MarketCounsel's RIA Incubator program is a comprehensive suite of services specifically designed to provide prospective registered investment advisers with the consulting they need, fulfill their registration obligations, and install an initial compliance program.  Beyond a basic registration service, firms enrolled in the RIA Incubator program receive a custom, yet process-driven solution, to their initial regulatory and compliance challenges by a focused and highly-skilled team of compliance professionals and backed by a team of dedicated and experienced administrators.

MarketCounsel commits to a true fixed fee for its services up-front, thus allowing its enrollees to accurately budget for the cost of this project and remove financial uncertainty.  Clarity and honesty in our pricing combine with the other features of the RIA Incubator program and our hallmark of extraordinary service to distinguish MarketCounsel as an unparalleled value for investment adviser startup projects.

ENLARGE TIMELINE

The RIA Incubator program is tailored for each client. But often includes:

• Extensive business and regulatory consultations with our professional staff.
• Complete Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD) and Central Registration Depository (CRD) entitlement and administration.  In fact, our clients never have need to access these filing systems themselves.
• Research state securities registration requirements using our in-house reference library and proprietary database.  We do not rely upon a general understanding of complex securities regulations.  We understand that it is sometimes just as important to determine where not to register as where to register.
• Preparation of Form ADV (including all applicable schedules, both electronic and paper) to accurately correspond with and represent the client’s intentions as discussed in prior consultations and their business plan.
• Prepare wrap brochure if the client desires to be the sponsor or portfolio manager of a wrap program.
• Prepare registration forms for each proposed investment adviser representative after confirming each proposed representative's obligation to register.
• Perform all electronic regulatory filings for the firm (Form ADV Part 1) and its representatives (Forms U4) with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and/or the appropriate state securities regulators.
• Perform all paper regulatory filings for the firm (including Form ADV Part II) and its representatives with the U.S. Department of Labor and/or the appropriate state securities regulators.
• Monitor filings through regular and constant communication with the appropriate examiners.  We do not wait for the regulators to respond.  Our team checks registration status every morning and remains in constant communication with the examiners until the registration is approved.
• Respond to any and all deficiencies in filings until cured (if necessary).
• Review proposed stationery (business cards / letterhead) and advertising (websites, brochures, etc.) to ensure compliance with relevant securities regulations including any appropriate disclosures.  We are knowledgeable about federal, state and self-regulatory organization (if applicable) advertising rules and help our clients get their message across in a compliant fashion.
• Develop a set of custom-drafted policies and procedures that fits our client’s proposed business operations along with corresponding forms for their efficient implementation.  Policies and procedures are not a “one size fits all” solution.  Rather than doing what's easiest for us, we get our clients the policies and procedures that fit their business needs so that they do not incur deficiencies for not living up to a compliance manual that is otherwise not required by their firm.  We do not raise the bar on our client's compliance efforts in an effort to ease our burden.
• Furnish a Business Continuity Planning Workbook to document preparedness in the event of a disaster or loss of key personnel.  While this plan has become a regulatory requirement for most jurisdictions, we have created critically acclaimed workbook that goes beyond compliance to help our clients plan for the worst.
• Provide tools for the installation of the firm's initial compliance program including comprehensive, action-oriented information on books & recordkeeping responsibilities and a comprehensive set of practice management tools including forms, letters, etc.
• Use of MarketCounsel's Subscription Service to obtain an instant boost to your library of relevant industry publications.
• Electronic versions of all of the foregoing documents in a non-proprietary format, without even asking for them.
• Discount offer for membership into MarketCounsel's RIA Institute for Compliance Management which allows us to effectively provide proactive and reactive ongoing regulatory and compliance services as your outsourced compliance department.

RIA Incubator participants may supplement the core program with an array of options available exclusively to them.  Each proposal for engagement is determined only after a professional consult and may vary.  Certain terms of engagement and restrictions apply.