How to Register for Investment Adviser: Complete and Simple Guide for Beginners

Investment advisors are professionals that advise and assist clients in financial matters. Investing consultants offer guidance on a wide range of financial issues, including insurance policies for financial planning and investment techniques. To work as an investment advisor in India, one must first obtain a certificate of registration from the SEBI.

What is SEBI registration?

It is one of the important prerequisites for becoming an investment advisor. Here is a guide to help you understand the complete process. Step 1. Education: You should be educated and knowledgeable about the industry you wish to work in. In addition to pursuing an MBA or other postgraduate degree, you should familiarize yourself with the basics of finance. You should also take courses to prepare yourself for the Pre-Registration Exam, which you can submit to SEBI. Step 2. Personal information: It is also important to have a detailed profile. SEBI requires the registrant to give basic personal information about themselves in the application form.

How do I register for an investment advisor?

To start offering financial planning services to clients, you need to be registered under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). You will be required to register and verify your contact details with SEBI.

Please note the following: 

• “The applicant” refers to the entity that is attempting to register as an IA.

• Applications that are incomplete or do not include all of the required supporting documents, information, or declarations will be rejected and will be considered unfiled.
• However, the applicant will be notified of this within a fair time frame.
• Applications that include policy decisions or other factors may take longer to complete and receive registration approvals.
• All documents and annexes provided with the application must be numbered and signed/stamped on each page.
• Please attach an authorisation letter from the IA's Directors/Designated Partners in the case of an Authorized signatory.
• SEBI currently has four regional offices: the Eastern Regional Office in Kolkata, the Northern Regional Office in Delhi, the Southern Regional Office in Chennai, and the Western Regional Office-II in Ahmedabad. In Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, and Patna, SEBI has opened nine local offices. 

What are the eligibility criteria for obtaining a certificate of registration from SEBI?

Here are a few important points to remember while registering for SEBI registration: To register, an applicant must have registered with either a recognized chartered accountant. It is important to have in mind the following three aspects while registering for SEBI registration: 

• Ansebi investment advisor registration(i.e. an attorney, accountant, or chartered accountant with several years' experience or are a recognized senior or associate member of ICAI, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) must register with SEBI before commencing business. 
• Certificate provided by CA that declares net assets
• Income Tax Return for the previous three years

How to Become a Registered SEBI Investment Advisor and obtain a certificate of registration

1. 1. The applicant for registration as an investment adviser under the SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations, 2013 should submit an application to SEBI in Form A, along with all important support documents.
2. Generally, within one month of receiving an application, the applicant will receive a response from SEBI. The time it takes to register, on the other hand, is governed by how well the applicant fulfills all of the registration requirements and offers complete information in all respects.
3. The applicant is advised to review the SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations, 2013 for eligibility criteria and other information 
4. In the covering letter, the applicant must include the following information.
   1. Whether the applicant has previously provided investment advising services prior to the enactment of these Regulations. If so, give specifics.
   2. Specific details of the financial advice given prior to the submission of the application.

5. The applicant will submit the following as part of the registration process:

a. Form A, duly filled out, numbered, signed, and stamped.

b. Rs. 5,000/- in application fees, payable in Mumbai by bank draft in favour of "The Securities and Exchange Board of India."

6. The applicant must also submit an online application in accordance with SEBI's requirements, which are updated from time to time.

Certificate of Registration is issued.

7. When deciding whether to grant registration, SEBI will take into account all of the requirements set forth in the Regulations. When SEBI is satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements, it will approve the application and notify the applicant, and upon receipt of the registration fees, it will issue a certificate of registration subject to the terms and circumstances that the Board deems appropriate.

8. Following SEBI clearance, the applicant must pay a registration fee of Rs.1,00,000/- (for corporate applicants) and Rs.10,000/- (for individual applicants) by bank draught in favour of "The Securities and Exchange Board of India," payable in Mumbai. SEBI will issue the applicant a certificate of registration as an IA after receiving the registration/re-registration costs.

Conclusion

Applicants will work as investment advisors after receiving a registration certificate from SEBI. To continue their profession without stumbling blocks, the advisor must stay current on new legislation. It is recommended that you go to the official SEBI website for this purpose, as well as to keep up with the latest circulars and updated recommendations.