Branch Audit Planning Archives

When a broker dealer hears the words “annual audit season”, it can feel like the initial effects of hay fever or pollen season hitting you smack in the face. It is not fun. You may break out in sweats, have night terrors, or worse yet, not have a great understanding of the necessity of an annual audit. Two of the most important aspects of annual audit season are as follows: having a great financial bookkeeper and having communicative Financial Operations Principal (FINOP). With these two professionals in your corner, your broker dealer should be able to rest easy during this Read more about Annual Audit Season[…]

Investment advisers should consider the need to perform a branch office inspection of branch offices pursuant to a branch office inspection schedule. Firms should consider whether a branch audit is warranted using factors such as nature and complexity of the branch’s business, volume of business, complaints, disclosures, number of registered persons, and other relevant factors determined by the firm. Firms are to document the exam schedules for each branch office including a description of the factors used to determine the exam cycle for such locations.

Various states require investment advisers to conduct regular inspections of their branch offices. For example, an investment adviser registered in Georgia is required to inspect each office location at least annually to ensure that its written policies and procedures are enforced. Even when an investment adviser is not explicitly required to conduct branch inspections, it should still implement a branch inspection program as part of its supervisory procedures. Also, investment advisers lacking an adequate branch office inspection program expose themselves to significant liability for failure to supervise in the event misconduct at the branch goes undetected.

Tag: Branch Audit Planning

Annual Audit Season

RIA Branch Audit Planning