FINRA’s Department of Enforcement (Enforcement) is tasked with investigating potential FINRA Rules and securities law violations and, when warranted, bringing formal disciplinary actions against firms and their associated persons. The Associate Principal Investigator performs investigative functions for non-complex securities cases in order to develop complete and factual investigative records and make meaningful contributions to more complex securities matters. We are searching for a candidat... more details
FINRA’s Department of Enforcement (Enforcement) is tasked with investigating potential FINRA Rules and securities law violations and, when warranted, bringing formal disciplinary actions against firms and their associated persons.
The Associate Principal Investigator performs investigative functions for non-complex securities cases in order to develop complete and factual investigative records and make meaningful contributions to more complex securities matters.
We are searching for a candidate with experience in one or more of the following areas: market structure, trading algorithms, retail order routing logic, Reg SHO, trading strategies, Alternative Trading Systems, Regulation NMS, Best Execution Rule ( Rule 5310), and/or Market Access Rule (Rule 15c3-5).
Essential Job Functions:
Develop a complete and accurate factual record with input from managers.
- Determine and execute an effective risk-based investigative strategy
- Identify key documents and compile evidence supporting a charge, demonstrating understanding of evidence, legal requirements, and potential defenses
- Contribute to the creation of investigative plans, in collaboration with other investigators and the legal staff, and keep plan updated throughout an investigation;
- Accurately and objectively assess weaknesses and ambiguities in factual findings, and discuss them with legal staff
- Plan for and participate in testimony of witnesses
- Accurately and succinctly discuss investigative findings
- Provide effective testimony in litigation
- Draft information requests that are clear, complete, and targeted
- Draft clear and complete summaries of factual findings
- Execute effective customer interviews
Perform accurate data analysis in non-complex matters in accordance with well-established methodologies.
- Identify situations where new investigative or analytics tools and techniques could be used
- Effectively describe routine data analysis and findings
- Communicate with other investigative units across FINRA to problem-solve and resolve conflicts in investigative approaches
- Conduct accurate analysis
Efficiently complete investigations in non-complex matters timely.
- Independently meet deadlines
- Actively monitor investigations to ensure they are focused and targeted
- Identify and escalate matters or issues that require re-prioritization
- Participate in case discussions and meetings
- Provide work product that requires minimal change or re-direction
Collaborate with legal staff to produce a sound factual record supported by a clear legal framework in non-complex matters.
- Provide clear and accurate written factual findings to legal staff Work effectively with legal staff to ensure that written descriptions of factual findings are supported by the evidence
- Partner with legal staff to develop and execute an investigative plan to develop the record fully and effectively
- Present and discuss factual findings with legal staff
- Provide legal staff with insight from industry experience and/or subject matter expertise to help objectively assess the sufficiency of evidence
Demonstrate ability to complete non-complex investigations and provide high quality work in team-based environment.
- Work efficiently and accountably as part of a team to implement investigative plans
- Perform work in an efficient manner by leveraging collective knowledge and work across the organization
- Communicate effectively with other team members about factual and legal issues for analysis
- Promote a culture of inclusion in which the views of all team members are heard and considered, and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect
Education/Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field. Five (5) years of broker-dealer, compliance, financial or operational audits/investigations or related experience.
- Knowledge of rules, regulations, and guidelines governing the securities industry. Competence using a desktop computer with the full suite of office software applications.
Work Conditions:
- Work outside of business hours and overnight travel may be required.
For work that is performed in CA, Washington, DC, CO, HI, New York, NY, WA and MD the chart below outlines the proposed 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.
California: Minimum Salary $91,500, Maximum Salary $170,900
Washington, DC/Maryland: Minimum Salary $91,500, Maximum Salary $163,700
Colorado/Hawaii: Minimum Salary $79,500, Maximum Salary $142,300
New York, NY: Minimum Salary $95,400, Maximum Salary $170,900
Washington State: Minimum Salary $79,500, Maximum Salary $163,700
#LI-Hybrid
To be considered for this position, please submit an application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required.
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Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. FINRA provides comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance. Additional insurance includes basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, disability and legal. FINRA offers immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match and eligibility for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution, tuition reimbursement and many other benefits.
Time Off and Paid Leave*
FINRA encourages its employees to focus on their health and wellness in many ways, including through a generous time-off program of 15 days of paid time off, 5 personal days and 9 sick days (all pro-rated in the first year). Additionally, we are proud to support our communities by providing two volunteer service days (based on full-time schedule). Other paid leave includes military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, voting and election official leave for federal, state or local primary and general elections, care of a family member leave (available after 90 days of employment); and childbirth and parental leave (available after 90 days of employment). Full-time employees receive nine paid holidays.
*Based on full-time schedule
Important Information
FINRA’s Code of Conduct imposes restrictions on employees’ investments and requires financial disclosures that are uniquely related to our role as a securities regulator. FINRA employees are required to disclose to FINRA all brokerage accounts that they maintain, and those in which they control trading or have a financial interest (including any trust account of which they are a trustee or beneficiary and all accounts of a spouse, domestic partner or minor child who lives with the employee) and to authorize their broker-dealers to provide FINRA with duplicate statements for all of those accounts. All of those accounts are subject to the Code’s investment and securities account restrictions, and new employees must comply with those investment restrictions—including disposing of any security issued by a company on FINRA’s Prohibited Company List or obtaining a written waiver from their Executive Vice President—by the date they begin employment with FINRA. Employees may only maintain securities accounts that must be disclosed to FINRA at one or more securities firms that provide an electronic feed (e-feed) of data to FINRA, and must move securities accounts from other securities firms to a firm that provides an e-feed within three months of beginning employment.
You can read more about these restrictions here.
As standard practice, employees must also execute FINRA’s Employee Confidentiality and Invention Assignment Agreement without qualification or modification and comply with the company’s policy on nepotism.
Search Firm Representatives
Please be advised that FINRA is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for this employment opportunity. Regardless of past practice, a valid written agreement and task order must be in place before any resumes are submitted to FINRA. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at FINRA without a valid written agreement and task order in place will be deemed the sole property of FINRA and no fee will be paid in the event that person is hired by FINRA.
FINRA is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal state or local laws as appropriate, or upon the protected status of the person’s relatives, friends or associates.
FINRA abides by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.
FINRA abides by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.
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