FINRA & SEC Compliance
Kaufman Rossin’s dedicated financial services team includes former Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulators who have led national examinations and trained financial services professionals on numerous regulatory issues.
We can help broker-dealers, registered investment advisers and private fund managers navigate FINRA and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulatory compliance obligations and stay in compliance with various rules and regulations.
FINRA Compliance & SEC Compliance Services
From regulatory exams to day-to-day program management, our team supports broker-dealers, RIAs, and private fund managers at every stage of the compliance lifecycle.
Exam & Regulatory Response
- Assistance with FINRA, state, and SEC examination requests: Support in preparing and responding to examinations from FINRA, state, and SEC regulators.
- Offsite and onsite assistance with FINRA and SEC regulatory inquiries: Direct support for handling regulatory inquiries and investigations by FINRA.
- Mock regulatory exams and branch examinations: Conducting mock exams and branch inspections to prepare firms for actual regulatory examinations.
- Litigation consulting and on-the-record testimony preparation: Consultation and preparation services for litigation and on-the-record testimonies.
- Independent investigations into potential sales practice violations: Conducting investigations into allegations of sales practice violations to ensure compliance and maintain integrity.
AML & Supervisory Compliance
- Independent Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Program Testing (FINRA Rule 3310): Comprehensive evaluation of AML programs to assess risk management and regulatory compliance.
- Supervisory Controls Assessment (FINRA 3120): Assessment of supervisory systems and controls to ensure effectiveness and compliance.
- Annual compliance program review (SEC Rule 206(4)-7): Detailed review of compliance programs to confirm alignment with SEC requirements.
- Ongoing updates of the firm’s written supervisory procedures and compliance manuals: Regular updates and revisions of the firm’s supervisory procedures to keep them current with regulatory changes.
Registration & Membership
- New Membership Application (NMA) assistance for FINRA membership: Assistance with the process of applying for FINRA membership through the NMA process.
- Continuing Membership Application (CMA) assistance: Support for completing and submitting the CMA for existing FINRA members.
- SEC and State registration and obligations compliance for investment advisers and private fund managers: Help with navigating both the SEC and State registration process and compliance obligations for investment advisers and private fund managers.
Ongoing Compliance Program Management
- Outsourced Compliance Services: Provide support and resources to investment advisers and broker-dealers.
- Compliance training and education: Provision of training programs on compliance and regulatory issues for financial services professionals.
- Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) and Form CRS compliance: Guidance on adhering to the standards of Reg BI and Form CRS for client relationship summaries.
- Modernized Marketing Rule: Establish marketing framework for investment advisers.
Emerging Risk
- AI Consulting, Risk Assessment, and Framework Implementation: Assess AI regulatory risks and assist with the AI regulatory framework, including governance, compliance, record-keeping, and risk management.
Regulatory compliance at a glance*
Disciplinary actions filed by FINRA in 2025
FINRA fines and disgorgement ordered in 2025
Restitution ordered to investors in 2025
*Source: Key FINRA Statistics, 2021–2025. FINRA. https://www.finra.org/media-center/statistics
Navigating FINRA and SEC’s 2026 examination priorities
The SEC’s 2026 Examination Priorities, the first issued under Chairman Paul Atkins, sharpen the focus on fiduciary duty, compliance program effectiveness, and emerging risk areas like cash sweep programs and prime brokerage operations, along with added scrutiny of conflicts at dually registered investment advisers and broker-dealer firms. FINRA’s continuing “FINRA Forward” initiative is reshaping examinations into a more targeted, risk-based process, with sustained emphasis on cybersecurity, AI governance, and Regulation Best Interest. Firms must be proactive in aligning their compliance programs with these areas.
Kaufman Rossin’s expertise in SEC and FINRA regulations, combined with our proactive approach to compliance, positions your firm to confidently face regulatory examinations and capitalize on opportunities for growth.
Maintaining AML compliance amidst regulatory changes
In a regulatory environment where AML compliance is under intense scrutiny, staying ahead requires a robust AML program and a keen understanding of regulatory expectations. Kaufman Rossin’s AML services, informed by insights from the SEC’s risk alerts and our deep regulatory expertise, can provide tailored guidance for your firm to not only meet but exceed the AML compliance standards set by regulators.
The value of FINRA & SEC compliance consultants
Navigating the complex landscape of FINRA and SEC regulations requires a blend of expertise and foresight that can only be provided by specialized compliance consultants. The value of partnering with consultants who understand both FINRA and SEC frameworks lies in their ability to deliver tailored guidance and support, helping your firm stay in compliance with a broad spectrum of regulatory standards while safeguarding its reputation in a competitive market.
Kaufman Rossin’s team, comprising former regulators and industry veterans, brings deep regulatory knowledge and practical experience. Our comprehensive support extends across both spectrums – from annual risk-based anti-money laundering program assessments and supervisory controls assessments required by FINRA, to navigating the SEC’s Marketing Rule and verifying that fiduciary responsibilities are met.
By entrusting your compliance strategy to our experts, your firm is positioned for success amidst the evolving demands of a stringent regulatory environment, helping you stay ahead of compliance issues and maintain operational excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions
A compliance consultant helps broker-dealers, RIAs, and private fund managers build and maintain the policies, testing, and supervisory controls that FINRA and SEC rules require, and supports firms through exams, registration, and regulatory inquiries.
Many firms do. An in-house CCO often benefits from an independent second set of eyes, particularly for annual reviews, AML testing, and mock exams, where regulators expect genuine independence from day-to-day operations.
FINRA Rule 3310 requires broker-dealers to complete an annual, risk-based independent test of their AML program. Depending on a broker-dealer’s business model, they can have their AML reviewed completed every two years.
FINRA examines broker-dealers as a self-regulatory organization, while the SEC’s Division of Examinations oversees registered investment advisers, investment companies, and broker-dealers directly. Firms that are dually registered can face both.
Our team includes former FINRA and SEC regulators who know what examiners look for, paired with the full resources of a CPA firm, so compliance, audit, tax, and cybersecurity support all come from the same advisor rather than a patchwork of vendors. And because Kaufman Rossin remains independently owned, with no outside investors or competing priorities, our advice answers only to your firm’s interests, not to a private equity timeline.
A mock exam walks through the same document requests, interviews, and testing a real FINRA or SEC exam would involve, so the firm can identify and fix gaps before regulators do.
