Form ADV-W Instructions

Note: Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, all terms used in the Form have the same meaning as in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and in the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder (17 Code of Federal Regulations 275).

1. We would like to withdraw from registration as an investment adviser. What do we need to do?
   You must determine whether you are filing for partial withdrawal or full withdrawal.

   A partial withdrawal is when you are withdrawing from investment adviser registration with some, but not all, of the jurisdictions where you are registered (or have an application for registration pending). For example, you would file for partial withdrawal if you are switching from state registration to SEC registration (or vice versa). Similarly, you would file for partial withdrawal if you are a state-registered adviser and are withdrawing from some, but not all, of the states with which you are registered (or have an application for registration pending).  

   
   A full withdrawal is when you are withdrawing from all of the jurisdictions with which you are registered (or have an application pending).

   If you are filing for partial withdrawal and switching from SEC to state registration, you must complete the Status Section, Items 1A through 1D, and the Execution Section. You do not need to complete Items 1E through 8 of Form ADV-W.
   
   If you are filing for partial withdrawal and switching from state to SEC registration, you must complete the entire Form ADV-W.
   
   If you are registered only with the state securities authorities and withdrawing from some, but not all, of the states where you are registered, you must complete the entire Form ADV-W.
   
   If you are filing for full withdrawal, you must complete the entire Form ADV-W.

    

2. We are going out of business. Does this change how we would answer particular questions on the Form ADV-W? 
   Yes. The purpose of Item 1D is so that we can contact you if the Form ADV-W is deficient or if we have questions. If you are going out of business, make sure you list in Item 1D an address and phone number at which we can reach the contact employee.

    

3. I am a state registered adviser filing for partial withdrawal. How do I complete Item 2?
   If you are a state registered adviser ceasing advisory business in any of the jurisdictions from which you are withdrawing, check "yes." On the next line, provide the date on which you are ceasing advisory business in these jurisdictions (however, if you cease conducting advisory business on different dates in different jurisdictions, you must complete a separate Form ADV-W for each different date). The date you provide in this blank must be on or before the date you file Form ADV-W. Then, provide the reasons you are filing for withdrawal (regardless of whether you are filing for partial or complete withdrawal).
   
   You are permitted to "post-date" the Form ADV-W to December 31 anytime between November 1 and December 31. You are permitted to enter a cease date of December 31 to avoid being charged state renewal fees in jurisdictions from which you are withdrawing (during the last part of December each year the IARD suspends filing operations for several days to process renewals of state registrations and state notice filings; and you are unable to submit any filings during that time). However, you cannot enter any date other than December 31, and you can only enter a December 31 cease date after November 1.

    

4. I have completed Form ADV-W and filed it with the SEC. When will it become effective?
   Your Form ADV-W will become effective when it is filed with the SEC. However, your Form ADV-W will not be deemed "filed" until the SEC receives it and determines that it is not deficient. The effective date of a Form ADV-W filed with the state securities authorities may be different.

    

5. How should I file my Form ADV-W? 
   You are required to file Form ADV-W electronically on the IARD.
   
   In the event you are unable to submit an electronic filing, you must apply for a temporary or continuing hardship exemption pursuant to rule 203-3. If you can rely on a temporary or continuing hardship exemption, you must mail one manually signed Form ADV-W and one copy to: IARD Document Processing, FINRA, P.O. Box 9495, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-9495.
   
   Whether you file on the IARD or are permitted to submit paper filings, you must preserve in your records a copy of the Form ADV-W that you file with the SEC.

    

6. What are the Schedules to Form ADV-W? 
   Form ADV-W contains two Schedules, Schedule W1 and W2. Your answers to Form ADV-W will determine whether you are required to complete both Schedules, or only Schedule W1.
   
   Schedule W1 is a "continuation page" for Item 5 and a "response page" for Item 8. The names of individuals listed on Schedule W1 must be given in full. If you have assigned advisory contracts to another person (as indicated on Item 5 of Form ADV-W), you must complete Section 5 of Schedule W1. If you are filing for full withdrawal or you are a state-registered investment adviser, you must provide the name of each person who has or will have custody or possession of your books and records, and each location where the records are or will be kept (Item 8). You may have to complete multiple Schedule W1s, depending on the number of persons who have or will have custody or possession of your books and records and/or the number of locations where your records are or will be kept. Instruction number seven, below, provides several examples that should help you properly respond to Item 8 to Form ADV-W.
   
   Schedule W2 requires basic financial information relating to your investment advisory business. If you check "yes" to Items 3, 4, or 6, you are required to complete Schedule W2.

    

7. Questions about Item 8. The following examples are intended to assist you in completing Section 8 of Schedule W1 for any persons who have or will have custody of your books and records, and the location(s) at which those records are or will be kept.

   a. After I withdraw from registration, two persons (Persons A and B) will have custody of my books and records, but my books and records will be kept at a single location. How should I complete the Schedule W1?
   
   You would complete two Schedules W1. The first would list Person A, and the location at which your books and records will be kept. You would complete a second Schedule W1 that would list Person B, and would list (again) the location at which your books and records will be kept.
   
   b. After I withdraw from registration, only one person will have custody of my books and records, but they will be kept at three locations (Locations X, Y and Z). How should I complete the Schedule W1?
   
   You would complete three Schedules W1. The first would list the person that will have custody of your books and records, and Location X. The second Schedule W1 would list (again) the person that has or will have custody of your books and records, and Location Y. The third Schedule W1 would list (again) the person that has or will have custody of your books and records, and Location Z.
   
   c. After I withdraw from registration, two people (Persons A and B) will have custody of my books and records, and my books and records will be kept at two locations (Locations Y and Z). Each person would have custody of the books and records that are kept at both locations. How should I complete the Schedule W1?

   You would complete four Schedules W1. The first would list Person A and Location Y. The second Schedule W1 would list (again) Person A, and would list Location Z. The third Schedule W1 would list Person B and Location Y, and the fourth Schedule W1 would list Person B and Location Z. On each Schedule W1, you should briefly describe the records that are kept at each location (e.g., business and trading records from 1996 through 1999).

    

8. Who should sign the Form ADV-W? 
   Copies of the Form ADV-W you file with the SEC must be executed by a person you have authorized to file the Form. If you are a sole proprietor, you must sign the Form; if you are a partnership, a general partner must sign the Form in the name of the partnership; if you are an unincorporated organization or association that is not a partnership, the managing agent (an authorized person who directs or manages or who participates in the directing or managing of its affairs) must sign the Form in the name of the organization or association; if you are a corporation, a principal officer duly authorized must sign the Form in the name of the corporation. If an officer of any entity is signing the Form, the officer's title must be given.

    

9. What if I need more space to provide additional information? 
   If you are filing electronically, add any additional information in the text box asking you to "describe the books and records kept at this location." If you are filing on paper, use the reverse side of Schedule W1 to provide any additional information.

    

10. What if I do not follow these instructions when completing the Form ADV-W? 
    If you do not prepare and execute the Form ADV-W as required by these instructions, SEC staff may return the form to you for correction. The SEC's acceptance of the Form, however, is not a finding that you have filed the Form ADV-W as required or that the information submitted is true, correct or complete.

    PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT. Section 203(h) of the Advisers Act [15 U.S.C. §80b-3(h)] authorizes the Commission to collect the information required by Form ADV-W. The Commission collects this information for regulatory purposes, such as reviewing an adviser's application to withdraw. Filing Form ADV-W is mandatory for an investment adviser to withdraw from registration. The Commission maintains the information submitted on Form ADV-W and makes it publicly available. The Commission may return forms that do not include required information. Intentional misstatements or omissions constitute federal criminal violations under 18 U.S.C. §1001 and 15 U.S.C. §80b-17. The information contained in Form ADV-W is part of a system of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The Commission has published in the Federal Register the Privacy Act System of Records Notice for these records.

    SEC'S COLLECTION OF INFORMATION. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. Section 203(h) of the Advisers Act authorizes the Commission to collect the information on this Form from applicants. See 15 U.S.C. §80b-3(h). Filing of this Form is mandatory for an investment adviser to withdraw from registration. The principal purpose of this collection of information is to enable the Commission to verify that the activities of an investment adviser seeking to withdraw from registration do not require the investment adviser to be registered and to determine whether terms and conditions should be imposed upon a registrant's withdrawal. By accepting a form, however, the Commission does not make a finding that it has been completed or submitted correctly. The Commission will maintain files of the information on Form ADV-W and will make the information publicly available. Any member of the public may direct to the Commission any comments concerning the accuracy of the burden estimate on page one of Form ADV-W, and any suggestions for reducing this burden. This collection of information has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. §3507.