CCOutreach Program

The mission of the CCOutreach program for fund and adviser Chief Compliance Officers ("CCOs") is to improve compliance by opening the lines of communication between CCOs of registered investment advisers and investment companies and SEC staff.

As part of the CCOutreach Program, we established an email address, CCOutreach@sec.gov. Please feel free to contact us or your local office (see office contact information at http://www.sec.gov/about/offices/ocie/ocie_org.htm) with any compliance questions or concerns you have regarding any industry or individual practice. You may request anonymity when speaking with the staff.

Seminars

• National Seminar

  The National Seminar is held annually at SEC headquarters in Washington, DC and covers various broad topics applicable to many firms. The topics may be most beneficial for larger adviser CCOs and may also include topics relevant to investment companies. This seminar consists of panel discussions among SEC staff and CCOs. SEC participants include staff from the Division of Investment Management and the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations, and examiners from various regional offices; CCO representatives are from firms ranging in asset size and complexity. The National Seminar is open to approximately 500 in-person attendees and is available via live and archived audio webcast. In-person attendees can submit question cards, which the various panels will attempt to address, time permitting.

  If you are a CCO interested in speaking at future National Seminars or have suggestions for panel discussions, please send an email to CCOutreach@sec.gov.

  • November 13, 2008 — additional information forthcoming
     
  • November 14, 2007
     
  • November 14, 2006
     
  • November 8, 2005
     
• Regional Seminars

  The Regional Seminars are hosted by examination staff located in the regional offices and are held in the spring and summer in various cities throughout the country. These seminars are intended to address more "nuts and bolts" of the examination process and are typically limited to 50 to 120 attendees. The topics may be most beneficial for mid-size and smaller adviser CCOs. The Regional Seminars often include question and answer sessions and, given their smaller size, are more conducive to audience interaction than the National Seminar. These seminars enable CCOs to interact with the staff from their local SEC office.

  • 2008 Seminar Information
     
  • 2007 Seminar Information
     
  • 2006 Seminar Information
     
  • 2005 Seminar Information

Availability of Continuing Education Credits for CPAs Attending the National and Regional CCOutreach Seminars

As of November 2006, the CCOutreach National and Regional Seminars have been designated as professional training programs for which certified public accountants may earn continuing professional education ("CPE") credits. The estimated CPE credits for attending the National Program are 7 hours and the Regional Programs are 4 hours, with all credits in specialized knowledge and applications. Students and instructors who are certified public accountants are eligible to receive CPE credits based on their in-person participation in the program. Application forms will be available at each program.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219-2417 or by visiting the website: www.nasba.org.

There are no prerequisites for these programs. No advance preparation for these programs is required and there is no charge to attend. You will be notified of any changes in the date, time, or cancellation of these programs. If you have any suggestions or complaints about earning CPEs at these programs, please contact either Karen Rossotto (202/551-6779) or Mavis Kelly (202/551-6381) to discuss/resolve the issue.

News & Public Statements

• SEC Examination Staff to Sponsor Regional Seminars (Press Release No. 2006-72, May 15, 2006)
   
• SEC Chairman Announces First National 'CCOutreach' Seminar (Press Release No. 2005-136, Sept. 26, 2005)
   
• Speeches and Public Statements
  • Opening Message by SEC Chairman Cox before the CCOutreach National Seminar (November 8, 2005)
    • Windows Media Streaming (13 Mb)
    • Windows Media Player (20 Mb)
    • AVI format (50 Mb)
  • Statement by SEC Chairman Cox Regarding the CCOutreach National Seminar (November 2, 2005)
     
  • Speech by Former SEC Chairman Donaldson: Remarks Before the ICI Mutual Fund and Investment Management Conference (March 14, 2005)

ComplianceAlerts

• July 2008
   
• June 2007

Resources

• Questions Advisers Should Ask Regarding Their Compliance Program
   
• Investment Adviser Scenario Analysis/Risk Matrix
   
• Examiner Oversight of Annual Reviews
   
• Helpful Resources
   
• Information for Newly-Registered Investment Advisers

Handouts

• Examination Process and Risk Assessment
   
• Information Requested and Tests Performed in Key Focus Areas
   
• Information For Small Advisers
   
• Summary of Recent Rulemaking Initiatives
   
• Information Regarding Top Deficiencies Found During Examinations
   
• Risk Assessment Flowchart
   
• Red Flag Legend