Fostering an Environment of Compliance
Written by: Marty Shields
Bouchey Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and consequently we are regulated by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). Approximately every 10 – 15 years the SEC audits the records and processes of the firms that it regulates. Our last audit was conducted in 2001 and this summer we got the call that we were going to be audited. This process with the SEC lasted three months, as they reviewed the majority of our operations and records to make sure appropriate requirements were being met. Our firm came through the audit very strong, with only minor recommendations from the SEC on ways we could improve our processes, records, and manuals.
Our firm has always promoted an environment of compliance and we have taken the approach that we can always find ways to improve our business and better protect our clients. Recently, we implemented a cybersecurity program that reviewed all of our systems and software. The purpose of this was to identify any potential threats and we are currently implementing measures to protect against these threats.
Before engaging the services of any investment advisory firm, it is imperative to review their regulatory documents to make sure they do not have any past violations and to understand how they operate their business. For RIAs like our firm, most of this information can be found in a firm’s ADV which is filed with the SEC and for a broker, this information can be found at FINRA.org.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
Please remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Bouchey Financial Group, Ltd. [“Bouchey Financial”]), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this blog will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, no portion of this discussion or information contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Bouchey Financial. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. Neither Bouchey Financial’s investment adviser registration status, nor any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed that a certain level of results or satisfaction will be achieved if Bouchey Financial is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Bouchey Financial is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the blog content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the Bouchey Financial’s current written disclosure Brochure and Form CRS discussing our advisory services and fees is available for review upon request or at www.bouchey.com. Please Note: Bouchey Financial does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Bouchey Financial’s web site or blog or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Please Remember: If you are a Bouchey Financial client, please contact Bouchey Financial, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. Unless, and until, you notify us, in writing, to the contrary, we shall continue to provide services as we do currently. Please Also Remember to advise us if you have not been receiving account statements (at least quarterly) from the account custodian.