Compliance Specialist

Compliance Specialist

FLSA Status: Exempt

Firm Overview

Sierra Investment Management has three Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs):  Sierra Investment Management (retail RIA); Ocean Park Asset Management (model delivery through Financial Advisors (FAs)); and Wright Fund Management (adviser to the Sierra Mutual Funds).  The firm currently has assets under management of about $5.5 billion, more than double the value three years ago. Home office is in Santa Monica, CA with a sales office in Franklin, TN and several remote workers located outside of those two locations.

Position Snapshot

The Compliance Specialist works independently, as well as collaboratively, as part of the compliance team. This position assists the firm’s Chief Compliance officer with the compliance program in response to the changing needs of the organization, laws, and policies. Reports to the CEO or CCO.

Essential Functions

• Enforce the Code of Ethics and Compliance Manual including, maintaining, updating, and overseeing the compliance monitoring program across the firm.
• Maintain working knowledge and understanding of federal laws and regulations regarding investment advisers
• Assist with maintaining a culture of compliance with relevant laws and regulations
• Identify and manages risk to the enterprise
• Maintain the annual compliance calendar for filings, etc.
• Onboard new employees with trade reporting, licensing & registration, etc.
• Assist with compliance reviews of marketing related materials, such as presentations, and other forms of communication
• Monitor and test home office and sales activities on an ongoing basis and as part of the annual review process
• Oversee compliance with personal trading, gifts & entertainment, etc.
• Compile various data requirements for financial and regulatory reporting to various agencies
• Collaborate with the compliance team on review of regulations and make appropriate updates and recommendations to regulatory documents and policies and procedures

·        Perform additional duties as assigned, along with various ad hoc projects

·        Assists with projects and initiatives to automate compliance processes and testing as much as possible.  Maximize use of existing technology applications (Orion BasisCode, Preparis, Heymarket, etc.) to support the efficiency of the compliance function.

·        Maintain logs that record the implementation of the firm’s policies, procedures, and Code of Ethics.

·        Assist with information security and privacy-related initiatives.

·        Receives and processes proxy vote requests for WFM; maintains voting record and submits annual Form N-PX to Northern Lights Compliance.

·        Serves as the Super Administrator for the IARD system. Ensures sufficient funding in each firms’ Flex-funding Account for annual filing fees.

·        Supports the CCO with interface with Northern Lights Compliance Services for compliance issues relating to Wright Fund Management and the Sierra mutual funds.

Required Qualifications, Education, and Experience

·       Bachelor’s Degree required, additional certifications and/or education a plus

·        Minimum 5 years of experience dealing with securities laws and regulations applicable to broker-dealers, Investment Advisors, and investment Companies

·        Desire to keep abreast of best practices as well as evolving issues within scope of the position

·        Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must be clear, concise, and confident with the ability to manage internal and external messages

·        Ability to read, edit, and proofread a wide variety of documents with attention to accuracy

·        Ability to manage confidential information with discretion

·        Strong organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities

·        Experience and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Suite applications, including PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Word; create PDF files and forms

·        Self-starter who can work independently to self-direct work and exercise judgment to formulate and implement

Work Environment

Normal office working environment.  Sierra is currently in a ‘hybrid’ work arrangement with employees in the office 3 days per week with the ability to work remotely 2 days per week.  Preference is for the employee to work from the Santa Monica office but will consider the right candidate in a remote location with occasional travel to our Santa Monica office.

Salary Range

Salary range $65,000 - $100,000 depending upon relevant experience.