Associate Principal Investigator, NCP - IRG - All FINRA Locations

FINRA • Los Angeles, CA

275d • $94,200 - $176,000

About The Position

FINRA's Initial Review Group (IRG) is the centralized unit for the intake, review, and analysis of regulatory intelligence received through a variety of sources, including internal sources, regulatory tips, customer complaints, firm regulatory filings, arbitration filings, and referrals from other regulators, with an eye toward quickly identifying and escalating higher-risk matters. The Associate Principal Investigator, IRG, will perform Intake & Assessment with moderate supervision, and will demonstrate competency in investigative techniques and an understanding of relevant FINRA rules, federal securities laws, and markets and trading. Upon receipt of a triggering event (tip, complaint, firm filing, etc.), IRG investigators: (1) Analyze the information received and identify the regulatory issues raised to determine, among other things, whether FINRA has jurisdiction; (2) Collect and analyze additional relevant information obtained from internal and external systems to assess the risk to the investing public and the securities markets; (3) Collaborate with other internal and external stakeholders as needed to share relevant information; and (4) Make well-reasoned recommendations for the appropriate regulatory response (i.e., referral to NCP for cause exam or to another FINRA department for further investigation, referral to the appropriate regulatory agency, or close the matter with no further review).

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience; required.
• Advanced degree or law degree, preferred.
• Substantive knowledge of relevant FINRA rules and the federal securities laws.
• Substantive knowledge of the securities markets and member firm operations and its books and records.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and complete high quality reviews and investigations, including an ability to work quickly on multiple time-sensitive matters.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency using computer programs with the full suite of Office software applications.

Responsibilities

• Reviews triggering event information and clarifies firm filing information by contacting firm personnel in order to determine jurisdiction of individuals, products, accounts, and firms identified in triggering events.
• Gathers background intelligence using external and internal resources (including people and systems) in order to assess risk and regulatory implications and determine appropriate intake disposition.
• Performs additional outreach, as needed, including requests for additional information from the complaint/tip submitter and/or firm in order to analyze the regulatory intelligence.
• Conducts interviews with relevant parties (e.g. firms, reps, customers, attorneys) in order to gather facts related to the matter.
• Assesses and analyzes information gathered in order to identify if there are potential violations of FINRA rules and/or federal securities laws, and if it is appropriate to expand the scope of the review.
• Identifies and elevates apparent trends to manager, to be raised to internal FINRA groups (e.g. firm, industry, product trends).
• Collaborates within NCFC, and with other FINRA departments as needed (e.g. Enforcement), to share relevant information.
• Recommends and drafts appropriate assessment dispositions, including closing the matter, issuing cautionary action, promoting to investigation, or referring to internal or external parties.
• Participates in special projects to address ongoing program enhancements, as assigned.
• Trains and mentors junior staff and new hires.
• Conducts specialized areas of review (e.g. MSRB, BSA, SEC referrals), as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance.
• Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match and eligibility for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits.
• Adoption assistance.
• Backup family care.
• Surrogacy benefits.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Wellness programs.
• 15 days of paid time off, 5 personal days and 9 sick days.
• Two volunteer service days.
• Paid military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, and other paid leave options.
• Nine paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree