oversight programs as a form of detecting and preventing financial crime and non-compliance within financial organizations. We’ve seen the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) increase their focus on this area over the past two years, and we anticipate this scrutiny will likely increase. This blog post tells you what you need to know and ACA's guidance.

Article
  • Compliance
highway at night from overhead

Behind on Your Annual Testing Mandate? How ACA Can Help

The Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act") imposes a significant number of regulatory obligations on the roughly 13,000 advisers registered under its purview. One of the broader mandates under the Advisers Act, articulated by Rule 206(4)-7 (the “Compliance Program Rule”), requires advisers to review, no less frequently than annually, the adequacy of the policies and procedures established and the effectiveness of their implementation.

Article
  • Compliance
New York City from above at twilight

ACA Compliance Group Completes the Acquisition of Cordium

ACA Compliance Group (“ACA”) announced today that, following the receipt of regulatory approvals, it has completed the acquisition of Cordium, a leading provider of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) products and services. As of today, ACA employs nearly 700 people and provides products and services to over 4,000 clients worldwide. The financial terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.

News
  • Compliance
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

News

ACA Group Acquires Global Trading Analytics to Offer Clients Leading Transaction Cost Analysis Capabilities

ACA Group Acquires Global Trading Analytics to Offer Clients Leading Transaction Cost Analysis Capabilities

Five ACA Group Leaders Recognized Among the 2&20 Top 100 Most Influential People in the Service Provision for Alternative Investment Firms

Five ACA Group Leaders Recognized Among the 2&20 Top 100 Most Influential People in the Service Provision for Alternative Investment Firms

ACA Group Recognized as RegTech100 Company for Fifth Consecutive Year

ACA Group Recognized as RegTech100 Company for Fifth Consecutive Year

Upcoming events

2025 ACA Conference

Join us in sunny Orlando, Florida for ACA's 2025 Conference, "Preparing Today, Protecting Tomorrow," where industry leaders and experts will converge to explore the evolving landscape of financial services.

Conference