The FCA is urging firms not already registered on Connect to do so. They are emailing, calling and writing to firms that are not currently Connect users to encourage them to sign up before the new requirement comes into force in January 2020.
From January 2020, firms will be required to submit their mandatory annual update via Connect. This will include updating and confirming the accuracy of the firm’s details annually (even if there is no change), in line with the firm’s Accounting Reference Date (ARD).
The mandatory update form is within Applications and is available through a new menu choice, ‘Update or Attest your firm’s details’. The form is in the same format as all other applications in Connect.
Firms that are not already registered will find this link helpful.
More information about this new requirement is available here.
The firm’s ARD will determine when the information is required.
FCS Transitional Arrangements
Steve Bailey Compliance Update
As you will be aware the Financial Services Authority ceased to be and the Financial Conduct Authority took over the regulation of financial advice firms on 01 April 2013.
The FSA issued PS13/05 last week which includes updated rules and transition arrangements. The policy statement itself is 88 pages but the ‘appendix (3)’ that accompanies it is a mere 1990 pages so you must excuse us for not as yet absorbing every word. The document can be seen here.