Examination Readiness

If you've ever stared at an SEC exam notification letter wondering what happens next, this walks you through the entire lifecycle: from the initial document request list through staff interviews, deficiency letters, and remediation. It covers both SEC Division of Examinations and FINRA processes, explains how firms get selected for examination (risk-based screening, sweep exams, whistleblower tips), and includes frameworks for mock exams and annual compliance reviews under Rule 206(4)-7. The guidance is detailed on practicalities like what to expect during on-site visits, how to prepare your CCO for interviews, and how to organize document production. Most useful when you're actually in an exam cycle, but also solid for proactive readiness planning if you're a newly registered RIA or broker-dealer.

skills.sh installs: 675
GitHub stars: 224
last updated: Aug 21, 2026

View on GitHub

Install

$ npx -y skills add joellewis/finance_skills --skill examination-readiness --agent claude-code

Installs into .claude/skills of the current project.

Files

Examination Readiness — SEC & FINRA Regulatory Examinations

Regulatory status current as of June 2026 — verify effective dates, dollar thresholds, and pending rulemakings against current SEC/FINRA/FinCEN sources before advising.

Core Concepts

SEC Examination Process (Division of Examinations)

The SEC's Division of Examinations (formerly the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations, or OCIE) conducts examinations of registered entities including investment advisers, broker-dealers, transfer agents, clearing agencies, and self-regulatory organizations. The Division uses a risk-based approach to select firms for examination and to determine the scope and intensity of each exam.

Risk-based selection. The Division selects firms for examination based on a range of risk indicators rather than examining every registrant on a fixed schedule. Selection criteria include:

SKILL.md on GitHub