Investment Advisors

• Electronic Records
• Implementing Technology
• Policies and Procedures

• Risk Assessment
• Surveillance Program
• Training and Education

Electronic Records

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Supervising, archiving and retrieving electronic records is a challenge for many organizations. As technology continues to evolve to create more efficient ways for people to communicate, your compliance program must take the changing environment into consideration.

Services Offered

• Implement methods to stay aligned with new technology and tools your associates may be using outside your platform.
• Review policies and procedures against regulatory standards
• Review your technology platform to ensure it is compliant
• Identify potential points of failure in your processes
• Review, develop or enhance your training program
• Assist in modifying your existing technology tools to develop more efficient and effective supervisory processes
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs
• Independent third-party services

** Oyster can assist in vendor selection to help solve archiving, discovery, and supervisory control issues.

Implementing Technology

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Resolving issues and improving efficiency with technology can lead to unexpected problems and mixed results. Managing technology change takes careful planning and disciplined execution.

Oyster Consulting has the experience and expertise to ensure your technology project is successful. Our skilled consultants can help your firm improve its technology with the following services:

• Strategic Planning
• Requirements Gathering
• Vendor Selection
• Functional Design
• Testing
• Communication
• Training

Policies and Procedures

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Well crafted policies and procedures are at the heart of any compliance program, yet generic written supervisory procedures can put your organization at risk.

Policies and procedures are not just a compliance requirement, but a reliable resource to ensure that your firm and your clients get consistent quality results from each member of your team.

Services Offered

• Create user friendly manuals custom tailored to your firm practices
• Work with leaders in your organization to ensure that policies and procedures match business practices, create efficiency, and provide practical solutions to regulatory requirements.

Risk Assessment

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Well implemented risk assessment programs are the best way to help your organization determine how to focus valuable resources.

Oyster Consulting’s experienced team will help improve your operations, limit your regulatory exposure, and reduce litigation costs.

• Analyze the risk profile for your organization and implement actionable steps to improve your controls.
• Provide help in conducting quantitative and qualitative reviews of your products, business practices, policies, technology and structure.
• Determine the probability of experiencing a risk, and the potential severity.
• Develop a risk matrix to focus your attention on things that deserve the most attention
• Conduct a cost benefit analysis for implementing mitigating controls, and create efficient and effective solutions to help you manage your control environment.

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Surveillance programs must be reasonably designed to allow firms to enforce policies and procedures and to comply with industry rules and regulations.

Oyster Consulting’s team will evaluate your surveillance program to determine if you are effectively identifying and resolving issues.

• Identify gaps in surveillance as a result of new products, regulations, or system defects
• Apply methodical, time tested practices to prioritize, define, and implement enhancements to your surveillance platform
• Coach your staff to ensure they are trained, proficient with your tools, and eliminate superfluous tasks that waste time and valuable resources

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A well trained team is the best compliance tool your firm can have.

• Ensures that your associates have the breadth and depth of knowledge of your products, process and policies
• Improves your customer’s experience while reducing regulatory and financial risk
• Your associates will be trained by Oyster’s experienced and expert consultants who understand the business, technology, and regulatory environment
• Courses are specifically designed for your firm’s structure and products including:

   

  • Product features and best practices
  • New regulations
  • Key regulatory issues (AML, Business Continuity, Privacy, Senior Investors)
  • New technology