Calling all IACCP® designees! Still need continuing education credits to achieve your IACCP® designation this year? Don’t fret! We’ve got some great news for you! ComplyConnect conferences are designed to meet criteria for continuing education credits for compliance professionals, CPAs/accountants, attorneys and other professionals.
In fact, the 2022 ComplyConnect Conference & Expo offers the opportunity to earn up to 18.0 continuing education credits in just three days! Interested in learning more? Let’s break it down!
A breakdown of ComplyConnect educational sessions designed to help you achieve your IACCP® designation
While every session will afford attendees the chance to hear directly from industry leaders and compliance experts, IACCP® designees looking to max out their credit earning potential will want to attend these sessions in particular.
1.They’re here – and the SEC is coming! The new IA Marketing Rules
If you are an SEC-registered investment adviser (RIA), you must restructure your entire marketing and referral programs to meet the requirements of the new marketing rule by Nov. 4 – four days before this session. Although the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has provided little guidance since the rule was adopted in 2020, they have announced that they will conduct “a number of specific national initiatives, as well as a broad review through the examination process, for compliance with the Marketing Rule.” You may be concerned that your new policies and procedures may not address all the regulatory requirements (and unintended consequences) of revised rule 206(4)-1. This session will not only look at the rule itself but will also focus on the latest SEC guidance on the rule, identify still-open questions and prepare for the promised marketing sweep exams.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze and improve your RIA firm’s marketing policies and procedures.
- Explore methods for including testimonials in advertisements.
- Review and ready your advertisements for promised SEC sweep exams.
2. Understanding the SEC’s proposed ESG rule
The SEC’s 2022 Examination Priorities included a focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) investing. The Commission expressed concern that misleading disclosures about ESG portfolios and funds was resulting in misinformed investors. To address this concern, on May 25, the SEC proposed significant new rules requiring additional ESG disclosures for investment companies, registered investment advisers and others. Under the proposed rules, firms using ESG strategies would be required to make specific disclosures using a standardized format.
This session will outline the SEC’s concerns about ESG investing and take a deep dive into the proposed rule so that you are prepared if it is adopted.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the SEC’s concerns to management persons in your firm who manage (or want to offer) an ESG investment strategy.
- Analyze the proposed rule to determine how your disclosures and procedures would need to change if it were adopted.
- Assist your research department in understanding key points that should be included in evaluating ESG investments.
3. Developing policies and procedures for cryptocurrency
Your clients, sales representatives, portfolio managers, friends and relatives are all asking when and how they can include cryptocurrency in a portfolio. As a compliance professional, you need to not only understand if and when a digital asset is a security – you need to know the circumstances under which these novel (and potentially risky) investments can be offered to clients in a manner consistent with your duties to the client. This session will provide the latest from the regulators and will help you design policies and procedures to ensure that due diligence and suitability are considered before any digital asset is considered for a client’s account.
Learning Objectives:
- Expand your understanding of regulatory initiatives for digital assets.
- Develop due diligence and suitability criteria for recommending cryptocurrency.
- Help senior management determine whether, and under what circumstances, your firm should offer these assets.
4. Recent trends in enforcement proceedings
This is the session that always draws the most buzz! Our frank and knowledgeable panelists offer their take on current cases while providing practical lessons that you can apply to your firm. The panel will also look beyond the specific cases and offer their thoughts on how these cases represent new enforcement trends or suggest changes in the SEC’s thinking. This is the source for stories to share with the compliance skeptics in your firm.
Learning Objectives:
- Profit from the mistakes (or misdeeds) of firms that have run afoul of the SEC.
- Identify ways to improve your own processes, policies, procedures and disclosures.
- Improve your ability to explain current compliance risks to colleagues and management.
5. Regulatory examinations
If you’ve been through an SEC audit, you know that the efforts of the entire firm are needed to provide the examiners the documents and information they require. Creating, training and developing a skilled and responsive team – and leveraging a cohesive culture of compliance – across all departments is a special challenge in larger firms. Successful compliance professionals are continually aware of what the SEC may be asking for, have developed firm-wide examination response teams and regularly test their examination response plans to be certain they will be ready when the SEC comes in. This session will help large firms prepare and, when needed, execute a smooth and effective response to their next SEC examinations.
Learning Objectives:
- Obtain cooperation from senior management and all departments.
- Analyze current strengths and weaknesses in your examination response program.
- Identify the key members of your examination response team.
Haven’t registered yet for the 2022 ComplyConnect Conference & Expo? There’s still time! Register today and save your seat for the conference of the year.