A registered investment adviser (RIA) is a firm registered with the SEC or a state securities regulator to give investment advice for compensation.
Advisers with $100 million or more in regulatory assets under management generally register with the SEC; smaller advisers generally register with their state. Either way, RIAs file Form ADV and owe their clients a fiduciary duty.
The individuals who give advice on behalf of an RIA are investment adviser representatives (IARs).
How to check
Search the firm name on the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site.
Sources
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