What Is an Investment Advisory Representative?

Investment Advisory Representative (IAR) refers to personnel who work for investment advisory companies. The primary responsibility of an IAR is to provide investment-related advice. According to regulations, IARs can only offer advice on topics on which they have passed the appropriate examinations. An IAR must register with a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm. IARs receive compensation by charging fees.

Understanding Investment Advisory Representative (IAR)

In addition to passing the appropriate exams, an Investment Advisory Representative must be registered with the proper state authorities. To expand their knowledge of financial products and principles, many IARs hold either the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations.

Investment Advisory Representative Registration

IARs register in the state in which they provide investment advice; they do not require Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration. In the majority of states, IARs are required to file Form U4, which is the Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration. The form then gets filed on the Central Registration Depository (CRD) system.

IARs in most states are typically required to pass the Series 65 exam. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) administered exam consists of 130 scored questioned in which candidates have 180 minutes to complete the exam. Alternatively, to passing the Series 65 exam, IARs may pass the Series 66 and Series 7 exams. Some states allow for substitution credentials. For example, an individual may not have to pass the Series 65 exam if he or she holds a CFP designation. IARs have no continuing education requirements once registered. It is essential for RIA firms to ensure their IARs are registered correctly to avoid significant penalties.

Investment Advisory Representative Responsibilities

IARs typically perform the following functions:

  • Make Recommendations: IARs use their skill and judgment to make recommendations about different securities. They may use research produced by their firm to make an investment decision. For example, an IAR might make a buy recommendation to a client after analyzing a research note.
  • Manages Client Accounts: This includes all aspects of account management from managing discretionary accounts, to following up on administration issues. For instance, an IAR may request additional funds from an investor to settle an outstanding trade.
  • Advisory Services: IARs may provide general investment advice. For example, they may present a daily market report at a local television station or write a weekly investment column for a newspaper.
  • Supervise other IARs: An Investment Advisory Representative may manage other IARs. For example, they may ensure new staff met all regulatory requirements. IARs may also help train junior team members and monitor the investment advice they give to investors.