# Codex 73 — Registration Workflow Spine **Fingerprint:** `291cba39fd206b28e195046ec214b2ef53fe709ce083f20a2173139b47e210a2` ## 2.0 Scope & Principles - **Single source of truth** for filings, fee clocks, and acceptance dates (IARD/CRD, SEC/State, FINRA). - **Human-in-the-loop** before every transmission; automation drafts, humans attest. - **Immutable evidence** (WORM) across drafts, submissions, receipts, and deficiency correspondence. - **Escalation** on deficiency letters, 30-/45-day timers, or statutory-disqualification flags. --- ## 2.1 Sub-Modules ### 2.1.1 RIA Registration (State or SEC) **Inputs** - Entity profile (legal name, jurisdiction, ownership, addresses). - AUM forecast + client footprint (routes **state** vs **SEC** registration). - Supervisory roster; **IAR** roster with U4 data; disciplinary history. - Compliance documents (Code of Ethics, Policies & Procedures, Privacy, BCP, etc.). **Processes** 1. **Jurisdiction routing:** decide **state** vs **SEC** and which states require firm & IAR registration (IARD decision tree). 2. **Generate Form ADV drafts:** - **Part 1** (firm facts, ownership, control persons, business lines). - **Part 2A/2B** (plain-English brochures + IAR supplements). 3. **IARD submissions:** queue fees, create filing package, gate final submission on human attestation. 4. **U4 for each IAR:** prefill personal history, exams, fingerprints, disclosures; flag statutory disqualifiers and auto-escalate. 5. **Deficiency handling loop:** parse regulator comments, assign tasks, track 30/45-day clocks, resubmit. 6. **Post-effective tasks:** brochure delivery, books & records, signage, Form CRS, advisory agreements, fee billing rules. **Outputs** - IARD receipts (ADV filings), submitted PDFs, fee confirmations, approval/effective notices. - A dated, immutable **Registration Evidence Bundle**. --- ### 2.1.2 Broker-Dealer (BD) Registration (FINRA + SEC + States) **Inputs** - Entity + capital plan, **business lines**, clearing arrangement, **supervisory system/WSPs**, **two principals** minimum (unless sole prop), org chart, financials. - Locations needing **Form BR** (OSJ/non-OSJ branches), registered persons roster (U4s). **Processes** 1. **Membership application flow (Form NMA + Form BD)** via FINRA Gateway; collect **Rule 1014** exhibits (business plan, financials, supervision, tech, clearing, training plan) and queue for **Pre-Membership Interview (PMI)**. 2. **Personnel filings:** prepare U4, fingerprints, background checks; auto-flag statutory disqualification risks; prep **MC-400** if sponsoring an SD individual. 3. **Branches:** prepare **Form BR** for each location; mark OSJ vs non-OSJ; ensure resident principal at OSJ; enforce 30-day notice on open/relocate/close. 4. **Registration sequencing:** - SEC BD registration (**Form BD**; SEC has **45 days** to accept/deny). - FINRA membership decision after PMI (grant / grant with restrictions / deny). - State BD + agent registrations as required. 5. **Membership Agreement / Restrictions:** capture permitted activities and restriction tracking (future CMA removals). 6. **Continuing obligations:** designate Executive Representative; Rule 8210 readiness (document production + encryption); schedule net capital / fidelity bond monitoring and CE (reg + firm elements). **Outputs** - Approved **Form BD**, FINRA Membership Agreement, branch registrations, individual registrations, WSP attestation trail. --- ### 2.1.3 Individuals: U4 / U5 / Amendments - **U4 Intake:** identity, 10-year employment, 5-year residence, disciplinary history, fingerprints; verify last 3-year employment & character; manual signatures; **30-day** general amendment rule; **10-day** for SD-related updates. - **Fingerprints:** submit promptly; “inactive-prints” status if not received in **30 days**; three illegible rejections → exemption; retain 3 years post-termination. - **U5:** file within **30 days** of termination; provide copy to rep; amend upon new facts; onboarding firm must obtain prior U5 within **60 days** of U4 filing. - **CE:** Regulatory Element deadlines with inactive status trigger on misses; Firm Element plan & attestations tracked. --- ## 2.2 Workflow Graph (RIA + BD) ```mermaid flowchart TD A[Choose scope: RIA only or RIA+BD] --> B[Jurisdiction decision: State vs SEC RIA] B --> C[Generate ADV Parts 1/2 & CRS] C --> D[IARD fee calc + queue] D --> E[Prep U4 for IARs + fingerprints] E --> F[Submit; handle deficiencies; approval] A --> G{Broker-Dealer?} G -- No --> H[Skip BD track] G -- Yes --> I[Prep Form NMA + Form BD package] I --> J[FINRA PMI + 1014 review] J --> K[Decision: grant/restrict/deny] K --> L[Form BR branches; U4s for reps/principals] L --> M[State BD/Agent registrations as needed] ``` --- ## 2.3 Guardrails & Escalations - **Statutory Disqualification Screening:** auto-scan U4 data for felony/financial-dishonesty misdemeanors (10 years), injunctions, expulsions; block submission; propose **MC-400** path if sponsorship pursued. - **Deadline Bots:** - Form U5 within **30 days** of termination. - U4 amendments: **30 days** (or **10** for SD issues). - SEC Form BD decision SLA **45 days**; branch updates **30 days**; archive all proofs. - **Two-principal rule:** prevent BD submission until two qualified principals confirmed (unless sole prop exception). - **Books/Records & Rule 8210:** auto-index evidence; encrypt portable media; store decryption keys separately. --- ## 2.4 Data Contracts (Schemas) **Firm Registration Object** ```json { "firm": { "type": "RIA|BD|Dual", "jurisdictions": ["MN", "SEC"], "iard_crd_ids": {"IARD": "xxxx", "CRD": "yyyy"}, "status": "Draft|Submitted|Effective|Restricted", "filings": [ {"form": "ADV Part 1", "date": "2025-06-01", "hash": "…", "evidence": "…"}, {"form": "ADV Part 2A", "date": "…"}, {"form": "Form BD", "date": "…"}, {"form": "NMA", "date": "…"}, {"form": "BR", "date": "…"} ], "deadlines": [ {"item": "U5 due", "who": "Rep X", "due": "2025-07-10", "rule": "30-day"}, {"item": "FINRA PMI", "due": "…"} ], "restrictions": ["No options until ROP added"] } } ``` **Person Registration Object (U4)** ```json { "person": { "name": "First Last", "role": "IAR|RR|Principal", "u4_status": "Draft|Submitted|Approved", "fingerprint": {"status": "Received|Inactive-prints", "date": "…"}, "disclosures": [{"type": "Criminal", "age": "…", "details": "…"}], "sd_screen": {"result": "Clear|Flagged", "basis": "…"} } } ``` --- ## 2.5 API/Automation Pseudocode ```python def decide_ria_scope(aum_forecast, client_states): return "SEC" if aum_forecast >= threshold or multi_state_logic(client_states) else "STATE" def build_adv_package(entity, ownership, business_lines): p1 = adv_part1(entity, ownership, business_lines) p2a, p2b = adv_brochures(entity) return [p1, p2a, p2b] def file_u4(person): check_required_fields(person) fp = submit_fingerprints(person) if fp.status == "inactive-prints": alert("Fingerprints missing, 30-day clock") submit_u4_to_crd(person) schedule_background_check(person) def prepare_bd_membership(firm): require_two_principals(firm) # unless sole prop nma = compile_nma_exhibits(firm) bd = form_bd(firm) queue_pmi(nma, bd) def handle_deficiency(letter): parse_issues(letter) assign_tasks() start_clock(days=30) # adjust per item resubmit() ``` --- ## 2.6 Post-Approval Automations - **RIA:** brochure delivery logs, books & records, advisory agreements, fee billing controls, privacy notice, Code of Ethics attestations, comms archiving, trade surveillance hooks. - **BD:** Membership Agreement permissions, WSP dissemination, OSJ supervision cadence, net capital monitoring, Form BR updates, CE calendar, U4/U5 lifecycle automations. --- ## 2.7 Source Mapping - **Form BD, membership/NMA, PMI, Rule 1014 exhibits; two principals; BR filings; 30-/45-day clocks; U4/U5/fingerprint rules; SD & MC-400; Executive Rep; Rule 8210; CE** — grounded in Series 24 material. - **SEC/Exchange registration timelines, Form BD 45-day window, exchange 90-day window, CRD/IARD ecosystem** — supported by Series 66 reference set. --- ## 2.8 Human Touchpoints - Narrative sections of ADV 2A/2B stay human-authored. - WSP & compliance policies require bespoke counsel review. - Responses to deficiency letters drafted with human context, automation assembles packages. - Any statutory-disqualification sponsorship must run through counsel before MC-400 submission. **Tagline:** Registration runs on rails, but signatures stay human.