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There are two FINRA registrations that allow an individual to act as a Financial and Operations Principal (FINOP), the Series 27 and Series 28. The Series 27 registration qualifies an individual as a “Limited Principal-Financial and Operations”. The Series 28 registration qualifies an individual as a “Limited Principal-Introducing Broker/Dealer Financial and Operations”.

Any firm operating pursuant to the $100,000 minimum net capital requirement or higher must have a Series 27 FINOP. Any firm operating pursuant to the $50,000 minimum net capital requirement or lower may have a Series 28 FINOP. A Series 27 FINOP satisfies the requirements for any firm.

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Each firm’s independent annual audit is due within 60 days of the end of its fiscal year.

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The immediate task at hand is to find a replacement for your FINOP. This task can be accomplished in a few different ways. The easiest, most cost effective way to solve the problem of replacing your FINOP is to call B/D Solutions Consulting.

B/D Solutions Consulting has a staff of experienced Financial and Operations Principals able to act as your firm’s FINOP on an interim or on a permanent basis. The Financial and Operations Principals at B/D Solutions specialize in the finance and accounting issues encountered specifically by brokerage firms. They have the knowledge and expertise to help guide your firm through today’s complex regulatory environment.

B/D Solutions has staff members with many years of experience on both the retail and regulatory sides of the industry. This allows them to better understand the balance between the retail demands a brokerage firm faces and the regulatory requirements imposed by the various SRO’s and government agencies.

Another alternative to consider when choosing how to replace your FINOP is to appoint someone who is already registered with your firm as the new FINOP. NASD rules permit a firm to change the responsibilities of a registered representative to those that require registration as a principal. Within 90 calendar days following the change in duties that requires registration as a principal, the registered representative must pass the appropriate principal qualification exam.

A final option to consider if the need arises to replace your FINOP is hiring someone outside the firm as a full time, on-site FINOP. Please visit the Careers page of this website to view resumes of qualified FINOPs who are currently available for hire. Also, consider posting the FINOP position you are trying to fill on the Careers page.

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No. Any broker/dealer may hire an off-site FINOP. Outsourcing FINOP work not only satisfies regulatory requirements, but often makes more sense for many broker/dealers. The FINOP, however, even if located off-site, is ultimately responsible for the broker/dealer’s books and records. The issue is not whether the FINOP is off-site, but whether adequate controls are in place to ensure accurate books and records and timely financial reporting.

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Only the amount that is required to be on deposit with the clearing firm is an allowable asset. Any amount in a clearing deposit account in excess of the required amount is treated as non-allowable.

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The thirty day period begins at the end of the calendar month in which the commission is earned.

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If your firm conducts more than ten transactions in a calendar year in a proprietary account, it is required to maintain a minimum of $100,000 in net capital.

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In general, a firm must operate pursuant to the provisions of the $100,000 minimum net capital category in order to participate in any manner in a firm commitment underwriting. However, a $50,000 broker/dealer may participate in a firm commitment underwriting as long as it does not enter into a commitment to purchase shares related to that underwriting.

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The aggregate indebtedness for a broker/dealer may not exceed 1500 percent of its net capital. However, the threshold for aggregate indebtedness for a broker/dealer within its first twelve months of business is even lower, 800 percent of its net capital. If these limits are exceeded, a new minimum net capital requirement is established based on the level of aggregate indebtedness the firm carries.

Answer:

SEC Rule 17a-11 states that any broker/dealer shall send notice within 24 hours to the SEC and its Designated Examining Authority (DEA) if its net capital falls below 120% of the broker/dealer’s required minimum. Notice must be sent to the principal office of the SEC in Washington D.C., the regional or district office of the SEC for the region or district in which the broker/dealer has its principal place of business, the principal office of the broker/dealer’s DEA (Washington D.C. if the DEA is FINRA) and the district office of the broker/dealer’s DEA. Notice must be given or transmitted by telegraphic notice or facsimile transmission.

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A Fifth FOCUS Report is an additional report that is due from a member whose fiscal year end is a date other than the calendar quarter.

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All firms are required to file a FOCUS Report Part II or IIA on a quarterly basis. Clearing firms and firms that carry customer accounts file Part II and introducing firms file Part IIA. The FOCUS Report Part I is filed by any firm that operates pursuant to the $100,000 minimum net capital requirement or higher for months that do not require a Part II/IIA filing.

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Schedule I is required to be filed for each member with the FOCUS Report that is filed for the calendar quarter ending December 31 of each year. Schedule I contains various information about a member firm regarding its status and the type of business in which it engages.

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Consulting fees are based on the experience and expertise of the consultant, as well as the scope of the project. Our fees are generally lower than the hourly rate charged by a law firm or Certified Public Accountant, and you get the benefit of a long-term solution to your specific needs.

Please contact us for specific information on consulting fees.

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• Airfare – Best available fares. Reasonable effort to fly major airlines and take advantage of advance ticketing
• Accommodations – Median price and quality in proximity to work location
• Car Rental – Midsize or intermediate, only when required
• Meals – One dinner per day. Breakfast and lunch not billed to the client
• Miscellaneous – Supplies and materials billed at cost
• Other expenses – As agreed upon