Business Continuity Planning

Instructors: TBD

Description: Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is much more than data storage and recovery. Disasters across the country in recent years have highlighted the importance of an effective BCP process to ensure that firms survive these and similar events, fulfill their fiduciary obligations to clients, adhere to regulations and maintain the safety of their employees.

Best practices dictate that firms develop, test and maintain a scenario-based plan that considers not only data integrity, but all mission-critical aspects of the business, including human assets. In the adopting release to the Compliance Programs Rules, the SEC referred to BCP as one of several areas that firms, “at a minimum,” are expected to address. The SEC routinely requests these plans during examinations and appears to be issuing deficiencies in this area with increased frequency.

This seminar will provide the framework for developing a sound BCP process with a special emphasis on some of the lessons that can be learned from recent disasters of varying magnitude as well as from examiner expectations.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the regulatory and compliance background of BCP to help manage compliance expectations
• Examine Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity Planning concepts to develop the most appropriate process that minimizes liability and improves safety for your firm
• Discuss actual Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity examples to help evaluate what processes might work effectively for your firm’s business and its employees

For whom:

• Chief Compliance Officers
• Business Continuity Planning Officers
• Compliance Staff at all levels
• IT personnel
• Legal counsel
• Management

Suggested Skill Level: Intermediate

Prerequisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Advisers Act: Framework of the Act - Duty to Supervise; Who Must Register; Exclusions and Exemptions; State and Federal Responsibilities

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Framework of the Act course highlights include:

• Overview of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
• Section 201 -Findings
• Section 202 – Definitions and Related SEC Rules
• Section 203 – Registration of Investment Advisers and Related SEC Rules
• Section 203A - State and Federal Responsibilities and Related SEC Rules
• Sections 207-221
• Section 222 – State Regulation of Investment Advisers and Related SEC Rules

For whom:

• Chief Compliance Officers
• Compliance Staff at all levels
• Internal auditors
• Legal counsel
• Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Each Advisers Act course provides the instruction and tools to:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure, content and terms of the Advisers Act for quick, easy reference and response
• Prioritize work flow and assign tasks for establishing effective policy, procedures and internal controls and for minimizing risk and fines
• Pinpoint the SEC areas of concern that should drive required written compliance policies and procedures
• Understand the relationship among internal controls, internal reviews and the risk-based SEC examination program
• Examine the use of checklists, timetables, SEC Document Requests Lists, exception reports and staff interviews to implement a strong compliance program
• Discuss transactional, periodic and forensic testing of policies and procedures as tools of the risk assessment process
• Identify systemic problems to initiate and implement prompt corrective action
• Understand changes in the SEC examination process

Advisers Act: Books and Records –Today’s Requirements

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Books and Records course highlights include:

• Section 204 - Reports by Investment Advisers
• Rule 204-1 - Amendments to application for registration
• Rule 204-2 - Books and records to be maintained by investment advisers

For whom:

• Chief Compliance Officers
• Compliance Staff at all levels
• Internal auditors
• Legal counsel
• Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Each Advisers Act course provides the instruction and tools to:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure, content and terms of the Advisers Act for quick, easy reference and response
• Prioritize work flow and assign tasks for establishing effective policy, procedures and internal controls and for minimizing risk and fines
• Pinpoint the SEC areas of concern that should drive required written compliance policies and procedures
• Understand the relationship among internal controls, internal reviews and the risk-based SEC examination program
• Examine the use of checklists, timetables, SEC Document Requests Lists, exception reports and staff interviews to implement a strong compliance program
• Discuss transactional, periodic and forensic testing of policies and procedures as tools of the risk assessment process
• Identify systemic problems to initiate and implement prompt corrective action
• Understand changes in the SEC examination process

Advisers Act: Brochure Rule; Insider Trading; Code of Ethics; Contracts

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Brochure Rule, Insider Trading, Code of Ethics and Contracts course highlights include:

• Rule 204-3 - Written disclosure statements
• Section 204A - Prevention of Misuse of Non-public Information
• Rule 204A-1 - Investment adviser codes of ethics
• Section 205 - Investment Advisory Contracts and Related SEC Rules

For whom:

• Chief Compliance Officers
• Compliance Staff at all levels
• Internal auditors
• Legal counsel
• Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Each Advisers Act course provides the instruction and tools to:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure, content and terms of the Advisers Act for quick, easy reference and response
• Prioritize work flow and assign tasks for establishing effective policy, procedures and internal controls and for minimizing risk and fines
• Pinpoint the SEC areas of concern that should drive required written compliance policies and procedures
• Understand the relationship among internal controls, internal reviews and the risk-based SEC examination program
• Examine the use of checklists, timetables, SEC Document Requests Lists, exception reports and staff interviews to implement a strong compliance program
• Discuss transactional, periodic and forensic testing of policies and procedures as tools of the risk assessment process
• Identify systemic problems to initiate and implement prompt corrective action
• Understand changes in the SEC examination process

Title: Adviser’s Act: Anti-Fraud Rules Part I

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Anti-Fraud Rules Part I course highlights include:

• Section 206 Prohibited Transactions by Investment Advisers and Related SEC Rules
• Rule 206(3)-2 Agency cross transactions for advisory clients
• Rule 206(4)-1 Advertisements by investment advisers
• Rule 206(4)-8 Pooled investment vehicles

For whom:

• Chief Compliance Officers
• Compliance Staff at all levels
• Internal auditors
• Legal counsel
• Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Each Advisers Act course provides the instruction and tools to:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure, content and terms of the Advisers Act for quick, easy reference and response
• Prioritize work flow and assign tasks for establishing effective policy, procedures and internal controls and for minimizing risk and fines
• Pinpoint the SEC areas of concern that should drive required written compliance policies and procedures
• Understand the relationship among internal controls, internal reviews and the risk-based SEC examination program
• Examine the use of checklists, timetables, SEC Document Requests Lists, exception reports and staff interviews to implement a strong compliance program
• Discuss transactional, periodic and forensic testing of policies and procedures as tools of the risk assessment process
• Identify systemic problems to initiate and implement prompt corrective action
• Understand changes in the SEC examination process

Advisers Act: Anti-Fraud Rules - Part II

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Anti-Fraud Rules - Part II course highlights include:

• Rule 206(4)-2 Custody or possession of funds or securities of clients
• Rule 206(4)-3 Cash payments for client solicitations
• Rule 206(4)-4 Financial and disciplinary information that investment advisers must disclose to clients
• Rule 206(4)-5 Political Contributions by certain investment advisers (PROPOSED)
• Rule 206(4)-6 Proxy Voting

For whom:

• Chief Compliance Officers
• Compliance Staff at all levels
• Internal auditors
• Legal counsel
• Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Each Advisers Act course provides the instruction and tools to:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure, content and terms of the Advisers Act for quick, easy reference and response
• Prioritize work flow and assign tasks for establishing effective policy, procedures and internal controls and for minimizing risk and fines
• Pinpoint the SEC areas of concern that should drive required written compliance policies and procedures
• Understand the relationship among internal controls, internal reviews and the risk-based SEC examination program
• Examine the use of checklists, timetables, SEC Document Requests Lists, exception reports and staff interviews to implement a strong compliance program
• Discuss transactional, periodic and forensic testing of policies and procedures as tools of the risk assessment process
• Identify systemic problems to initiate and implement prompt corrective action
• Understand changes in the SEC examination process

Advisers Act: Anti-Fraud Rules Compliance Programs Rules and Mastering the Annual Review

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Anti -Fraud Rules Compliance Programs Rules and Mastering the Annual Review course highlights include:

• Rule 206(4)-7 Compliance procedures and practices

Compliance professionals must be ever mindful of the ongoing mandates embodied in Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act and Rule 38-1 under the Investment Company Act to maintain, review, test and modify written compliance policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to detect violations and weaknesses in internal controls and compliance systems. Commonly referred to as the “Compliance Programs Rules”, the rules specifically require that advisers and funds implement and maintain policies and procedures designed to detect, prevent and correct compliance problems in key areas of their operations and to conduct an at least annual review to gauge their effectiveness. This seminar will identify essential internal controls and compliance testing and documentation procedures within the structure of a "real-world" practical compliance program. Also being covered is how to conduct periodic or annual compliance reviews that identify and address compliance gaps or risks, including the level of detail appropriate for an annual review report.

For whom:

• Chief Compliance Officers
• Compliance Staff at all levels
• Internal auditors
• Legal counsel
• Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Each Advisers Act course provides the instruction and tools to:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure, content and terms of the Advisers Act for quick, easy reference and response
• Prioritize work flow and assign tasks for establishing effective policy, procedures and internal controls and for minimizing risk and fines
• Pinpoint the SEC areas of concern that should drive required written compliance policies and procedures
• Understand the relationship among internal controls, internal reviews and the risk-based SEC examination program
• Examine the use of checklists, timetables, SEC Document Requests Lists, exception reports and staff interviews to implement a strong compliance program
• Discuss transactional, periodic and forensic testing of policies and procedures as tools of the risk assessment process
• Identify systemic problems to initiate and implement prompt corrective action
• Understand changes in the SEC examination process

Form ADV Part 1 and Regulatory Reporting
February 18, 2010
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Experts will systematically walk through Form ADV Part 1 – including the latest revisions relating to the recent Custody Rule amendments. Form ADV instructions require SEC and state registered investment advisers to submit an Annual Updating Amendment to Form ADV Part 1 filing via the IARD system within 90 days of their firm's fiscal year-end. This session will review what’s required as part of this mandatory electronic filing, as well as provide guidance on correlating the information reported in Form ADV Part 1 to disclosures in Form ADV Part II. Inaccurate and/or inadequate Form ADV disclosures are consistently cited in the SEC's and many states' list of 'Top Ten Deficiencies’.

In addition to a detailed overview of Form ADV Part 1, Schedule D, and applicable Form ADV Part 1 Instructions, instructors will help you fully understand Annual Amendment filing requirements, appreciate the meaning of certain key words and terms and avoid making common mistakes.

This session will also provide a brief summary of Form 13F, Schedule 13D and Schedule 13G reporting procedures under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the applicability of these filings to certain investment advisers.

Instructors will focus on:

• Understanding Annual Amendment filing requirements, and avoid making common mistakes.
• Provide insight and clarity into the information being sought in Form ADV Part 1 to ensure your firm is accurately reporting such information.
• Establish a team approach to develop and maintain a Form ADV Part 1 that complies with regulations and is consistent with your firm's Form ADV Part II, policies and procedures, advisory contracts, client communications and advertising.
• Understanding the basic mechanics of Form 13F, Schedule 13D and Schedule 13G reporting requirements.

Form ADV Part 2 and Identifying and Disclosing Conflicts of Interest
February 23, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Disclosure, disclosure, disclosure. You’ve heard it many times, but do you understand how to disclose your firm’s vital information to clients in ways that will withstand regulatory scrutiny? Expert instructors will systematically walk through Form ADV Part II and help you learn what the SEC wants you to disclose and why. In addition, learn procedures to help assure that information in your firm’s Form ADV Part II is consistent with Form ADV Part 1, marketing materials, and advisory agreements.

The SEC is now in the process of digesting the public comments that have been submitted in response to the proposed amendments to Part II. The long-anticipated amendments are designed to provide clients with narrative brochures containing plain English descriptions of an investment adviser’s business, services, and conflicts of interest. The proposed changes also would require advisers to file their brochures electronically, and the brochures would be available to the public through the IAPD website. Regardless of the outcome of this protracted rule-making process, it is clear that plain English disclosure of adviser conflicts of interest is a regulatory imperative that should command the attention of compliance professionals in the current regulatory environment. We'll take you past basic disclosure to an understanding and appreciation of what regulators mean when they talk about 'full and fair' disclosure. Your firm's Form ADV is a cornerstone of your firm’s fiduciary duty to its clients.

Instructors will focus on:

• Movement away from the current “check-the-box” format and related disclosure schedules to a free-form, plain English, narrative brochure.
• Enhanced conflicts of interest disclosure. Identifying conflicts of interest and enhanced disclosure about actual and potential conflicts of interest such as the use of affiliated brokers, soft dollars, side-by-side management of accounts that pay performance fees, and receipt of compensation from issuers of financial products the adviser recommends to clients.
• Providing insight and clarity into the information being sought in Form ADV Part II to ensure your firm is accurately reporting such information.
• Establish a team approach to develop and maintain a Form ADV Part II that complies with regulations and is consistent with your firm's Form ADV Part 1, policies and procedures, advisory contracts, client communications and advertising.

Investment Adviser Performance and Advertising
Understanding the Advertising Rule, Performance Presentation, and related SEC No-Actions Letters
March 2, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Investment adviser advertising continues to be one of the top problem areas identified by the SEC. Advertising and performance often present complex issues for all advisers, as well as many traps for the unwary, frequent exam deficiencies and, in the worst cases, potential for SEC enforcement actions. The SEC has devoted considerable attention to how and under what circumstances investment advisers may advertise their services and present performance to clients. This session is designed to help advisers avoid the common pitfalls and understand the fundamental advertising rule requirements and the many SEC no-action letters covering testimonials, partial client lists, websites, presenting gross and net performance and the numerous required, and recommended, disclosures for advertising and performance materials.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the specific SEC advertising Rule as well as performance presentation and recordkeeping requirements.
• Review and understand the important and diverse SEC no-action letters covering advertising and performance to gain guidance beyond the rule requirements.
• Discuss practical tips for an effective review/checklist for advertising & performance materials as well as policies and procedures.

For Whom:

• Chief Compliance Officers
• Internal auditors
• Compliance Staff at all levels
• Marketing personnel
• Legal counsel
• Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based and Group Live

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, especially Section 206 & Rules 206(4) – 1 (Advertisements) & 204-2 (Books & Records) to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Post-Madoff Focus on Custody: Understanding the New Amendments to the SEC Custody Rule
March 4, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

One of the many outgrowths of the Madoff debacle is the SEC's proactive focus on the safe and sound custody of client assets. Compliance with the safekeeping and other provisions of the Advisers Act custody rule, Rule 206(4)-2, will be front and center for SEC examiners in 2010, especially in light of the changes to the custody rule that were adopted by the Commission on December 30, 2009. The Adopting Release for the final rule amendments provides specific guidance regarding the types of internal controls that advisers should consider implementing with respect to the safekeeping of client assets. Examples include controls over the movement of client assets, testing the effectiveness of the firm’s controls over the safekeeping of client assets, and particular attention to the deduction of advisory fees directly from client accounts. SEC examiners will also be expecting that advisers conduct periodic reconciliation and asset verification and have policies and procedures in place to address how they will monitor qualified custodians and verify that client statements are being delivered.

Our expert speakers will discuss the specific provisions and mandated timelines set forth in the recent amendments to the custody rule (and the compliance implications for your firm), including the annual surprise examination for investment advisers, the internal control examination for advisers or certain related persons that are qualified custodians, and amendments to Form ADV that will require investment advisers to report more detailed information about custody practices.

The session will also cover such core elements of the rule as the definition of custody, use of qualified custodians and delivery of account statements, special new provisions for pooled investment vehicles and privately-offered securities, unintended custody and relevant SEC no-action relief, and controls to protect against personnel misappropriating client assets.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the core elements of the new custody rule requirements and compliance timelines
• Learn how to avoid and address having unintended custody
• Understand the scope of an adviser’s duty in this area and what constitutes prudent best practices
• Determine appropriate policies and procedures

For Whom: Investment advisers, legal counsel, compliance professionals

Suggested Skill Level: Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based

Pre-requisites for participation: Attendees should have a basic understanding of the provisions and terminology contained within the Advisers Act of 1940

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Investment Adviser Codes of Ethics – Requirements and Best Practices
Monitoring Personal Securities Trading and Gifts and Entertainment
March 9, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Ethics is not an option; it’s a requirement. Since the adoption of the SEC Rule on Codes of Ethics, every registered investment adviser firm must adopt codes of ethics that establish standards of conduct and address conflicts that arise from personal trading issues. Many state advisers have also adopted a Code of Ethics either in response to state mandates or as an industry best practice. Instruction and guidance for this course focus on identifying the required components of standard codes of ethics and learning how to draft plans for implementing firm-wide ethics policies and procedures that both help remind adviser personnel of their obligations to clients and avoid conflicts of interest.

Learning Objectives:

This course offers you the opportunity to

• Understand and implement the requirements of SEC Rule 204A-1: Investment Adviser Codes of Ethics
• Explain processes for monitoring and controlling personal securities trading by adviser personnel to avoid potential conflicts and possible ethics violations
• Review requirements for ADV disclosure and recordkeeping
• Comprehend the processes for administering and tailoring a code of ethics for your firm

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Ethics Officers, Compliance Staff at all levels, Management, Legal counsel, Auditors

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, especially Rule 204A-1, to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Ethical Decision-Making and Lessons Learned from SEC Enforcement Cases
March 11, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

The Investment Advisers Act of 1940 is based on the central premise that investment advisers are fiduciaries to their clients. As a fiduciary, an investment adviser has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty, and good faith to act in the best interests of its clients. The fiduciary nature of an investment adviser’s obligations creates an ethical component to essentially all of the firm’s activities.

Business ethics for business organizations, including investment advisers, can be defined as written and unwritten codes of conduct and values that govern decisions and actions of individuals within an organization, as well as the organization as a whole. An organization’s ethical culture sets standards for determining the difference between good and bad decision-making and behavior. However, the distinctions between moral right and wrong are not always so clear. Such situations can lead to ethical dilemmas and compromise your firm’s mission to adequately fulfill its fiduciary duty as an investment adviser.

The expert instructors for this session will analyze both the conceptual scope and practical reach of an adviser’s fiduciary duty to its clientele and how the SEC applies this standard to your compliance program and the conduct of your firm’s employees. The session will also cover identification and resolution of conflicts of interest, best practices for inculcation of a strong ethical culture of compliance throughout your firm, the respective roles of management and compliance in driving this process, and a survey of instructive SEC enforcement cases.

Learning Objectives:

This Ethics courses offers the opportunity to

• Participate in a dialogue about ethical decision-making to enhance your and your firm’s ethical awareness
• Review examples of ethical decision-making to critique potential decisions
• Use SEC enforcement cases to identify, analyze and discuss ways to resolve universal ethical dilemmas and challenges.

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Ethics Officers, Compliance Staff at all levels, Management, Legal counsel, Auditors

Suggested Skill Level: Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, especially Rule 204A-1, to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Ethics: Mastering Critical Skills for High Performance Compliance Professionals

April 19, 2010
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST

Presented by:
Ann Oglanian, CEO of ReGroup LLC

Compliance professionals all over the country are struggling with how to get what you need for a successful compliance program. Strategic planning is a powerful business process that will help you organize your thinking, your work and your success – it will help you gain credibility and give you a rock solid basis for requesting the resources you need to be successful. It works because the process translates fundamental business planning into compliance risk assessment and budgeting. Learn how to present your compliance program in the business terms your peers will understand – and help your boss understand your successes. This straight-forward strategic planning process will give you what you need to effectively prioritize and organize and measure your efforts.

This session will show you how to:

• Create a common language to evaluate your compliance program
• Use risk management techniques to prioritize your results
• Turn data into useful information
• Conduct a strategic planning session
• Support resource requests
• Assign the right resources to the right risks with confidence
• Format results into a powerful business document that can guide your key initiatives throughout the year
• Ensure that your initiatives are aligned with business goals
• Get management buy-in
• Measure the contribution of compliance to your firm

The materials for this workshop include a PowerPoint presentation format you can use as a basis to describe your strategic plan to business leaders.

Professional Ethics for Compliance Professionals

April 22, 2010
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM EDT

Presented by:
Ann Oglanian, President and CEO, ReGroup, LLC
Kurt Wachholz, CCO, Wellspring Wealth Management

You have your Code and have applied the Rule, now what? Moving beyond the code, how do you address ethical dilemmas in your firm? This intermediate level ethics workshop utilizes scenario-based training and group discussion to engage attendees in analyzing and responding to real-world ethical issues confronted by compliance professionals and the various members of the firm.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the nature of ethical dilemmas and conflicts of Interest
• Understand ethics as it applies to the roles within the organization
• Learn the Language of Ethics – How do you communicate it within the organization
• Develop techniques for identifying ethical situations and methods for mitigating
• Learn how to improve your ethics program while earning your CE credits.

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Legal Counsel, Compliance Staff at all levels, Management

Suggested Skill Level: Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based and Group Live

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and specifically the Code of Ethic Rule to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Ethics Credit: 2

Portfolio Compliance and Valuation

May 11, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Recent market events offer valuable lessons regarding the need for effective policies and controls addressing the timely and accurate valuation of securities and other investments. Valuation and pricing should be an area of prime concern to minimize your legal, regulatory and operational risk. Among the issues addressed will be: oversight of the valuation process, use of valuation committees to focus on valuation and pricing issues, use of pricing services, “end of day checks” of security valuation by the portfolio manager, review of overrides by appropriate personnel, etc. This presentation will emphasize the “best practices” that the SEC staff has identified during examinations and highlight those areas where enforcement actions have been brought.

This session will also focus on the critical risk area of portfolio compliance. Managing a client’s portfolio within relevant limitations and objectives is one of the most important fiduciary responsibilities of an investment adviser. Investment advisers are responsible for knowing their clients' investment policies, guidelines and mandates, as well as any other applicable investment restrictions, and for managing their clients’ accounts strictly in accordance with such guidelines and restrictions. Compliance with client guidelines and, when applicable, statutory or regulatory investment restrictions, is typically a contractual requirement under the terms of a client’s investment advisory agreement. The SEC views consistency of portfolio management decisions with clients' mandates as a primary internal control process. One of the greatest risks a firm faces is that client portfolios are accidentally managed in ways that expose client assets to a higher risk of loss.

The speakers will outline appropriate portfolio compliance policies, manual and automated internal controls, and pre-trade and post-trade monitoring processes that the SEC typically expects to see in place.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the reasons behind the SEC’s current focus on valuation
• Recognize conflicts of interest that may arise with the valuation process
• Review and prioritizing pricing sources
• Resolve differing valuations between managers, sub-advisers and custodians
• Customize valuation procedures and supervising the valuation process
• Develop forensic tests of valuation procedures
• Ensure portfolio manager and compliance knowledge of client guidelines and all applicable investment restrictions
• Explore approaches to portfolio compliance monitoring
• Understand how to investigate, correct and report breaches
• Discuss periodic compliance certifications and audits

For Whom: Compliance officers and staff, as well as persons involved with client reporting, composite performance reporting, determining assets under management for client billing, and/or trading and reconciliation of illiquid securities. Persons involved with monitoring client portfolios.

Pre-requisites for participation: A basic understanding of the principles and regulations arising from the Investment Advisers Act of 1940

Professional Ethics for Compliance Professionals

Social Networking Compliance Challenges for IAs and BDs

May 13, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: Deborah Well- Director of E-Business, Harbor Capital Advisors
Bill Cavell- Executive Consultant, IA Services NRS

Description: Friends and profiles, professional networking, micro-blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter must now be addressed in your compliance program. Are your employees using firm premises and equipment to communicate with clients in the social networking environment? Is e-marketing being conducted? What about the confidentiality of firm and client information? This seminar will bring you up to speed on these communication portals, the risks they pose and regulators’ expectations regarding oversight and supervision

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the various social media i.e. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. and their uses by firm employees
• Understand the SEC and FINRA requirements pertaining to recordkeeping, oversight and supervision
• Be able to identify the risks posed by the use of Social Networking sites
• To be able to develop and apply effective compliance procedures to monitor and supervise use of social media sites by employees

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Legal counsel, Compliance Staff at all levels, Management, IT staff, Marketing

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Trading Compliance: Best Execution, Soft Dollars and Directed Brokerage

May 18, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Instructors: Jennifer Choi- Assistant General Counsel, Investment Adviser Association
Michael Caccese- Partner, K&L Gates LLP

Description: As a fiduciary, an investment adviser has many obligations to the client including developing, implementing and testing policies, procedures and disclosures to ensure proper trading practices. Compliance, legal and trading experts will offer an overview of the trading process and appropriate best practices, and provide “hands-on” compliance solutions for the following mission-critical areas:  best execution, soft dollars, and directed brokerage.

This seminar will provide insight into the meaning of “best execution,” and will focus on how strong policies and procedures can help an investment adviser fulfill its fiduciary obligations. Attendees will also learn how to identify, mitigate and manage potential conflicts of interest in the trading process.

The seminar will also discuss the regulatory issues pertaining to “soft dollar” relationships. Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 provides a "safe harbor" for certain research and brokerage services received by an investment adviser in exchange for directing client commissions to a broker-dealer.  The Seminar will focus in particular on the definitions of eligible "research" and "brokerage services," as defined by SEC interpretation.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand relevant requirements, disclosures and conflicts of interest that arise from an adviser’s fiduciary duty to seek best execution
• Understand best practices relating to compliance documentation and monitoring processes relative to best execution, how to evaluate brokerage allocation and SEC guidance regarding soft dollars under Section 28(e)
• Understand the relevant disclosure requirements in connection with directed brokerage and the intersection between directed brokerage and best execution.

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Management, Compliance Staff at all levels, Legal counsel

Personnel involved with client reporting, composite performance reporting, determining assets under management for client billing, and/or trading and reconciliation of illiquid securities. 

Persons involved with monitoring client portfolios.

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: See NRS Continuing Education Guide
Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Anti-Money Laundering Risk Management for IAs and B-Ds

May 20, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Instructors: TBD

Description: The SEC and FINRA have made it clear that a Bank Secrecy Act AML compliance program should be designed commensurate with the organization’s unique risk profile. Two of the goals in creating a BSA/AML risk assessment are to identify vulnerable areas that could be used to facilitate the movement of illegally gotten or used funds, and to develop processes and procedures to mitigate that risk. The same risk management principles that your organization uses in traditional compliance and operational areas should be applied to assessing and managing BSA/AML risk. A well-developed risk assessment will assist in identifying your firm’s BSA/AML risk profile. Understanding the risk profile enables an organization to apply appropriate risk management processes to its BSA/AML compliance program and to better identify and mitigate gaps in its controls.

This session will aid in evaluating the comprehensiveness of your current BSA/AML risk assessment; suggesting areas that may have been overlooked; understanding how documentation lends credibility to your risk assessment; and providing guidance in creating a sound written risk assessment summary.

Our expert instructors will walk you through the risk assessment process and cover other timely AML topics. The session will include:

• In depth review and analysis of specific risk categories such as products, services, customers, entities, transactions and geographic locations
• Insights into developing a risk-based BSA/AML compliance program based upon a documented risk assessment
• AML regulation and enforcement update
• Discussion of SEC/SRO expectations
• OFAC: Recent Developments/What is required
• SARs: Latest trends related to filing, documenting and confidentiality
• Surveillance

Learning Objectives:

• 1) Assess how anti-money laundering rules affect your firm
• 2) Identify sources and implement systems that alert firms to industry requirements and best practices

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the applicable FINCEN or FINRA AML rules and guidance or SEC guidance.

Continuing Education Credits: See NRS Continuing Education Guide
Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Everything You Need to Know About Form ADV Part I and How to Avoid Common Mistakes
June 8, 2010
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Experts will systematically walk through Form ADV Part 1 – including the latest revisions relating to the recent Custody Rule amendments. Form ADV instructions require SEC and state registered investment advisers to submit an Annual Updating Amendment to Form ADV Part 1 filing via the IARD system within 90 days of their firm's fiscal year-end. This session will review what’s required as part of this mandatory electronic filing, as well as provide guidance on correlating the information reported in Form ADV Part 1 to disclosures in Form ADV Part II. Inaccurate and/or inadequate Form ADV disclosures are consistently cited in the SEC's and many states' list of 'Top Ten Deficiencies’.

In addition to a detailed overview of Form ADV Part 1, Schedule D, and applicable Form ADV Part 1 Instructions, instructors will help you fully understand Annual Amendment filing requirements, appreciate the meaning of certain key words and terms and avoid making common mistakes.

This session will also provide a brief summary of Form 13F, Schedule 13D and Schedule 13G reporting procedures under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the applicability of these filings to certain investment advisers.

Instructors will focus on:

• Understanding Annual Amendment filing requirements, and avoid making common mistakes.
• Provide insight and clarity into the information being sought in Form ADV Part 1 to ensure your firm is accurately reporting such information.
• Establish a team approach to develop and maintain a Form ADV Part 1 that complies with regulations and is consistent with your firm's Form ADV Part II, policies and procedures, advisory contracts, client communications and advertising.
• Understanding the basic mechanics of Form 13F, Schedule 13D and Schedule 13G reporting requirements.

Insights for Effectively Disclosing Conflicts of Interest in Form ADV Part II
June 10, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Disclosure, disclosure, disclosure. You’ve heard it many times, but do you understand how to disclose your firm’s vital information to clients in ways that will withstand regulatory scrutiny? Expert instructors will systematically walk through Form ADV Part II and help you learn what the SEC wants you to disclose and why. In addition, learn procedures to help assure that information in your firm’s Form ADV Part II is consistent with Form ADV Part 1, marketing materials, and advisory agreements.

The SEC is now in the process of digesting the public comments that have been submitted in response to the proposed amendments to Part II. The long-anticipated amendments are designed to provide clients with narrative brochures containing plain English descriptions of an investment adviser’s business, services, and conflicts of interest. The proposed changes also would require advisers to file their brochures electronically, and the brochures would be available to the public through the IAPD website. Regardless of the outcome of this protracted rule-making process, it is clear that plain English disclosure of adviser conflicts of interest is a regulatory imperative that should command the attention of compliance professionals in the current regulatory environment. We'll take you past basic disclosure to an understanding and appreciation of what regulators mean when they talk about 'full and fair' disclosure. Your firm's Form ADV is a cornerstone of your firm’s fiduciary duty to its clients.

Instructors will focus on:

• Movement away from the current “check-the-box” format and related disclosure schedules to a free-form, plain English, narrative brochure.
• Enhanced conflicts of interest disclosure. Identifying conflicts of interest and enhanced disclosure about actual and potential conflicts of interest such as the use of affiliated brokers, soft dollars, side-by-side management of accounts that pay performance fees, and receipt of compensation from issuers of financial products the adviser recommends to clients.
• Providing insight and clarity into the information being sought in Form ADV Part II to ensure your firm is accurately reporting such information.
• Establish a team approach to develop and maintain a Form ADV Part II that complies with regulations and is consistent with your firm's Form ADV Part 1, policies and procedures, advisory contracts, client communications and advertising.

Investment Adviser Regulatory Update

June 15, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: Robert Bagnall, Counsel, WilmerHale
Richard Cortese, VP NRS Education Services

Description: This session will feature a Beltway Briefing on the status of key regulatory reform initiatives on Capitol Hill. The panelists will also examine recent initiatives advanced by the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, current trends in the SEC’s examination program and late breaking news on SEC enforcement proceedings. Topics covered will include recent SEC guidance on the Custody Rule, pay-to-play, SEC review of derivative use by investment companies, SEC proposed rule to establish a large trader reporting system, and recently adopted rules pertaining to money market funds and short sales. State and federal developments regarding privacy and data security will also be addressed.

This session, featuring a panel of industry experts, offers you a virtual, real-time briefing on the path of regulatory reform and SEC initiatives, the possible implications for your firm, and the new challenges and best practices that should be on your radar screen.

Learning Objectives:

• Update on and analysis of Congressionally mandated and SEC regulatory reform initiatives.
• Examine the potential impact of regulatory reform on investment advisers, hedge funds and broker-dealers.
• BPractical advice on preparing for and grappling with today’s shifting regulatory environment and its uncertainties.
• Become familiar with the compliance issues currently stamped "high-priority" and determine which regulatory developments affect your firm.
• Develop risk management strategies that address SEC priorities.

For Whom: Designed to the professional competency of advisory professionals with legal, compliance and management responsibilities, this course qualifies for three (3) IACCPsm Continuing Education credit hours.

Pre-requisites for participation: The pre-requisite for participation is a basic understanding of definitions and concepts arising under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Investment Adviser Performance and Advertising

June 17, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Presented by: TBD

Investment adviser advertising continues to be one of the top problem areas identified by the SEC. Advertising and performance often present complex issues for all advisers, as well as many traps for the unwary, frequent exam deficiencies and, in the worst cases, potential for SEC enforcement actions. The SEC has devoted considerable attention to how and under what circumstances investment advisers may advertise their services and present performance to clients. This session is designed to help advisers avoid the common pitfalls and understand the fundamental advertising rule requirements and the many SEC no-action letters covering testimonials, partial client lists, websites, presenting gross and net performance and the numerous required, and recommended, disclosures for advertising and performance materials.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the specific SEC advertising Rule as well as performance presentation and recordkeeping requirements.
• Review and understand the important and diverse SEC no-action letters covering advertising and performance to gain guidance beyond the rule requirements.
• Discuss practical tips for an effective review/checklist for advertising & performance materials as well as policies and procedures.

For Whom:

• Chief Compliance Officers
• Internal auditors
• Compliance Staff at all levels
• Marketing personnel
• Legal counsel
• Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based and Group Live

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, especially Section 206 & Rules 206(4) – 1 (Advertisements) & 204-2 (Books & Records) to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Real World Compliance for the Small Adviser

July 20, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: TBD
Sharon Gaare, Capital Investment Counsel, Inc.
Sandra Stevenson, NRS

Description: Compliance is not a function that fluctuates with the scale of your business - small firms don't get a pass for being “less compliant” than larger firms. However, the amount of resources that firms are able to dedicate to compliance varies significantly. The SEC’s examination staff recognizes that small advisers face unique compliance issues and concerns. Small firms are not necessarily small in terms of assets under management, but instead, in terms of personnel, scope of business and access to resources. Thus, compliance professionals at small firms, who often wear other hats, need to be particularly adroit at leveraging resources, information and innovation.

This seminar will identify the challenges faced by the small adviser and, more importantly, offer practical solutions to such issues as adopting policies and procedures that fit the firm, segregation of duties and designation of supervisors. Methods for training employees and keeping up with the growth of assets, employees and new products will also be addressed.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this seminar you should be able to:

• Identify solutions to a number of unique challenges faced by small advisory firms
• Tailor compliance policies and procedures to fit your firm’s size
• Help leverage available resources to accommodate your firm’s current needs and growth
• More clearly assess the roles and responsibilities of your firm’s personnel

For Whom: Compliance, administrative and management personnel of small investment advisory firms

Instructional Method: Group-Internet-Based

Suggested Skill Level: Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: See NRS Continuing Education Guide
Recommended CPE Credit: 2
Recommended IACCP Credit: 2

Preparing for an SEC Examination: Identifying Priorities for 2010

July 22, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: TBD
Paul Glenn, Investment Adviser Association
William R. Meck, Meck Compliance Consulting

Description: In reaction to the tumultuous market events and scandals of 2009, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has intensified investment adviser examinations as evidenced by the following:

• Increasing surprise examinations
• Rigorous pre-exam due-diligence and aggressive examinations
• Questioning compliance budgets and cost cutting
• Coordinating exams of dually registered firms between both investment advisers and broker-dealers
• Hiring more experienced examiners with special expertise and providing more training
• Focusing on verification of client assets

Examiners are more skeptically probing in new areas, interviewing additional people, asking different questions, and have expanded the scope of requested documents and reports. Legal and industry experts will detail the examination process from the unexpected first notice to the final follow-up, and explain how strong internal controls that are put in place now can help your firm be prepared on short notice for these tougher examinations. Understand what the SEC is looking for and how to manage the examination once the SEC is onsite. Additional topics to be covered include the firm’s rights during the examination process, common problems the SEC encounters during examinations, and effective strategies for dealing with deficiencies found during an examination.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how the current market and regulatory environments will affect SEC examinations of investment advisers.
• Learn how to handle the new SEC examination focus on confirming client account balances in managed accounts.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the federal and state examination processes from first notice to final follow-up to avoid unnecessary interruption of the firm’s business.
• Become familiar with the SEC Document Request List to increase the firm’s preparedness, minimize retrieval time during an examination and maximize a favorable examination outcome
• Identify SEC current priorities to help the firm focus on areas likely to be examined in depth
• Understand the link between internal controls and SEC examinations
• Learn how to limit regulatory risk on both a personal and firm level
• Receive tips that help support a successful exam outcome

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Auditors, Compliance Staff at all levels, IT personnel, Legal counsel, Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No advance preparation or prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

SEC Code of Ethics: Understand the Requirements and Apply Best Practices

August 3, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: TBD

Description: Ethics is not an option; it’s a requirement. Since the adoption of the SEC Rule on Codes of Ethics, every registered investment adviser firm must adopt codes of ethics that establish standards of conduct and address conflicts that arise from personal trading issues. Many state advisers have also adopted a Code of Ethics either in response to state mandates or as an industry best practice. Instruction and guidance for this course focus on identifying the required components of standard codes of ethics and learning how to draft plans for implementing firm-wide ethics policies and procedures that both help remind adviser personnel of their obligations to clients and avoid conflicts of interest.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand and implement the requirements of SEC Rule 204A-1: Investment Adviser Codes of Ethics
• Explain processes for monitoring and controlling personal securities trading by adviser personnel to avoid potential conflicts and possible ethics violations
• Review requirements for ADV disclosure and recordkeeping
• Comprehend the processes for administering and tailoring a code of ethics for your firm

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Ethics Officers, Compliance Staff at all levels, Management, Legal counsel, Auditors

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, especially Rule 204A-1, to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

A Guide to Ethical Decision Making and Lessons Learned From SEC Enforcement Cases

August 5, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: TBD

Description: The Investment Advisers Act of 1940 is based on the central premise that investment advisers are fiduciaries to their clients. As a fiduciary, an investment adviser has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty, and good faith to act in the best interests of its clients. The fiduciary nature of an investment adviser’s obligations creates an ethical component to essentially all of the firm’s activities.

Business ethics for business organizations, including investment advisers, can be defined as written and unwritten codes of conduct and values that govern decisions and actions of individuals within an organization, as well as the organization as a whole. An organization’s ethical culture sets standards for determining the difference between good and bad decision-making and behavior. However, the distinctions between moral right and wrong are not always so clear. Such situations can lead to ethical dilemmas and compromise your firm’s mission to adequately fulfill its fiduciary duty as an investment adviser.

The expert instructors for this session will analyze both the conceptual scope and practical reach of an adviser’s fiduciary duty to its clientele and how the SEC applies this standard to your compliance program and the conduct of your firm’s employees. The session will also cover identification and resolution of conflicts of interest, best practices for inculcation of a strong ethical culture of compliance throughout your firm, the respective roles of management and compliance in driving this process, and a survey of instructive SEC enforcement cases.

Learning Objectives:

• Participate in a dialogue about ethical decision-making to enhance your and your firm’s ethical awareness
• Review examples of ethical decision-making to critique potential decisions
• Use SEC enforcement cases to identify, analyze and discuss ways to resolve universal ethical dilemmas and challenges.

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Ethics Officers, Compliance Staff at all levels, Management, Legal counsel, Auditors

Suggested Skill Level: Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, especially Rule 204A-1, to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

New Form ADV Part 2 Here and Now: Practical Guidance on Disclosing Critical Information about Your Firm

August 12, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: Marilyn Miles, Vice President, Investment Adviser Services, NRS
Robert Stirling, Senior Consultant, Investment Adviser Services, NRS

Course Description: The SEC, at its July 21, 2010 open meeting, finally approved the new Form ADV Part 2, a "plain English" narrative approach to client disclosure, which replaces the current Form ADV Part 2 "check-the-box" and Schedule F approach. Adopted rule changes will require investment advisers to file their brochures electronically and the brochures would be available to the public on the IARD. The compliance date for the new Form ADV Part 2 will be the date of the annual update for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2010 (which would be the end of March 2011 for advisers with a December 31, 2010 fiscal year end). New advisers registering with the SEC after January 1, 2011, will need to use Form ADV Part 2.

Both SEC commissioners and staff emphasized the importance of meaningful, clear and useful disclosure, as well as the need for advisers to avoid legalese and boilerplate disclosures. The new form's instructions will focus disclosure on the adviser's actual practices and conflicts, as well as on practices and conflicts reasonably likely to exist. Disclosure of the material facts concerning conflicts and how the adviser deals with them will also be specifically required.

This course will examine the new form’s 18 specific potential disclosure topics, including advisory business, fees and compensation, disciplinary events and brokerage practices. In addition, the panel will delve into the mechanics of the new "brochure supplement" requirement, which will be a résumé-like disclosure for each individual providing advice to a client. The session will also address:

• How to conduct a conflict of interest inventory within the framework of new Part 2
• Tips for avoiding deficiencies when disclosing conflicts of interest, compensation arrangements, fee structures, soft dollars arrangements, etc.
• The implications of public access to your firm’s brochure on the IARD

Learning Objectives: After attending this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the 18 specific disclosure topics of the new Form ADV Part 2
• Draft a conflict of interest inventory and put it into practice at your firm
• Prevent and detect deficiencies when disclosing conflicts of interest to clients

For whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Management, Compliance Staff at all levels, Auditors, Legal counsel

Suggested Skill Level: Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group-Internet-Based and Group-Live

Prerequisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms, and the SEC adopting release IA-3060 Amendments to Form ADV (July 28, 2010).

Continuing Education Credits

Recommended CPE Credit: 2
Recommended IACCP Credit: 2

Investment Adviser Regulatory Update

August 31, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: Richard Cortese, VP, Education Services, NRS

Description: This session will feature an overview of the both the immediate and long-term impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on investment advisers and hedge funds, including new SEC enforcement powers. The panelists will also examine the ramifications of the Act’s directive that the SEC conduct a six-month study on extending the fiduciary duty standard to brokers and the possibility of subsequent SEC rulemaking in this area. Other topics covered will include recent SEC guidance on the Custody Rule, the recently adopted SEC Pay-to-Play Rule, an overview of the new Form ADV Part 2 Rules, and the SEC proposal to modify Rule 12b-1 fees. The session will also offer a review of the Department of Labor’s interim final rule on disclosure of investment adviser compensation.

This session, featuring a panel of industry experts, will provide you with a virtual, real-time briefing on regulatory reform and other recent and pending regulatory developments, the possible implications for your firm, and the new challenges and best practices that should be on your radar screen.

Learning Objectives:

• Utilize the update on and analysis of Congressional and SEC regulatory reform initiatives.
• Define the potential impact of regulatory reform on investment advisers, hedge funds and broker-dealers.
• Apply practical advice on preparing for and grappling with today’s shifting regulatory environment and its uncertainties.
• List the compliance issues currently stamped "high-priority" and determine which regulatory developments affect your firm.
• Develop risk management strategies that address SEC priorities.

For Whom: Designed to the professional competency of advisory professionals with legal, compliance and management responsibilities, this course qualifies for two (2) IACCP℠ Continuing Education credit hours.

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group-Internet-Based

Pre-requisites for participation: The pre-requisite for participation is a basic understanding of definitions and concepts arising under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2 credits
Recommended IACCP Credit: 2 general credits

Developing a Tailored IA Compliance Testing Program: Forensic Focus

September 14, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: Mederic Daigneault, Senior Consultant/Director of Hedge Fund Services, NRS
Richard Seepersaud, Compliance Officer, TIAA-CREF

Description: In its release adopting Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the SEC stated that an investment adviser’s policies and procedures should employ “compliance tests that analyze information over time” to determine the effectiveness of its compliance policies and procedures. SEC examiners expect that advisers, to the extent applicable, will develop a test plan that combines three compliance tests: Transactional, Periodic and Forensic. The SEC staff has repeatedly sent clear signals in CCOutreach Seminars, speeches and elsewhere that they are taking the issue of forensic testing seriously. SEC Document Request Lists typically request information relating to the firm’s compliance surveillance, and/or forensic or transactional testing.

This presentation will provide an understanding of the forensic testing process. The session will also impart guidance on how to develop, implement and document an effective compliance testing plan that tracks your firm’s risk assessment and that will support your annual review.

For Whom: Compliance Officers, legal counsel, internal auditors, managers and any person who has day-to-day interaction with compliance.

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2
Recommended IACCP Credit: 2

New Form ADV Part 2: Here and Now

Sub-Title: Practical Guidance on Disclosing Critical Information about Your Firm

September 21, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Description: The SEC, at its July 21, 2010 open meeting, finally approved the new Form ADV Part 2, a "plain English" narrative approach to client disclosure, which replaces the current Form ADV Part II "check-the-box" and Schedule F approach. Adopted rule changes will require investment advisers to file their brochures electronically and the brochures would be available to the public on the IAPD. The compliance date for the new Form ADV Part 2 will be the date of the annual update for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2010 (which would be the end of March 2011 for advisers with a December 31, 2010 fiscal year end). New advisers registering with the SEC after January 1, 2011, will need to use Form ADV Part 2.

Both SEC commissioners and staff emphasized the importance of meaningful, clear and useful disclosure, as well as the need for advisers to avoid legalese and boilerplate disclosures. The new form's instructions will focus disclosure on the adviser's actual practices and conflicts, as well as on practices and conflicts reasonably likely to exist. Disclosure of the material facts concerning conflicts and how the adviser deals with them will also be specifically required.

This course will examine the new form’s 18 specific potential disclosure topics, including advisory business, fees and compensation, disciplinary events and brokerage practices. In addition, the panel will delve into the mechanics of the new "brochure supplement" requirement, which will be a résumé-like disclosure for each individual providing advice to a client. The session will also address:

• How to identify conflicts of interest within the framework of the new Part 2
• Tips for disclosing conflicts of interest, compensation arrangements, fee structures, soft dollars arrangements, etc.
• The implications of public access to your firm’s brochure on the IAPD

Learning Objectives:

After attending this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the 18 specific disclosure topics of the new Form ADV Part 2
• Better identify conflicts of interest within your firm
• Understand how to begin drafting the new Form ADV Part 2 in “plain English”

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Management, Compliance Staff at all levels, Auditors, Legal counsel

Suggested Skill Level: Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group-Internet-Based and Group-Live

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms, and the SEC adopting release IA-3060 Amendments to Form ADV (July 28, 2010).

Continuing Education Credits: See NRS Continuing Education Guide
Recommended CPE Credit: 2
Recommended IACCP Credit: 2

Mastering Critical Skills for High Performance Compliance Professionals Time Matters: Time Management for Compliance Professionals

October 4, 2010
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST

Presented by: Ann Oglanian — President and CEO, ReGroup, LLC
Kurt Wachholz — Chief Compliance Officer, Wellspring Wealth Management

Description: The stakes are high for compliance professionals. You are personally liable for administering a compliance program that protects your firm. Complex new regulations loom and the SEC wants you to continuously improve your compliance program. Juggling regulatory tasks in addition to operational challenges such as 'emergency' meetings, budgeting and managing multiple departments can leave you feeling time- constrained, overwhelmed, disheartened and disconnected. You are struggling to do what you have to do in the time you have to do it.

Keep your work day, your priorities and your sanity with practical Time Management techniques. Attend this interactive workshop to learn a time management system of processes, tools, techniques and skills you can use to more effectively manage your time – before it manages you.

Experienced instructors provide practical and specific guidance designed to help make better use of the time you have. Come learn the value of your time, understand how you're spending time, how you can better manage time through risk matching and goal setting, and the measurable benefits of better time management for you and your firm. In addition, we will review:

• Measuring opportunity cost
• Planning and setting goals
• Setting priorities with the 80/20 Rule
• Delegation vs. dumping
• Asking for – and getting – resources
• Doing the right things vs. doing things right
• Stress and procrastination
• Managing deadlines
• When to just say no
• How to hold an effective meeting
• Evaluating whether technology is really effective
• How to have some fun while you're getting things done

Learning Objectives:

• Increase productivity by refining your time management system
• Identify methods and tools that help you devote time to priorities that deliver the biggest return
• Help prevent burnout by implementing a more effective time management system

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Ethics Officers, Compliance Staff at all levels, Management, Legal counsel, Auditors

Suggested Skill Level: Intermediate

Instructional Methods: Group-Live and Group-Internet-Based

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required.

Continuing Education Credits: NRS Continuing Education Guide
Recommended CPE Credit: 2 credits
Recommended IACCP Credit: 2 general credits

Professional Ethics

October 6, 2010
9:00 PM – 11:00 AM MST

Presented by: Patrick Kuhse, Ethics Fellow, University of Florida

Description: This interactive session will give attendees an understanding of the essential elements of business ethics, ethical dilemmas in their personal and professional lives, as well as why people make the ethical decisions they do. It will provide them the tools to define, develop and control their own ethical behavior. Participants will learn about key warning signs and critical thinking errors that lead to all forms of unethical behavior and criminal activity to help prevent ethical breaches in their firm from escalating. This course offers 2 IACCP Ethics credits.

For Whom: Legal and compliance professionals within the financial community

RIA Year-End Compliance Check-up

October 26, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: TBD

Description: This timely course gives you the opportunity to review, identify and discuss investment adviser compliance action step items that should be part of the compliance officer’s year-end checklist. To help ring in a new year, the instructors will walk you through key compliance resolutions for the year ahead. An essential element of this process is developing a pro-active compliance calendar for the coming year with the purpose of prioritizing, executing and documenting your firm’s supervisory procedures and compliance program. The turning of the calendar presents an excellent opportunity to map out monthly, quarterly, annual and other periodic compliance tasks, which include:

• IARD administrative functions
• Form 13F reports
• Form U4 amendments
• Employee certifications and acknowledgements
• Solicitors
• Records management
• Compliance training
• Action plan for annual review
• Custody
• Code of ethics enforcement
• Calculation of assets under management
• Advertising reviews
• Form ADV reviews
• Updating IPS or client investment objectives and risk tolerances
• Testing of disaster recovery plan
• Vendors

These and other compliance resolutions for 2011 will be up for discussion during this practical nuts-and-bolts program.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this course you will be able to:

• Review your compliance checklist to confirm the presence of necessary compliance action steps and identify additional items that might affect your firm
• Create a pro-active compliance calendar to help achieve a strong and effective compliance program
• Identify and include the latest regulatory developments in your 2011 compliance calendar

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Management, Compliance Staff at all levels, Auditors, Legal counsel

Suggested Skill Level: Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group-Internet-Based

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2
Recommended IACCP Credit: 2

Your Guide to the Advisers Act: Exemptions, State/Federal Responsibilities and Your Duty to Supervise

November 2, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by:TBD

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Learning Objectives:

• Overview of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
• Section 201 -Findings
• Section 202 – Definitions and Related SEC Rules
• Section 203 – Registration of Investment Advisers and Related SEC Rules
• Section 203A - State and Federal Responsibilities and Related SEC Rules
• Sections 207-221
• Section 222 – State Regulation of Investment Advisers and Related SEC Rules

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Compliance Staff at all levels, Internal auditors, Legal counsel, Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Investment Adviser Books and Records Requirements

November 4, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: TBD

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Learning Objectives:

• Section 204 - Reports by Investment Advisers
• Rule 204-1 - Amendments to application for registration
• Rule 204-2 - Books and records to be maintained by investment advisers

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Compliance Staff at all levels, Internal auditors, Legal counsel, Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Each Advisers Act course provides the instruction and tools to:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure, content and terms of the Advisers Act for quick, easy reference and response
• Prioritize work flow and assign tasks for establishing effective policy, procedures and internal controls and for minimizing risk and fines
• Pinpoint the SEC areas of concern that should drive required written compliance policies and procedures
• Understand the relationship among internal controls, internal reviews and the risk-based SEC examination program
• Examine the use of checklists, timetables, SEC Document Requests Lists, exception reports and staff interviews to implement a strong compliance program
• Discuss transactional, periodic and forensic testing of policies and procedures as tools of the risk assessment process
• Identify systemic problems to initiate and implement prompt corrective action
• Understand changes in the SEC examination process

The Advisers Act Road Map for Protecting Your Firm: Code of Ethics, Insider Trading, Contracts and More

November 9, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: TBD

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Learning Objectives:

• Rule 204-3 - Written disclosure statements
• Section 204A - Prevention of Misuse of Non-public Information
• Rule 204A-1 - Investment adviser codes of ethics
• Section 205 - Investment Advisory Contracts and Related SEC Rules

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Compliance Staff at all levels, Internal auditors, Legal counsel, Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Your Guide to the Advisers Act: Prohibited Transactions, Adviser Advertising and Hedge Funds

November 16, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: TBD

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Anti-Fraud Rules Part I course highlights include:

• Section 206 Prohibited Transactions by Investment Advisers and Related SEC Rules
• Rule 206(3)-2 Agency cross transactions for advisory clients
• Rule 206(4)-1 Advertisements by investment advisers
• Rule 206(4)-8 Pooled investment vehicles

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Compliance Staff at all levels, Internal auditors, Legal counsel, Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

Your Guide to the Advisers Act: Custody of Securities, Cash Payments for Client Solicitations, Financial/Disciplinary Disclosures and Proxy Voting

May 13, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: Deborah Well- Director of E-Business, Harbor Capital Advisors
Bill Cavell- Executive Consultant, IA Services NRS

Description: Friends and profiles, professional networking, micro-blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter must now be addressed in your compliance program. Are your employees using firm premises and equipment to communicate with clients in the social networking environment? Is e-marketing being conducted? What about the confidentiality of firm and client information? This seminar will bring you up to speed on these communication portals, the risks they pose and regulators’ expectations regarding oversight and supervision

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the various social media i.e. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. and their uses by firm employees
• Understand the SEC and FINRA requirements pertaining to recordkeeping, oversight and supervision
• Be able to identify the risks posed by the use of Social Networking sites
• To be able to develop and apply effective compliance procedures to monitor and supervise use of social media sites by employees

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Legal counsel, Compliance Staff at all levels, Management, IT staff, Marketing

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

2010 Best Practices for Mastering Your Annual Review

November 30, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: TBD

Description: Understanding the intricacies and implications of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) is fundamental to the core responsibilities of any investment adviser compliance professional. A section-by-section review of the Advisers Act brings renewed focus to the root source of each requirement, many of which are likely to be encountered in compliance departments of every size firm. Everyday situations are incorporated to bring the Advisers Act to life, including practical advice about writing, implementing and maintaining policies to create strong internal controls that work within your firm’s business operations.

Anti -Fraud Rules Compliance Programs Rules and Mastering the Annual Review course highlights include:

• Rule 206(4)-7 Compliance procedures and practices

Compliance professionals must be ever mindful of the ongoing mandates embodied in Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act and Rule 38-1 under the Investment Company Act to maintain, review, test and modify written compliance policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to detect violations and weaknesses in internal controls and compliance systems. Commonly referred to as the “Compliance Programs Rules”, the rules specifically require that advisers and funds implement and maintain policies and procedures designed to detect, prevent and correct compliance problems in key areas of their operations and to conduct an at least annual review to gauge their effectiveness. This seminar will identify essential internal controls and compliance testing and documentation procedures within the structure of a "real-world" practical compliance program. Also being covered is how to conduct periodic or annual compliance reviews that identify and address compliance gaps or risks, including the level of detail appropriate for an annual review report.

For whom:

• Chief Compliance Officers
• Compliance Staff at all levels
• Internal auditors
• Legal counsel
• Management

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Each Advisers Act course provides the instruction and tools to:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure, content and terms of the Advisers Act for quick, easy reference and response
• Prioritize work flow and assign tasks for establishing effective policy, procedures and internal controls and for minimizing risk and fines
• Pinpoint the SEC areas of concern that should drive required written compliance policies and procedures
• Understand the relationship among internal controls, internal reviews and the risk-based SEC examination program
• Examine the use of checklists, timetables, SEC Document Requests Lists, exception reports and staff interviews to implement a strong compliance program
• Discuss transactional, periodic and forensic testing of policies and procedures as tools of the risk assessment process
• Identify systemic problems to initiate and implement prompt corrective action
• Understand changes in the SEC examination process

Investment Adviser Regulatory Update

December 7, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: Deborah Well- Director of E-Business, Harbor Capital Advisors
Bill Cavell- Executive Consultant, IA Services NRS

Description: Friends and profiles, professional networking, micro-blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter must now be addressed in your compliance program. Are your employees using firm premises and equipment to communicate with clients in the social networking environment? Is e-marketing being conducted? What about the confidentiality of firm and client information? This seminar will bring you up to speed on these communication portals, the risks they pose and regulators’ expectations regarding oversight and supervision

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the various social media i.e. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. and their uses by firm employees
• Understand the SEC and FINRA requirements pertaining to recordkeeping, oversight and supervision
• Be able to identify the risks posed by the use of Social Networking sites
• To be able to develop and apply effective compliance procedures to monitor and supervise use of social media sites by employees

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Legal counsel, Compliance Staff at all levels, Management, IT staff, Marketing

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2

The Architecture of a Sustainable IA Compliance Program

December 14, 2010
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Presented by: Deborah Well- Director of E-Business, Harbor Capital Advisors
Bill Cavell- Executive Consultant, IA Services NRS

Description: Friends and profiles, professional networking, micro-blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter must now be addressed in your compliance program. Are your employees using firm premises and equipment to communicate with clients in the social networking environment? Is e-marketing being conducted? What about the confidentiality of firm and client information? This seminar will bring you up to speed on these communication portals, the risks they pose and regulators’ expectations regarding oversight and supervision

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the various social media i.e. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. and their uses by firm employees
• Understand the SEC and FINRA requirements pertaining to recordkeeping, oversight and supervision
• Be able to identify the risks posed by the use of Social Networking sites
• To be able to develop and apply effective compliance procedures to monitor and supervise use of social media sites by employees

For Whom: Chief Compliance Officers, Legal counsel, Compliance Staff at all levels, Management, IT staff, Marketing

Suggested Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Instructional Method: Group - Internet Based

Pre-requisites for participation: No prerequisites are required. However, attendees can benefit by reviewing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to become familiar with the structure and terms.

Continuing Education Credits: Recommended CPE Credit: 2