Consulting for Your RIA
Running a fee-only business (as a hybrid or RIA-only advisor registered with the SEC) means being responsible for compliance oversight. But it’s not something you need to do on your own.
Commonwealth’s RIA Compliance Consulting Program offers two tiers of service to guide you through a smooth transition and support you as your business evolves.
We’ll guide you through this exciting new chapter, working with you to complete your SEC registration. You can expect the process to take approximately four to six months and cover:
The Initial Meeting
You’ll start by meeting with members of our RIA Compliance, RIA Services, and Transition teams to review goals, set expectations, and identify key deliverables. We’ll gather information and ask strategic questions to help the teams learn about you and your business, and then we will effectively prepare the required documents.
At that point, we will help you:
Plan for the required client notification and/or consent period
Establish a timeline of major dates to ensure that registration stays on track
Review internal documents that need updating or completing if you are currently affiliated with Commonwealth under a different model
Identify staff who require registration as Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs); they will need Form ADV 2B and U4 filings
Preparation of Disclosure Documents
Your registration requires you to file multiple documents with the SEC (or state securities regulator if your AUM is less than $100 million). These documents will describe your firm, advisory services, clients, fees, and conflicts of interest, among other important topics, and include:
Form ADV, parts 1A and 2A
Form ADV, part 2B (for IARs)
Form CRS
Privacy policy statement
We will help you amend forms for an existing entity or draft new documents if you are setting up a new firm. In addition, you will have access to templated documents, customizable for your firm, that will help streamline your efforts. Our compliance team is available to answer questions and provide guidance along the way.
Filing Support
Need help with your registration? We can serve as your account administrator on the Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD), providing ongoing support while we help you draft Form ADV part 1A and U4, if needed.
Once those are drafted, we will:
Send necessary documents to you via email
Hold regular meetings to work through questions and comments
File final documents through the IARD on the agreed-upon registration date
Drafting of Firm Governance Documents
You must maintain key documents that define how your compliance program operates. Our team will work with you to draft policies that fit your business. Required policies include:
Compliance manual
Business continuity plan
Code of ethics
Succession plan
Social media policy
Firmwide Support for Everything You Do
Your partnership with Commonwealth means that you have access to all the tools, resources, and support you need for every part of your business, including:
An array of educational content that includes anti-money-laundering training and e-learning resources for advisory fee reports and forms
Virtual and in-person events, such as our National Conference and quarterly RIA roundtable series
The added support you need to run and grow your practice, including marketing, technology, planning, and practice management consulting
Your Business, Your Way
Operating as an RIA-only or hybrid advisor gives you more control over how you run your business and more flexibility in marketing yourself.
With Commonwealth’s RIA Consulting program, we can ease the burden of compliance oversight as you continue to grow. That way, you’ll have time to focus on what you do best.
Choose your path
Flexible Ways to Affiliate
Solo or ensemble? Employee-based or independent? No matter where you're coming from, pick the model that works for your business today—and tomorrow.
Consulting for a Fee
Your clients need more than investment management. That's why we offer in-house consulting programs that compensate you for the valuable services you provide.
Delegate Portfolio Management
Choose the best way to serve your clients and manage your business with a range of advisory programs that allow you to delegate investment management while you retain the relationship.
