RIA — ADV / Form CRS Compliance Checklist

SKILL.md

---
name: ria-adv-crs-compliance-checklist
description: "Activate when: annual ADV amendment season; onboarding/updating Form CRS delivery; launching marketing/testimonials; a mock/real exam; 'are we books-and-records compliant?', 'can we post this ad/testimonial?'. Do NOT activate when: the question is portfolio construction, not compliance."
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# RIA — ADV / Form CRS Compliance Checklist

> **Industry front door for checklist.** Adds domain triggers, example, packs only. Parent Process unchanged.
> **Not legal or compliance advice.** Verify against current SEC/state rules and your CCO before filing or publishing.

**Activate when:** annual ADV amendment season; onboarding/updating Form CRS delivery; launching marketing/testimonials; a mock/real exam; "are we books-and-records compliant?", "can we post this ad/testimonial?"
**Do NOT activate when:** the question is portfolio construction, not compliance.

## Why this variant
The parent checklist converts "are we covered?" into a verifiable gate. RIA regulation is a set of recurring, penalty-backed gates (ADV update, CRS delivery, Marketing Rule, Custody, Books & Records). This maps those obligations onto the parent's gate discipline.

## Domain inputs → parent's gate
Checklist items (state/SEC as applicable):
- **ADV Part 1/2A/2B** annual amendment within 90 days of fiscal year-end; material-change interim updates.
- **Form CRS** delivered to retail clients at/before engagement; filed; posted.
- **Marketing Rule (206(4)-1, 2021):** testimonials/endorsements disclosed & overseen; no cherry-picked performance; substantiation on hand.
- **Custody Rule 206(4)-2:** qualified custodian, account statements, surprise exam if deemed custody.
- **Books & Records 204-2:** required records retained (generally 5 yrs, first 2 easily accessible).
- **Reg S-P** privacy notice; **Code of Ethics 204A-1**; AML as applicable.

## Worked example
Advisor wants to post a client testimonial on the website.
→ Gate: Marketing Rule requires disclosures (whether compensated, material conflicts), advisor oversight, and records. Missing disclosure = fail → do not publish until the item clears.

## Compliance anchors
- Advisers Act Rules 204-2, 204A-1, 206(4)-1, 206(4)-2; Reg S-P; Form ADV & CRS instructions.

## Packs
- **Solo/small RIA:** annual compliance calendar tied to fiscal year-end.
- **CCO:** exam-ready evidence binder per rule; testing log.

## Red flags
- ADV past the 90-day window.
- Testimonial/ad without required disclosures or records.
- "Deemed custody" via SLOAs not assessed.

## Verification
- [ ] ADV amended within 90 days; interim material changes filed
- [ ] Form CRS delivered/filed/posted
- [ ] Marketing pieces disclosure-checked & recorded
- [ ] Custody status assessed
- [ ] Books & records retention confirmed

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Part of **deciqAI Knowledge Skills**. Core method: checklist.

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*Part of **deciqAI Knowledge Skills** — 189 open-source thinking skills that make rigor executable for AI agents. The same skills power every deciqAI agent, which runs them autonomously to operate your company. **See it run → https://www.deciqai.com/c/ria-adv-crs-compliance-checklist** · ⭐ Star the repo → https://github.com/deciqAI/knowledge-skills · Contributions welcome.*