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.

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, 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

Compliance Alert

2021 Investment Management Compliance Testing Survey

ACA Group, the Investment Adviser Association, and Yuter Compliance Consulting invite you to participate in the 2021 Investment Management Compliance Testing Survey. This survey, now in its 16th year, gathers anonymous information from U.S. investment advisers of all types and sizes for the purpose of reporting on industry trends.

Survey
  • Compliance
ESG trees 1200x900.jpeg

SEC Keeps ESG Momentum with Release of Risk Alert

On Friday, April 8, 2021, the SEC’s Division of Examinations issued a Risk Alert for ESG Investing, putting an exclamation point on ESG being a top priority for the Commission.

Compliance Alert
  • ESG
  • Compliance
  • SEC
highway at night from overhead

ESMA final report recommends expansion of transaction reporting regime to AIFMS and UCITS Management Companies

ESMA has published a final report assessing the functioning of the Transaction Reporting regime under Article 26 of the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (“MiFIR”). Among a number of proposed changes perhaps the most impactful is the recommendation that UCITS management companies and AIFMs that are providing one or more MiFID services (i.e., Collective Portfolio Management or ‘CPMI’ firms) should be subject to transaction reporting

Article
  • Trade & Transaction
  • Compliance
Compliance Alert

Q2 2021 Regulatory Reporting Deadlines

Here we summarize the regulatory filing submission deadlines occurring from April through June 2021.

Compliance Alert
  • Compliance
  • Regulatory Deadlines
Blue and gold roads creating an X

SEC Increases Focus on Digital Assets

On February 26, 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Examinations released a Risk Alert highlighting areas of concern found in its examinations of investment advisers and broker-dealers investing and dealing in digital assets that are securities. We believe that these recent Division observations highlight the SEC’s interest in Digital Asset Securities and are a precursor to additional scrutiny in these areas.

Compliance Alert
  • Compliance
aerial highway ramps at night 1200x900.jpg

The New Marketing Rule’s Impact on the Presentation of Performance

The long-awaited modernization of the Marketing Rule was added to the Federal Register on March 5, 2021. Not only does the final marketing rule consolidate the advertising and cash solicitation rules, it also (among other things) categorizes certain considerations for presenting investment performance, effectively streamlining guidance currently found across multiple staff letters.

Article
  • SEC Marketing Rule
  • Performance
  • Compliance

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.

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