If your firm is registered as an investment adviser (IA) then you have probably received notice to renew your firm’s registration for 2011.  If you have not received the notice or have not paid the renewal fees, the following provides an overview of the process.

Background

IA firms and IA representatives (RA) should be aware that registrations expire annually on December 31.  In order for an IA firm to maintain their active registrations and/or notice filing statuses and for RAs to maintain active registration statuses, the IA firms must pay applicable renewal fees annually.  The IARD Renewal Program facilitates the annual renewal process.  Generally, a Preliminary Renewal Statement will be made available via the IARD system during the latter half of November.  The Preliminary Renewal Statement will include an amount that must be paid to FINRA by December 13, 2010.  Online payments made via E-Pay should be made by December 9, 2010 in order for the funds to be posted by December 13, 2010.

Submitting Payment

The Preliminary Renewal Statement will be available online generally during the latter half of November.  This year, it was made available on November 15, 2010.  IA firms can access this statement via IARD by following these steps:

1. Log onto IARD at (https://accountmgmt.finra.org/auth/ews_logon.jsp?CTAuthMode=BASIC&login_form_location_basic).
2. Enter your firm’s ID and password.
3. Review and accept the terms and conditions.
4. Under the “Accounting” tab at the top of the page, select “Renewal Account.”
5. One the left column, select “Renewal Statement.”
6. The bottom of the page provides an itemized list of all applicable fees.

Payment by Check

If you choose to submit payment by check, print the statement and mail it, along with the check to the following address:

U.S. Mail:

FINRA
P.O. Box 7777-8705
Philadelphia, PA 19175-8705

(Note: this P.O. Box address will not accept courier or overnight deliveries.)

Express Delivery:

FINRA
8705
Mellon Bank Room 3490
701 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-1532

(240) 386-4848

The check should be made payable to: FINRA.  Be sure to write your CRD Number and the word “Renewal” on the face of the check.

Payment via CRD/IARD E-Pay

Payment can also be submitted online via CRD/IARD E-Pay.  To do so, follow these instructions:

1. Go to the E-Pay website.
2. Enter your login and password.
3. On the left column under “Payments,” click “Pay my accounts.”
4. Select the account and click “Continue.”
5. Enter the total Payment Amount and check “Renewal” under Account Type.  female viagra alternative Then enter the payment method and click “continue.”
6. Review the information and click “Make Payment.”
7. Log out and the money should post within about 2 days.

Automatic Daily Account-to-Renewal Account Transfer

If your firms has sufficient funds in the Daily Account to cover the total renewal amount, FINRA will automatically process the renewal payment by the payment deadline.

Other Payment Methods

Wire payments sent by 2 p.m. (ET), should post the next business day.  Wire payments sent after 2  p.m., ET, may take up to 2 business days to post.  Instructions for initiating a wire can be found here.

Confirming Payment

After payment is submitted, you will be able to retrieve your firm’s online Final Renewal Statement on IARD on or after January 3, 2011.  These statements will reflect the final registration status of the IA firm and RAs.  To do so, follow the instructions above to log onto IARD.  Under the “Renewal Statement” link in the “Accounting” section, you can retrieve the Final Renewal Statement, which will state “Paid in Full” or “Amount Due.”  If an amount is due, the balance must be paid by February 4, 2011.

More information about the Renewal Program can be found on the IARD website.  FINRA has also posted a bulletin on the 2011 IARD Renewal Program, available here.

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Bart Mallon, Esq. is a hedge fund attorney and provides investment adviser registration and renewal services through Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP.  He can be reached directly at 415-868-5345.