Associate Principal Investigator, NCP - IRG - All FINRA Locations (Open)

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). 

• 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

Other Responsibilities:

Education/Experience 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.

For work that is performed in CA, CO, HI, MN, VT, IL, Jersey City, NJ, New York City, NY, MA, WA, MD, Washington, DC, NJ State and NY State, please refer to the chart below for the salary range for the corresponding location. In addition to location, actual compensation is based on various factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s skill set, level of experience, education, and internal peer compensation comparisons.

CA: Minimum Salary $94,200, Maximum Salary $176,000

CO/HI/MN/VT*: Minimum Salary $81,900, Maximum Salary $146,600

IL*: Minimum Salary $90,100, Maximum Salary $161,300
Jersey City, NJ/NYC, NY: Minimum Salary $98,300, Maximum Salary $176,000

MA/WA: Minimum Salary $81,900, Maximum Salary $168,600

MD/Washington, DC: Minimum Salary $94,200, Maximum Salary $168,600
NJ State: Minimum Salary $90,100, Maximum $176,000

NY State: Minimum Salary $81,900, Maximum Salary $176,000

*Including positions performed