WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 (DAY ONE)
Special Volunteer Opportunity:
Help Ascendant Continue to Revive "The Big Easy" Working with "Rebuilding Together New Orleans"
2:30 - 5:30
BROKER-DEALER COMPLIANCE AND REGULATORY SYMPOSIUM
Business and regulatory challenges facing dual registrants and brokers with advisor affiliates - the landscape continues to shift
- Is regulatory convergence on the near horizon for brokers and advisers?
- CCO "overload?" Practical tips for leveraging compliance programs to meet the needs of dual-registrants and broker-dealers
- What "hot topics" are regulators focusing on? Regulatory and operational tips for addressing these issues
Hot Topics: Sale of Hedge Funds / Senior Issues / Best Execution / Privicy / Product Due Diligence / AML / "3040" Supervision / Advertising
5:30 - 7:30
WELCOMING RECEPTION & REGISTRATION
6:45 – 7:50
SPECIAL DISCUSSION GROUP:
“LIFE AS A CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER” Building a Better Compliance Department
This special discussion will jump start the conference by examining the working atmosphere for CCOs. How do you develop a “tone at the top”? How do you organize your compliance department within the firm? Take part in this opportunity to share your experiences and thoughts on building your firm’s compliance culture with your peers in a relaxed, informal atmosphere at the beginning of the conference.
Attendance will be limited to the first 50 attendees to sign up.
THURSDAY, MARCH 19 (DAY TWO)
7:00 - 8:00
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:00- 8:10
OPENING REMARKS
- Welcome Attendees
- Ascendant’s Compliance Conference Vision
- Integrating Operations and Compliance
- Conference Overview
8:10 – 8:55
OPENING PRESENTATION: THE FOUNDATION OF AN INVESTMENT MANAGER
Mark Tibergien, Pershing Advisory Solutions
Mr. Tibergien is a renowned speaker regarding strategies for building successful investment management firms. Frequently speaking to CEOs, his messages include the importance of strong, efficient operations, how to position your business in the market, and effective methods to build client relationships. Mr. Tibergien is a frequently profiled contributor to Investment Advisor Magazine, and will share his business ideas usually reserved for CEOs. A unique opportunity for CCOs to gather insight into business management.
9:00 – 10:15
PANEL DISCUSSION: CONDUCTING A FOCUSED ANNUAL REVIEW
- Rule 206(4)-7 Requirements and Meaningful Approaches
- SEC Expectations
- Ongoing Testing Programs
- Framing the Annual Review for the Business World: Handling Requests from Investors, Investment Companies and Regulators
10:15 – 10:45
REFRESHMENTS
10:45 -10:55
VENDOR INTRODUCTIONS
10:55 – 11:40
CURRENT FOCUS AREA
Key Financial Crisis Issues for Investment Managers:
How Valuation, Leverage and Short Selling Played Roles—Was Your Prime Broker/Custodian Safe? Lessons to Remember!
11:45 – 1:00
PANEL DISCUSSION: ANALYSIS OF RISK MANAGEMENT
Analyzing key drivers of compliance, operational and business risk.
- Conflicts of Interest
- Evaluating the Stability of Brokers and Custodians During and After the Financial Crisis
- The CCO's Role in Managing Portfolio Risk: Does It Exist?
- Resolving Failures: Trade Errors, Portfolio Management Guidelines, Other Client Issues
1:00 - 2:00
LUNCHEON
2:00 - 2:10
VENDOR INTRODUCTIONS
2:10 - 3:00
PROBLEM SOLVING: CONDUCTING AN INTERNAL COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATION
- How and When to Conduct an Investigation
- Determining Who Should Supervise an Investigation and How to Report Findings
- Notifying Employees of an Investigation
- Maintaining Information Through Attorney-Client Privilege
3:00 - 3:30
REFRESHMENTS
AFTERNOON COMPLIANCE WORKSHOPS
Ascendant Conferences + Education has designed six separate workshops for Thursday and Friday afternoons. These workshops offer small interactive group settings to discuss real hands-on scenarios. Choose among the variety of offerings each day. Mix and match to best address your needs. If attending the conference with another member of your firm then coordinate schedules to cover each of the offerings.
3:30 – 5:30
FORM ADV WORKSHOP
An In-Depth Look at Disclosure, Conflicts of Interest and Plain English
- Plain English Requirements
- Knowing Your Compliance Deadline
- Identifying Conflicts of Interest: A Key Disclosure Obligation
- Describing Investment Services and Processes
- Involving Marketing, Trading and Portfolio Managers
- Delivering Your Disclosure Brochure: New Requirements
3:30 - 4:30
MARKETING WORKSHOP
- Composite Construction
- Portfolio Accounting System Implementation
- Best Practice Disclosure Requirements
- Common Deficiencies
SUB-ADVISOR OVERSIGHT WORKSHOP
- Recent SEC Guidance on Best Execution and Soft Dollar Oversight
- Valuation Oversight
- Due Diligence Questionnaires
- Key Issues and Insights
4:30- 5:30
CODE OF ETHICS WORKSHOP
Ethics from the Compliance Perspective
- Monitoring Quarterly and Annual Reports
- Establishing Fiduciary Standards
- Introducing Supplemental Training
- Implementing New CFP Board Standards
TRADING WORKSHOP
Compliance Testing Section / Examining the Trade Blotter
- CCO Evaluation of Trade Aggregation and Allocation
- Detection of Market Misconduct
- Working with Spreadsheets and Data
- Implementing New CFP Board Standards
5:30 - 5:50
MEET THE EXHIBITORS
6:30
SPECIAL EVENING EVENT
FRIDAY, MARCH 20 (DAY THREE)
7:00 - 8:00
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:00 - 8:10
HOUSEKEEPING AND VENDOR INTRODUCTIONS
8:10 – 8:40
SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
THE FUTURE OF THE SEC—HOW WILL YOUR REGULATOR FUNCTION?
8:45 – 9:40
PANEL DISCUSSION: THE SEC EXAMINATION PROCESS
- The New SEC Document Request Letter
- Update on SEC Examination Processess
- Examination Management Techniques
- Knowing When to Be Concerned
9:40 - 10:05
REFRESHMENTS
10:05 – 10:15
Vendor Introductions
10:15 -12:00
THE CUTTING EDGE: A THREE-PART TRADING SERIES
Buy-side investment managers, including advisers conducting sub-adviser due diligence, will see the full three-dimensional of trading in this unique format designed to guide you from the trading operation through conflict identification to compliance testing.
10:15 – 10:55
TRADING SERIES: BUSINESS SECTION
UNDERSTANDING THE BUY-SIDE TRADER -- Compliance and Best Ex in a World of Electronic Trading
The world of the buy-side trader has significantly changed over the past five years. Trading has become mostly electronic, liquidity in the US is fragmented across seven exchanges, five ECNs and a plethora of crossing networks and dark pools, with execution times measured in milliseconds if not less -- and that does not even include global markets. The buy-side trader, instead of using paper tickets, is now hunkered behind banks of market data screens, order management systems, execution management systems, and significant pre- and post-trade analytics. Life is so much more complex, not only for the trader but the compliance professional that needs to ensure that the trading process proceeds properly. This special presentation by The Tabb Group will cover the real issues faced by buy-side traders, from research and liquidity to financial commitments to dark pools and algorithm trading. The more compliance professionals know about trading processes from an industry expert the better they will be able to work with the trading department.
11:00 - 12:00
TRADING SERIES: COMPLIANCE THEORY SECTION
Identifying Trading Conflicts of Interest
- Managing Trading Compliance
- Equity and Fixed Income Considerations
- Best Execution and Reg. NMS
- Identifying Conflicts of Interest
- Soft dollars: Evolution of Practices and Commission Sharing Arrangement
12:00 - 1:00
LUNCHEON
1:00 - 2:00
PANEL DISCUSSION – WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYEES AND VENDORS
- Outside Business Activities
- Background Checks
- Customer Complaints
- Handling Forms U-4 and U-5; Other Reporting Requirements
- Receipt of Gifts and Entertainment
2:10 – 3:10
PANEL DISCUSSION:
THE NEW REGULATION S-P -- Safeguarding Provisions Enhanced
- SEC Rule-Making Will Change Privacy Program Requirements
- Elements of the New Rule
- Issues with Departing Employees
- Key Issues to Address
2:10- 3:10
CODE OF ETHICS WORKSHOP
Ethics from the Compliance Perspective
- Monitoring Quarterly and Annual Reports
- Establishing Fiduciary Standards
- Introducing Supplemental Training
- Implementing New CFP Board Standards
3:10 – 3:30
REFRESHMENTS
3:30 – 5:30
CONTINUING THE ASCENDANT HEDGE FUND SERIES: A DEDICATED HEDGE FUND FORUM
All investment advisers have increasing compliance requirements and needs. Hedge funds are unique, however, and have additional fund structure, marketing and regulatory issues. This expanded session will provide a caucus forum focused on the unique aspects of hedge fund management compliance.
Topics Include:
- Hedge Fund Managers’ Response to the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets
- Hedge Fund Structures
- IC Act Exemptions 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7)
- ERISA “Plan Asset” Definitions
- Changes to Regulation D
- SEC Regulations and Enforcement
- Securities Exchange Act Rules: BD Exemptions
- Marketing and Offering Funds: Finders and the Solicitors’ Rule
- Insider Trading Issues
3:30 – 5:30
FORM ADV WORKSHOP
An In-Depth Look at Disclosure, Conflicts of Interest and Plain English
- Plain English Requirements
- Knowing Your Compliance Deadline
- Identifying Conflicts of Interest: A Key Disclosure Obligation
- Describing Investment Services and Processes
- Involving Marketing, Trading and Portfolio Managers
- Delivering Your Disclosure Brochure: New Requirements
3:30 - 4:25
TRADING WORKSHOP
Compliance Testing Section / Examining the Trade Blotter
- CCO Evaluation of Trade Aggregation and Allocation
- Detection of Market Misconduct
- Working with Spreadsheets and Data
- Implementing New CFP Board Standards
4:30 – 5:30
MARKETING WORKSHOP
- Composite Construction
- Portfolio Accounting System Implementation
- Best Practice Disclosure Requirements
- Common Deficiencies
CONCLUSION OF CONFERENCE
