Weaver Expands Asset Management Consulting Services and Announces New Director, Michael Barakat

HOUSTON (October 5, 2023) – National accounting and advisory firm Weaver is pleased to announce the expansion of its Asset Management Consulting services to provide compliance services to investment advisers and broker dealers. Under the leadership of Bruce Mills, managing director, Weaver’s new director, Michael Barakat, will work with registered investment advisers (RIAs), private fund advisers and broker dealers to provide compliance support, audit and consulting services.

“Compliance is paramount for investment advisers and demands a high level of attention to regulations, controls and risk management initiatives,” said Alyssa Martin, National Strategy Leader, Large Markets and Public Entities. “The addition of compliance services tailored to advisers fits well with Weaver’s strategy to better serve the investment community and will help our clients to meet their regulatory challenges head-on.”

With an initial emphasis on private fund RIAs, Weaver provides partial and fully outsourced compliance services to meet SEC and FINRA reporting requirements and standards. These services include:

• Registrations and Filings: SEC and state registrations for new RIAs, Form ADV and Form PF Review as well as 13F and 13H filings.
• Ongoing Compliance Assistance: IARD administration, policy and procedure creation and maintenance, advertising and marketing review, electronic surveillance, gifts and entertainment, compliance training and education as well as regulatory exam support and code of ethics – SEC Rule 204A1 to include personal securities transactions review, outside business activities, political contributions and material non-public information monitoring.
• Testing and Monitoring: 206(4)-7 annual risk and assessment and compliance review, quarterly and annual testing, business continuity planning and service provider review as well as due diligence and mock exams.
• Broker Dealers: Form U4, U5 and Form BD matters, business continuity planning, cybersecurity, written supervisory procedures, branch office inspections and anti-money laundering audits in addition to 3120/3130 supervisory controls assessments and regulatory inquiry assistance.

Michael Barakat, the team’s new director, brings two decades of experience in compliance roles for large public, private and endowment investment management firms, including serving as chief compliance officer. His background includes the management of regulatory filings, policy maintenance and risk mitigation for multiple compliance programs. Most recently, Michael has focused on outsourced compliance services for the alternative investment industry.

“Michael’s deep compliance experience, along with his understanding of our clients’ regulatory demands, truly expands the capabilities of our Asset Management Consulting practice, said Bruce Mills, managing director, Asset Management Consulting. “He combines extensive experience and technical knowledge with a focus on the client experience, which is key to Weaver’s service approach.”

Based in Weaver’s Houston office, Michael received a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Stony Brook University-SUNY.