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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  Privacy Policies and Rules

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Whether an RIA is SEC or state-registered, the firm must have policies and procedures in effect to protect clients’ privacy. Policies and procedures should explicitly require an RIA to send out its privacy notice each year.

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  Proxy Voting

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  RIAs are not required to vote proxies on behalf of their clients. However, when an RIA does assume responsibility for voting proxies, the firm’s policies and procedures should help to ensure that votes are cast in the best interest of clients.

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  RIAs and Customer Identification

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Just as RIAs owe a duty to diligently protect their clients’ privacy and guard against theft, firms also play a vital role in customer identification. Although RIAs are not subject to an anti-money laundering rule, securities regulators expect advisors to address these issues in their policies and procedures.

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  Recent Changes in the Regulatory Landscape

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  2011 marked a major shift in the regulatory environment, as the SEC adopted rules for implementing the Dodd-Frank Act.  Many changes to Investment Advisers Act were authorized by Title IV of the Dodd-Frank Act.  

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  Registration Requirements for Investment Advisor Representatives (IARs)

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  When individuals launch an advisory firm, they must avoid marketing themselves or the firm as investment advisors before they are properly approved and registered.  Otherwise, they are subject to severe penalties.  

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  Regulatory Oversight of Investment Advisors

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Although the regulatory environment is in a state of flux, it is imperative that RIAs adhere to their compliance obligations. To ensure compliance, RIAs and IARs must fully understand what those obligations are.

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  Risk-Based Oversight of Investment Advisors

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Even if the SEC had a larger budget and more resources, it is doubtful that the Commission would have the resources to regularly examine all RIAs. Therefore, the SEC is likely to continue relying on risk-based oversight to fulfill its mission of protecting investors.

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  Scope of the Fiduciary Duty Owed by Investment Advisors

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  A fiduciary obligation goes beyond the suitability standard typically owed by registered representatives of broker-dealer firms to clients. The relationship is built on the premise that the advisor will always do the right thing for the person or entity receiving advice.

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  Suitability and Fiduciary Duty

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  Recommending suitable investments is more than just a regulatory obligation.  Many investors bring cases claiming lack of suitability, so RIAs must continuously put the onus on clients to notify the advisor of changes in their financial situation.  

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  The Custody Rule and its Ramifications

  By Les Abromovitz  |  January 1, 2012

  When an RIA takes custody of a client’s funds or securities, risk to that individual increases dramatically. Rule 206(4)-2 under the Investment Advisers Act (better known as the Custody Rule), was passed to protect clients from unscrupulous investors.