Les Abromovitz

About the Author

Les Abromovitz

Les Abromovitz is the author of The Investment Advisor’s Compliance Guide, published for 2012 by The National Underwriter Company/Summit Business Media. Les Abromovitz is an attorney and member of the Pennsylvania bar. Les has handled hundreds of consulting and publishing project for a leading compliance and regulatory services firm. He has conducted a number of seminars and training sessions dealing with compliance subjects. Les is also the author of several White Papers that analyze compliance issues impacting Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs).

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  Dealings With Qualified Clients and Accredited Investors

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Depending upon an RIAs business model and investment strategies, it may be important to identify “qualified clients” and “accredited investors.”  The Dodd-Frank Act authorized the SEC to change which clients are defined by those terms.

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  Differences Between State and SEC Regulation of Investment Advisors

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  States may impose licensing or registration requirements on IARs doing business in their jurisdiction, even if the IAR works for an SEC-registered firm.  States may investigate and prosecute fraud by any IAR in their jurisdiction, even if the individual works for an SEC-registered firm.

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  Disaster Recovery Plans and Succession Planning

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  RIAs owe a fiduciary duty to clients to prepare for disasters and other contingencies. If an RIA does not have a disaster recovery plan, clients’ financial well-being may be jeopardized.  RIAs should also engage in succession planning, ensuring a smooth transaction if an owner or principal leaves.   

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  Do’s and Don’ts of Advisory Contracts

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  In preparation for a compliance exam, securities regulators typically will ask to see copies of an RIAs advisory agreements. An RIA must be able to produce requested contracts and the contracts must comply with applicable SEC or state rules.

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  Glossary

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  A compilation of nearly one hundred terms, phrases, and important laws critical to the understanding of investment advisor regulation and compliance.

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  How to Avoid Sabotaging Your Compliance Exam

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  There is much more to compliance examination survival than knowing all of the rules. It helps to understand why the rules were put in place—and to recognize that examiners are not the enemy.

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  Meeting and Exceeding Clients and Regulators’ Expectations

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Although it can be difficult, there are ways for RIAs to meet or exceed client expectations, increase customer satisfaction, and help firms retain current clients and attract new ones.

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  Nothing but the Best Execution

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Along with the many other fiduciary obligations owed by RIAs, firms owe a duty to seek best execution of clients’ transactions.  If they fail to do, RIAs violate Section 206 of the Investment Advisers Act.

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  Pay-to-Play Rule

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Violating the pay-to-play rule can result in serious consequences, and RIAs should adopt robust policies and procedures to prevent and detect contributions made to influence the selection of the firm by a government entity.

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  Preventing and Dealing with Client Complaints

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Although the SEC has not provided specific guidance on how client complaints should be handled, a firm’s policies and procedures should provide clear direction how to do so, as neglecting complaints can exacerbate a bad situation.