Practical Compliance Support Grounded in Experience

Annual Reviews and Independent Testing

Independent testing helps firms determine whether their policies and procedures are appropriately designed, consistently implemented, and responsive to the risks presented by their businesses.

Services include:

• SEC Rule 206(4)-7 annual compliance reviews
• FINRA Rule 3120 supervisory control testing
• FINRA Rule 3130 certification support
• Independent AML testing
• Compliance risk assessments
• Compliance program gap analyses
• Mock SEC, FINRA, and state regulatory examinations
• Branch and office examinations
• Testing of books and records, disclosures, and operational controls
• Written findings and practical recommendations

Regulatory Examination Readiness and Support

Regulatory examinations can require significant preparation, organization, and coordination. Bostic Principled Solutions helps firms assess their readiness and respond effectively throughout the examination process.

Support may include:

• Examination readiness assessments
• Preliminary document and record reviews
• Regulatory request-list coordination
• Review of draft regulatory responses
• Identification of potential compliance gaps
• Preparation of management and employees for interviews
• Examination tracking and project management
• Deficiency-response and remediation support
• Review of corrective-action documentation

Compliance Programs, Policies, and Documents

Compliance documents should reflect how a firm actually conducts its business. Bostic Principled Solutions develops and reviews customized policies, procedures, disclosures, agreements, forms, and compliance tools.

Services include:

• Investment adviser compliance policies and procedures
• Broker-dealer written supervisory procedures
• Regulation Best Interest policies
• Codes of ethics
• Privacy policies and notices
• Cybersecurity policies
• Business continuity plans
• Compliance calendars
• Form ADV Part 2A brochures
• Form CRS
• Wrap fee brochures
• Best-execution review tools
• Vendor and product due-diligence checklists
• Client forms, disclosures, and compliance templates
• Review of advisory, financial-planning, retirement-plan, referral, subscription, and sub-advisory agreements

Document-development services are compliance-focused and do not constitute legal advice. Firms should involve qualified legal counsel when legal interpretation or advice is required.

Registration and Regulatory Filings

Bostic Principled Solutions assists new and established advisory businesses with registration filings and related regulatory documentation.

Services include:

• State investment adviser registration
• SEC investment adviser registration
• Private fund and hedge fund adviser registration
• Exempt reporting adviser filings
• Form ADV Part 1 preparation
• Form ADV Part 2A brochure preparation
• Form U4 and adviser registration assistance
• Additional state registrations and notice filings
• Investment adviser representative registrations
• Regulatory deficiency-response support
• Coordination with regulators during the registration process

Registration requirements and timelines vary by jurisdiction, business model, and regulatory authority.

Advertising, Communications, and Digital Compliance

Marketing and communications should accurately describe the firm and its services while addressing applicable SEC, FINRA, and state requirements.

Services include:

• Website and digital-content reviews
• Investment adviser advertising reviews
• Broker-dealer communications-with-the-public reviews
• Performance advertising reviews
• Disclosure and workflow reviews for internet and mobile-app advisers
• Review of brochures, presentations, social media content, and client communications
• Evaluation of advertising-review procedures and documentation
• Compliance review of AI-assisted content

Training and Ongoing Compliance Support

Compliance programs are more effective when employees understand both the requirements and the reasons behind them. Training and advisory services are customized to the firm's business, personnel, and regulatory responsibilities.

Services include:

• Chief Compliance Officer training and support
• Annual compliance meetings
• AML training
• Customized employee compliance training
• Regulatory and supervisory education
• Ad hoc compliance consulting
• Compliance calendar support
• Policy-implementation guidance
• Remediation and corrective-action support
• Custom compliance programs
• Ongoing project-based or fractional compliance assistance

Bostic Principled Solutions is a NASAA-approved IAR CE content provider offering selected courses for IAR continuing education credit.