State Regulations Governing Investment Advisers and IA Representatives Flashcards
Is a certified public accountant who provides tax advice considered an IA under the USA?
No, CPAs are excluded from the IA definition.
True or False: A publisher of a financial magazine is considered an IA under the USA.
False. Publishers of newspapers/magazines are excluded from the IA definition.
Is an attorney who exclusively provides estate planning services considered an IA under the USA?
No. Provided the attorney’s advice is incidental to his profession, he is excluded from the IA definition.
True or False: A BD making recommendations about investing in various securities is an IA under the USA.
False. Since the BD is not charging a fee for the advice, it is excluded from the IA definition.
True or False: According to the USA, a BD providing asset allocation plans to its clients for a fee is an IA.
True. Since the BD is receiving specific compensation for its advice, it is considered an IA.
True or False: The USA defines a bank providing investment recommendations to its clients as an IA.
False. Banks are excluded from the IA definition.
True or False: The USA classifies an agent of a BD who also manages wrap accounts as an IA.
No. IAs are firms, not individuals.
Is an adviser to a mutual fund considered an IA under the USA?
No, mutual funds advisers are federally covered and are excluded from the IA definition at the state level.
Is an employee of a securities firm who manages accounts for a fee considered an IAR?
Yes
Individuals employed by an IA who only perform ____________________ duties are excluded from registration under the USA.
Individuals employed by an IA who only perform clerical/ministerial duties are excluded from registration under the USA.
Is an employee of an IA who answers the telephone and does clerical work considered an IAR?
No
A surety bond may be required if an investment adviser has _____________ or __________ of client assets.
A surety bond may be required if an investment adviser has discretion or custody of client assets.
In place of a surety bond, the Administrator will accept a deposit of _______ or _____________.
In place of a surety bond, the Administrator will accept a deposit of cash or securities.
True or False: A successor advisory firm must pay a new filing fee, but need not file a new application.
False. The successor firm must update its application, but not pay a new filing fee.
The application for registration of an agent or IAR becomes effective in _____ days.
The application for registration of an agent or IAR becomes effective in 30 days.
The application for withdrawal of registration of an agent or IAR becomes effective in _____ days.
The application for withdrawal of registration of an agent or IAR becomes effective in 30 days.
What form is used to notify Administrators that an IA is maintaining custody of client assets?
Form ADV
Investment advisers with custody must have an annual audit done by a(n) ____________________.
Investment advisers with custody must have an annual audit done by a(n) independent CPA.
An IAR has an office in State A and has 4 clients who reside in the state. Is the IAR required to register in State A?
Yes, since the IAR has an office in State A. The client number is not relevant because of the office location.
An IAR of a federal covered adviser has an office in State B with 4 clients who live in State B. Where must he register?
He must register in State B since he has an office in the state. The number of clients is not relevant.
What type of advice may lawyers, accountants, teachers and engineers provide and not be considered an IA?
Advice that is incidental to their profession. If a separate fee is charged for the advice, the exclusion is lost.
May the Administrator set minimum net worth requirements for IAs?
Yes, but no state may impose a requirement that exceeds the requirement of the IA’s home state.
If an adviser has check-writing privileges in a client’s account, does this constitute custody?
Yes. Full discretionary control (having the ability to remove funds from the client’s account) is considered custody.
As it applies to a BD or IA, what does the term “exclusion” mean in the USA?
Exclusion signifies that a person does not meet the definition of a BD or IA in the state.
Who manages accounts, solicits services, or makes recommendations on behalf of a registered investment adviser?
An investment adviser representative (IAR)
What may an investment adviser do with full discretion, but not with limited discretion?
Withdraw money from the account
An ___________________________________ is to an investment adviser what an ________ is to a BD.
An investment adviser representative (IAR) is to an investment adviser what an agent is to a BD.
Does the de minimis exemption apply to investment adviser representatives?
Yes
Does the de minimis exemption apply to BDs that have no place of business in a state?
No. The de minimis exemption only applies to IAs and IARs.
IAs with no place of business in a state, and whose clients are ____________ are not required to register in that state.
IAs with no place of business in a state, and whose clients are institutions are not required to register in that state.
What requirements may states impose on IAs that are registered with the SEC? 3
- File with the state any documents that were filed with SEC,
- File Consent to Service of Process,
- Pay state fees
If an IA is registered with the SEC, is registration required in any state in which it intends to do business?
No. The National Securities Markets Improvement Act (NSMIA) exempts federal covered advisers from state registration.
Under the USA, all IA contracts must be __________ and must disclose __________ provided and related ______.
Under the USA, all IA contracts must be in writing and must disclose services provided and related fees.
For how long does the registration of a state-registered adviser remain in effect?
Until December 31, unless renewed by the adviser
IAs file their applications electronically through the ___________________________________.
IAs file their applications electronically through the Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD).
Is there a limit to the amount of net worth the Administrator may require of an IA?
Yes. The Administrator may not set a requirement that exceeds the IA’s home state.
What type of advice may lawyers, accountants, teachers, and engineers provide and not be considered an IA?
Advice that is incidental to their profession. If a separate fee is charged for the advice, the exclusion is lost.
If an IA contract stipulates cancellation penalties, a brochure must be provided ____ hours before the contract signing.
If an IA contract stipulates cancellation penalties, a brochure must be provided 48 hours before the contract signing.
In general, does the USA allow an adviser to charge performance-based fees?
No. However, such fee arrangements may be permitted by rule or order of the Administrator.
What type of information will be found in an investment adviser’s ADV Part I? 5
- Firm name,
- # of employees,
- nature of business,
- history of officers/directors,
- legal/disciplinary action in past 10 years
Any material changes to Form ADV must be filed ___________.
Any material changes to Form ADV must be filed promptly (within 30 days).
When are non-material (routine) changes to Form ADV required to be filed?
Routine items require an amendment within 90 days after the end of the IA’s fiscal year.
Identify some non-material (routine) changes to Form ADV.
- A change in the number of discretionary accounts or 2. a change in the dollar amount under management by the adviser
When is Form ADV-W filed?
When an adviser withdraws its registration
With what system do IAs file their registration applications?
The Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD)
ADV Part I is a disclosure document for use by the _____ and the ________________.
ADV Part I is a disclosure document for use by the SEC and the Administrator.
Who operates the IARD?
FINRA
When should routine changes to an adviser’s ADV be filed?
Within 90 days of the end of the adviser’s fiscal year
When should significant changes to an adviser’s ADV be filed?
Promptly (within 30 days)
When must a federal adviser file an updating amendment to determine continued eligibility for SEC registration?
Within 90 days of the end of the adviser’s fiscal year.
True or False: An IA must physically deliver its brochure to clients at least annually.
False. At a minimum, the IA must (in writing) offer to deliver its brochure annually.
Identify the acronym: IAR
Investment Adviser Representative
What is Form ADV?
The form filed by investment advisers for registration