Los Angeles, California. IFC Advisors, a FINRA registered firm in Los Angeles chooses the AdvisorVault 17a-4 Managed 365 Service® to get 17a-4 compliant on the Microsoft Cloud

With a mix of outdated technology IFC had a mess compliance wise: an end-of-life server with data scattered all over the place, although they had a Microsoft subscription already, they needed a better Cloud Provider to fully migrate to Microsoft 365 and consolidate their records while simplifying compliance & reducing IT costs. 

Cloud Consolidation Meeting 17a-4

“The Key for IFC meeting 17a-4 was centralizing everything on Microsoft 365”, Said Allan Lonz, President of AdvisorVault. “For example, they needed to migrate their old server to SharePoint; move PC data to OneDrive; upgrade to Microsoft Business Standard license provided by AdvisorVault.” Added Lonz

Essentially though, with this move to Microsoft 365 (through AdvisorVault), IFC was fully using the cloud with 50 GB mailboxes on Exchange, 1 TB of space on OneDrive for each user and another TB for SharePoint with Teams added allowing AdvisorVault to archive their entire operation centrally - easily meeting rule 17a-4.

Benefits of AdvisorVault’s 17a-4 Managed 365 Service®
By using AdvisorVault’s 17a-4 Managed 365 Service FINRA firms get these benefits:

A fully supported and archived Microsoft Cloud for one Flat Monthly Fee

FINRA Cybersecurity with email filtering & threat monitoring built-in

The 17a-4 D3P Service with attestation letters prepared

To learn more how IFC used the AdvisorVault 17a-4 Managed 365 Service getting fully compliant on Microsoft 365 download the Case Study:

About IFC: A boutique investment banking firm that specializes in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and financial advisory services for middle market clients. IFC is able support the strategic and financial objectives of clients with a level of expertise and professionalism that is traditionally available only from large investment banking firms

About AdvisorVault: A FINRA 17a-4 Designated Third Party (D3P) AdvisorVault has re-invented the way small firms approach compliance with the only consolidated approach designed specifically for broker-dealers, RIAs, hedge funds & private equity firms giving them a fully outsource; fully managed option for the archiving & supervision of electronic records meeting 17a-4 compliance demands.

Geneva (March 30, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 067.25 to keep stakeholders informed about an additional delay to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reporting requirements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Under ‘Toxic Substances Control Act Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances’ (‘TSCA PFAS Reporting Rule’), signed into effect on September 28, 2023, businesses that have manufactured or imported PFAS, including PFAS containing articles, for commercial purposes between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2022, must report designated PFAS compounds to the EPA. The original submission period under the law was from November 12, 2024, to May 8, 2025, with an additional six months for small businesses. This was then pushed back by eight months on September 5, 2024.

The EPA has now announced a second delay, pushing back the reporting period to April 13, 2026 – October 13, 2026, with a date of April 13, 2027, for small manufacturers reporting exclusively as article importers.

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that may impact their business. SafeGuardS 067.25 contains details of the reporting rule delay, including information on the reasons behind the change and an additional consultation.

Stakeholders are advised to review the original SafeGuardS 067.25 for further details.

SGS chemical testing
SGS offers a comprehensive range of testing services to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products are safe and comply with national and international regulations concerning harmful chemicals. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS chemical testing services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full EPA Postpones Submission Period under TSCA PFAS Reporting Rule by Nine Months SafeGuardS.

Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Melanie Tamayo
Senior Technical Manager, SGS NA.
Tel: + 1 312 414 9394

Dr. Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: +852 2774 7420

Website: www.sgs.com/cp
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW)

Miami (May 30, 2025) -  The Women’s Edge announced today that The Wellington Agency, LLC was named one of the 2025 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Florida. On May 8^th, the honorees were recognized during a celebratory luncheon event at Le Meridien Dania Beach. The 100 organizations honored generated over $40.5 billion in total revenue in 2024, demonstrating that women leaders continue to be key drivers of the state’s economy.

“The organizations on this year’s diverse list are driving $40.5 billion of revenue into the FL economy and innovation across the country, from breakthroughs in clinical care and therapeutics to innovation in travel,” said The Women’s Edge Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth L. Hailer. “We are honored to celebrate the Top 100 women leaders and hope it inspires others to drive for success here in our region and beyond.”

This is the 4^th year that The Women’s Edge – a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing women in leadership positions — created the list through a nomination process and reviewed both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. In addition to revenue or operating budget, factors considered in the ranking included workplace and management diversity, board makeup, and innovative projects. The full list will be published in Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.

“The collective impact of Florida’s Top 100 Women-Led Businesses is nothing short of extraordinary. Together, these women are not just generating over $40 billion in revenue — they are creating jobs, driving innovation, and shaping the economic future of our state. Their leadership proves that when women rise, entire communities and industries thrive”, said The Women’s Edge Executive Director, Florida, Lindse Murphy. “It gives me great joy to elevate and celebrate these impactful leaders and their organizations.” 

About The Women’s Edge

The Women’s Edge is a non-profit organization that propels women leaders to achieve professional and personal success and deliver positive impact within their business and community. Founded in 1997, The Women’s Edge achieves this mission by collaborating and connecting extraordinary women at all stages of their careers — from next generation leaders to CEOs; continually building a pipeline of high performing women leaders; delivering relevant leadership programs, events and perspectives with actionable insights; incorporating inclusive leadership and belonging to foster equity; and leveraging technology to expand reach and amplify impact.

Visit https://thewomensedge.org/ for more information.

Geneva (May 26, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is pleased to present a complimentary webinar, ‘Acne and rosacea: cutting edge methods for product evaluation’ on June 18, 2025.

For manufacturers developing new acne and rosacea treatments, understanding testing methodologies is crucial for ensuring the safety, efficacy and regulatory compliance of their products. Choices between traditional and innovative techniques need to be informed by a thorough understanding of these methods and the data they produce.

In this webinar, presenter Dr Gunja Springmann will provide attendees with an overview of commonly used techniques, as well as focusing on high-end methods such as Raman spectroscopy, laser confocal/optical coherence tomography and Vivascope. The webinar will also highlight the assessment of skin tolerance through application studies and patch testing, a critical step in confirming product safety.

Participants will gain practical insights to help optimize product evaluation processes and drive innovation in treatment development. The webinar will also explore how emerging methods can support compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.

This webinar will be of interest to manufacturers of cosmetic and topical medicinal products.

Register now

For further information contact:

Jennifer Buckley
Senior Global Marketing Manager
SGS, Food, Cosmetics & Personal Care
Tel: +1 973 461 1498

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

Geneva (May 28, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 063.25, reporting on the US state of New York’s prohibition on the use of intentionally-added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting personal protective equipment (FPPE). The ban will come into force on January 1, 2028.

Known for their flame-retardant properties, many chemicals in the PFAS family have been found to cause serious health conditions, including cancer. Their toxicity and bioaccumulation in the environment mean that restrictions on their use are becoming more widespread.

Under Section 391-U of the state’s General Business Law, ‘Restrictions on the sale and use of firefighting equipment containing PFAS chemicals’, manufacturers and retailers of FPPE must provide written notice to the buyer at the point of sale if the product contains any PFAS. In addition, they must provide a reason for its inclusion.

On May 9, 2025, the governor signed into law S3008 (Chapter 58). Part SS amends the original legislation by repealing the requirement to provide a reason for including PFAS in purchaser notifications. It also prohibits the intentional addition of PFAS in FPPE and introduces a restriction banning their presence above a threshold established by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 0063.25 includes a useful table summarizing the relevant highlights of S3008, including its scope and requirements, as well as a definition of FPPE.

Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 063.25 for more details.

SGS chemical testing
SGS offers a comprehensive range of testing services to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products are safe and comply with national and international regulations concerning harmful chemicals. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS chemical testing services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full New York State Bans PFAS in Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment SafeGuardS.

Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: +852 2774 7420

Melanie Tamayo
Senior Technical Manager, North America
Tel: +1 (312) 414-9394

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).