registered investment adviser
A term to know.
An individual or firm that: (1) for compensation; (2) is engaged in the business of; (3) providing advice, making recommendations, issuing reports, or furnishing analyses on securities, either directly or through publications. A person or firm must satisfy all three elements to be regulated under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, but there are a small number of exemptions for lawyers, accountants, and the like.