We Mitigate Risk So You Can Focus on Your Business
DFP Partners offers wide-ranging compliance solutions for investment advisers.
Our seasoned professionals can facilitate your registration with any state or the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), act as or assist your Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), and support your firm’s ongoing compliance with the rules and regulations of the industry.
Our teams can lead or support the development of a customized compliance program, the adoption of written policies and procedures, the designation of a knowledgeable CCO, and the execution of the annual review.
We assist with SEC registration requirements, including creating and filing documents such as all parts of Form ADV, developing compliance manuals, reviewing marketing materials, and more.
Our compliance services also include assisting to Exempt Reporting Advisers (ERAs) with the federal registration process. While ERAs are not subject to the same registration requirements and record-keeping rules as Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs), they are responsible for anti-fraud rules and pay-to-play provisions — our help with compliance policies and procedures can avoid securities violations and protect investor information.
If you are a firm in need of a CCO, DFP Partners has the solution. Head to our Outsourced CCO services page for more information >>
DFP Partners has been in
business for over 60 years
Have been with us
for 10 years
Average industry tenure
at partner level
Registered Investment Adviser (“RIA”) compliance refers to the regulatory framework that RIAs must follow to operate lawfully and ethically. Obligations for RIAs vary slightly depending on whether the firm is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or with one or more state securities regulators. RIA compliance encompasses a wide variety of obligations from recordkeeping and disclosure requirements, to fiduciary duty standards and supervision of personnel. Compliance isn’t just about checking regulatory boxes—it’s about earning client trust, operating transparently, and protecting the integrity of your business.
Staying compliant as a Registered Investment Adviser is a year-round commitment that goes well beyond initial registration. Our team provides continuous, hands-on support to help your firm meet its regulatory obligations at every level — from filing your annual ADV amendments, to maintaining your compliance manual, reviewing marketing materials, and administering your annual compliance review. Whether we are supporting your in-house Chief Compliance Officer or serving in that capacity ourselves, we provide practical guidance, regulatory exam preparation, and day-to-day advice to help ensure your firm remains aligned with evolving SEC and state requirements while staying focused on its core business.
Investment advisory firms face a range of compliance risks that, if left unaddressed, can lead to regulatory action, reputational harm, or financial penalties. Some of the most frequently cited issues include inadequate policies and procedures, failure to update material changes to Form ADVs in a timely manner, improper fee billing practices, weak cybersecurity protocols, and insufficient oversight of solicitor or third-party relationships. Our team helps firms identify these SEC risks early and implement practical, tailored solutions to mitigate exposure. By staying ahead of regulatory expectations and industry trends, we enable our clients to maintain strong compliance frameworks designed to help protect their business and their clients.
Whether an RIA must register with the SEC or their state securities regulator depends largely on theon the type of advisory business the firm engages in and/or the amount of assets under management (“AUM”) the firm is responsible for. , business activities, and client base. Generally, firms with $100 million or more in AUM register with the SEC, while smaller firms register at the state level, though exceptions apply. Understanding which regulatory body has jurisdiction over your firm is critical, as each comes with its own set of filing requirements, examination processes, and compliance obligations.
Our Annual Review and Mock Exam Support services are designed to help Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) meet their obligations under SEC Rule 206(4)-7 while strengthening the overall effectiveness of their compliance programs. We conduct comprehensive, risk-based annual reviews tailored to your firm’s unique business model, evaluating policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure they remain current, effective, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Our process seeks to identify potential gaps, enhance existing frameworks, and provides clear documentation to support regulatory requirements.
In addition, our mock examinations simulate real regulatory audits, offering practical insight into how regulators assess compliance programs. By proactively identifying areas of vulnerability and addressing issues before an actual examination, we help firms mitigate risk, improve internal controls, and approach regulatory reviews with confidence and preparedness. Find out more about our annual review service.
Registered Investment Advisers (“RIA”s) are required to establish and maintain a comprehensive compliance program designed to prevent violations of securities laws. This includes adopting written policies and procedures, appointing a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), maintaining accurate books and records, delivering required firm disclosures such as Form ADV Part 2A, conducting a formal annual review of the firm’s compliance program, and implementing ongoing monitoring and testing of the firm’s activities. RIAs must also address key areas such as its fiduciary duty to clients, mitigating conflicts of interest and their potential disclosure, marketing practices, and cybersecurity to remain compliant with regulators.
Registered Investment Advisers (“RIA”s) are required to establish and maintain a comprehensive compliance program designed to prevent violations of securities laws. This includes adopting written policies and procedures, appointing a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), maintaining accurate books and records, delivering required firm disclosures such as Form ADV Part 2A, conducting a formal annual review of the firm’s compliance program, and implementing ongoing monitoring and testing of the firm’s activities. RIAs must also address key areas such as its fiduciary duty to clients, mitigating conflicts of interest and their potential disclosure, marketing practices, and cybersecurity to remain compliant with regulators.
Registered Investment Advisers (“RIA”s) are required to establish and maintain a comprehensive compliance program designed to prevent violations of securities laws. This includes adopting written policies and procedures, appointing a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), maintaining accurate books and records, delivering required firm disclosures such as Form ADV Part 2A, conducting a formal annual review of the firm’s compliance program, and implementing ongoing monitoring and testing of the firm’s activities. RIAs must also address key areas such as its fiduciary duty to clients, mitigating conflicts of interest and their potential disclosure, marketing practices, and cybersecurity to remain compliant with regulators.
Registered Investment Advisers (“RIA”s) are required to establish and maintain a comprehensive compliance program designed to prevent violations of securities laws. This includes adopting written policies and procedures, appointing a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), maintaining accurate books and records, delivering required firm disclosures such as Form ADV Part 2A, conducting a formal annual review of the firm’s compliance program, and implementing ongoing monitoring and testing of the firm’s activities. RIAs must also address key areas such as its fiduciary duty to clients, mitigating conflicts of interest and their potential disclosure, marketing practices, and cybersecurity to remain compliant with regulators.
