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 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.

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

abstract image with a lock and shield

Budget Benchmarking Survey Series: Compare Your Cyber and Compliance Program Resources to Your Peers

Participate in our budget and staffing surveys to learn how your peers are allocating their program’s resources and prepare for the 2023 budgeting season.

Survey
  • Compliance
  • Cybersecurity
Architectural image - office windows

Transaction Reporting: Man vs. Machine

With 97% of firms getting their transaction reporting wrong, it's clear they cannot rely solely on technology to create and submit complete and accurate reports under MiFIR, EMIR or SFTR. Can firms simply leave it up to the machines to detect errors? Or is human intervention key to ensuring the reporting is being done correctly?

Article
  • Trade & Transaction
  • Compliance
New York City from above at twilight

New SEC Marketing Rule Master Class Podcast Released

We are pleased to announce the release of our new master class series on the SEC’s Marketing Rule! Sponsored by the NSCP and ACA Group and developed by Patrick Hayes, host of the Compliance In Context Podcast, and Carlo di Florio, ACA Group’s Global Advisory Leader.

News
  • Compliance
  • Performance
  • SEC Marketing Rule
green and blue digital image

The Benefits of an Integrated Surveillance Solution

Regulatory expectations around firms’ trade surveillance programmes is rising, thanks in large part to the advent of Supervisory Technology (SupTech). The US SEC and the UK FCA are now ingesting significant volumes of transaction data every day, and are monitoring that data for potential market abuse very effectively. Is it time for firms to put more focus on this area to avoid being caught short?

Article
  • Compliance
  • ComplianceAlpha
  • FCA
  • SEC
Blue and gold roads creating an X

Looking Ahead: A Review of FCA and SEC Priorities, and What to Focus on in 2022

What are the key developments across the FCA and SEC regulatory regimes, which items should feature as priorities on your “to-do” list for the next twelve months, and how should firms respond to increased surveillance by regulators around the world?

Article
  • Compliance
  • FCA
  • SEC
  • ESG
  • SEC Marketing Rule
Architectural image - steel rods

Finding Stability in an Unpredictable World

We examine the challenges set to face firms over the next twelve months, including ESG, equivalence vs. divergence, the new world of work, transaction reporting, market surveillance, cyberthreat trends, the SEC’s new marketing rule, post-COVID recovery, the future of regulatory hosting, as well as FCA and SEC priorities.

Article
  • FCA
  • SEC
  • ESG
  • SEC Marketing Rule
  • Compliance

News

ACA Group Recognized as RegTech100 Company for Fifth Consecutive Year

ACA Group Recognized as RegTech100 Company for Fifth Consecutive Year

ACA Group Revolutionizes ESG Data Management with Enhanced ACA Vantage for ESG Platform

ACA Group introduces advanced features to its ACA Vantage for ESG platform, leveraging AI to help clients verify ESG data and streamline data management processes. This innovative solution empowers organizations to efficiently manage ESG requirements with greater accuracy and ease.

ACA Group Recognized at Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Tech 50 

ACA Group Recognized at Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Tech 50

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