What is the Form ADV?

Form ADV is a standardized form used by Investment Advisers to register their business with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or to register with one or more state securities authorities. Firms with less than $100,000,000.00 assets under management (AUM) are not required to register nationally with the SEC, rather they will register in each state they conduct financial business. Firms with more than $100,000,000.00 must register with the SEC, these firms are considered by definition “Large” firms. Investment Advisors are required to update their ADV standing annually and list any amendments to the document from the previous year.

Each firm’s Form ADV is displayed on the SEC website and is available for general viewing. To many, this form is complex and difficult to interpret. Our goal is to compile the important information that is most valuable for clients to understand before they choose a financial professional to work with.

Form ADV is comprised of five sections:

• Part 1A

  Asks questions related to the general business practices of the firm.

• Part 1B

  Relates to investment advisory firms registered with individual state securities authorities. Firms that register with the SEC do not have to complete Part 1B.

• Part 2A

  Relates to firms that register with the SEC.

• Part 2B

  Provides information relating to supervised persons of the investment advisor firm.

• Part 3 Disclosure of the CRS brochure

  The CRS brochure is the Customer (or Client) Relationship Summary. This brochure provides easy to understand information about the firm’s offered services and duties to clients.

More information on the Form ADV and CRS brochure are available on the SEC Website.