GRC Solutions for Mutual Funds, ETFs, and Other Investment Companies

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  1. Who We Serve
  2. GRC Solutions for Mutual Funds, ETFs, and Other Investment Companies

Our Investment Company Practice supports registered investment companies, as well as their advisers and sub-advisers, board of directors, and service providers to help them build, enhance and add controls to their compliance programs to meet Investment Company Act of 1940 requirements and SEC and industry standards.

We offer objective, innovative, and effective compliance reviews and solutions to prepare registered investment companies, as well as their boards, sponsors, advisers, sub-advisers, and service providers, for the rigors of SEC examinations. We provide solutions to assist firms with managing and mitigating related operational, regulatory, and reputational risks.

Our solutions

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & Financial Crimes

Address financial crimes-related threats and regulatory concerns with our team of former regulators and auditors. Our team can support with independent money laundering reviews for mutual funds and transfer agents, AML compliance program reviews, and more.

Compliance Consulting

Strengthen your compliance program with our global team of compliance professionals.

Cybersecurity, Privacy & Risk

Build cyber and operational resilience across your firm with our team of cybersecurity and technology risk experts.

ESG Advisory

Gain clarity on your firm’s ESG requirements and build a strong compliance program with our dedicated ESG advisory practice.

Managed Services

Maximize your firm’s time and efficiency with our technology-powered managed services. Our team can assist with on- and off-site CCO support and outsourced mutual fund advertising and marketing reviews.

Performance Services

Stay in compliance with the GIPS® standards and investment performance rules with the world’s largest team of GIPS standards verifiers.

Compliance Education and Training

Our consultants can provide training on the many topics mutual funds, ETFs, and other investment companies need to comply with, or you can choose to use any of our online modules to train your staff.

Liquidity Risk Management Program Support

ACA’s Investment Company practice is dedicated to supporting our clients in navigating the SEC’s liquidity risk management program rule through educational resources and alerts, benchmarking insight, help with program management and development of policies and procedures, annual assessments, and more.

Regulatory Technology

Build a scalable and resilient compliance program with our ComplianceAlpha® regulatory technology  platform backed by managed services support.

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Who we work with

We provide solutions for the following types of firms.

Business Development Companies (BDCs)

We provides objective, innovative, and effective compliance reviews and solutions to assist business development companies, as well as their boards, sponsors, and service providers — with preparing for the rigors of an SEC examination.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)

We provide objective, innovative, and effective compliance reviews and solutions to assist exchange-traded funds with preparing for the rigors of an SEC examination.

Registered Investment Companies

We offer diverse compliance review and compliance services, all scalable to individual client needs.

Variable Insurance Products

We help insurance companies and distributors understand and manage these complex compliance requirements and develop and implement the comprehensive, effective risk-based protocols necessary to meet regulators’ expectations.

Solution Spotlight

Investment company compliance solutions

Our team includes former regulators along with former along with former chief compliance officers and senior compliance managers from prominent financial institutions. Our team helps you to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape while considering the complexity of your firm’s unique compliance requirements.

Compliance solutions can include:

  • Adviser and fund policy and procedure customization and development
  • Mock SEC reviews
  • Rule 38a-1 compliance program reviews
  • Enhanced annual adviser compliance program reviews that is specific to Company Act requirements for advisers/sub-advisers
  • Customized focus reviews (e.g. liquidity risk management program, intermediary fees, cross trades, cybersecurity, valuation)
  • Compliance and internal audit testing support
  • Sub-adviser due diligence reviews
  • SEC inspection support
  • Mutual fund distributor reviews and financial intermediary oversight reviews (e.g. FINRA rule 3110, 3120)
  • Independent Consulting Mandate
Download our investment company brochure

By the numbers

Our market share

80%

of the top 100 mutual funds (as noted in the Mutual Fund Directory March 2020 ranking data)

Latest compliance insights

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FCA Market Watch 68: Mind the Surveillance and Compliance Gaps!

The FCA's recent Market Watch 68 focuses on web-based trading platforms and the rates and fixed income products traded on them, and flags concerns about gaps in surveillance, monitoring and reporting. Read our guidance on what this means for firms

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  • ComplianceAlpha
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  • Managed Services

2022 Regulatory Filings Calendar

Download a printable calendar with key regulatory filing deadlines for the SEC, CFTC, NFA, FCA, and ESMA in addition to national holidays at a glance.

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Observations from Examinations of Advisers that Provide Electronic Investment Advice

The SEC's Division of Examinations recently released their observations from exams of advisers that provide automated, electronic advice, also known as digital advisers, automated advisers, internet advisers, or robo-advisors.

Compliance Alert
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FINRA Updates Advertising Regulation FAQs

FINRA recently updated its FAQs about FINRA 2210, its advertising regulation, to provide firms with revised guidance.

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  • Performance
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FINRA Releases AML/CFT Priorities

FINRA issued Regulatory Notice 21-36 urging firms to consider how to incorporate the government-wide Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Priorities into their AML programs.

Compliance Alert
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  • AML and Financial Crime
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Registered Investment Company Initiatives Exam Observations

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations issued a Risk Alert that provides observations from examinations conducted as part of the Division’s registered investment company initiatives.

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News

ACA Group and Foreside to Join Forces

The merger will bring together two of the industry’s most well-respected GRC solutions providers. ACA and Foreside together will be positioned to transform the future of GRC, creating a world-class platform for the financial services industry.

Michael Borts joins ACA Group as the new Chief Technology Officer

Michael Borts has joined the firm as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead ACA’s technology development, vision, and strategy. In his role, he will oversee all product development for ACA’s award-winning ComplianceAlpha® regulatory technology platform and technology enablement at the firm.

ACA Group Acquires Catelas to Create Industry-first 360 Surveillance Offering

The acquisition of Catelas further enhances the holistic surveillance capabilities of ACA’s RegTech platform. Catelas’ patented technology automates the mapping of how people connect and form groups within a firm, isolates collusion risk, and detects high-risk behaviors.

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Upcoming events

Money Laundering Reporting Officer: The Role and Responsibilities - 30 November 2021

The role of the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) is a mandatory position in all firms in the Financial Services Industry. This reflects the statutory objective that the Regulator(s) have for ensuring that firms behave with “Integrity”, particularly relating to financial crime prevention. The MLRO therefore plays a significant role in assisting Senior management to ensure that systems and controls relating to anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the risk of terrorist financing (CTF) are appropriate and effective. This course provides practical advice and guidance on the responsibilities of the MLRO, what is expected by the Regulators, both of the Senior Management and the MLRO, and how those responsibilities can be achieved. It should be noted that attendance at this course does assume a good knowledge of the UK’s AML/CTF regulations.

Online Training

Get Your Cyber House in Order

Our speakers will discuss how to tailor your spending and prioritize your budget to meet the needs of your firm and regulatory requirements.

Webcast

Senior Management Obligations under the SM&CR - 1 December 2021

The ever-increasing focus by the Regulators on the accountability of senior management, particularly when things go wrong, emphasises how important it is for individuals in senior positions to have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. This succinct course is designed to assist Senior Managers to have a full understanding of what they need to do to achieve compliance with the rules under the obligations created by the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR).

Online Training
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