Version 3.2
(Formatted in MS Word

UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR BROKER-DEALER REGISTRATION and
 INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVE

ACN/Form BD & Form U-4 / U-5 is a software program that contains the instructions and forms for the Uniform Application for Broker-Dealer Registration and Investment Adviser Representative issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) formatted in MS Word . Advisor Consultant Network, Inc. has converted this information into a software format in order for broker-dealers and investment firms to work with the SEC information (text and forms) in a more efficient and productive manner. This software contains full instructions for both the ACN / Form BD and Forms U-4 / U-5 regardless if you have purchased the Form BD or the Form U-4 program separately.

ACN has endeavored to duplicate the material in form and content to the best of its abilities but does not guarantee the accuracy of its output. This product is independent of SEC / NASD collaboration and is designed as a tool for investment firms in the handling of their compliance requirements. All rights to the forms, rules and interpretations are reserved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This information is provided as an introduction to the federal securities laws pertaining to brokers and dealers and investment advisers and is only intended to highlight and summarize some of the significant material. It should NOT be relied on in lieu of reference to the actual statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GETTING STARTED (Return to TOC)

The Form BD program contains eleven files, the Form U-4 / U-5 five files. There are a total of six text documents and ten templates in the combined programs. The default directory for the Forms is ACN. You are presently in the Fbdhelp.doc file that contains the ACN Help/User Guide. The default directory where templates are found is in the MSOffice and/or Winword directory depending upon your version of MS Word.

The forms and schedules are set up as Word templates (.dot) and not documents (.doc). A template offers you the functionality of both word-processing and tables in order to simplify your handling of the form.

The other text documents, Fbdinstr.doc, Fbdwinst.doc, Fu4instr.doc, Fu5instr.doc and the SECinfo.doc contain general and special instructions issued by the SEC for completing and handling Form BD and the accompanying individual applications, Form U-4 and Form U-5. You can access these files either from the ACN / Form BD Menu Option at the top of your screen or they will be found in the default directory used in installing this program on your PC - C:\ACN\FormBD

Unique Features with your Form BD & Form U-4 / U-5:

Form BD Menu Option: Open any new Form BD template or a saved form or schedule and on the same line as your MS Word Menu Bar, the ACN / Form BD Menu Option will appear. The menu offers you quick access to three features: Help/User Guide, specific instructions for filling out the forms, and general information on the registration and regulation of brokers and dealers.

Investment Adviser Representative: The Investment Adviser's User Manual and Web CRD Navigation Guide instructions are included as PDF files and saved in the ACN/FormBD directory. To open the files select Start, Programs, ACN Form BD.

Protected Document Macro: Each template includes a macro that allows you to Protect and Unprotect a document without losing entered data in the form fields when you go from an unprotected to a protected document. You may need to do this from time to time to make small changes in the forms or schedules. You will lose your data when you do this in a normal Word document.

Open a New Form

1. Start MS Word
2. Select File, New (Open gives you a blank file or page; New gives you the templates!)
3. Select the Form BD & Form U-4 / U-5 template you need.
4. Select the ACN / Form BD Menu option for help, instructions or additional information.

All documents including forms and schedules are set up in separate Read-Only files. After you have added information to a form or schedule and you elect to save it, you will be prompted with a Save As option. Name your new file and you will always have the original blank form or schedule template.

FILLING OUT THE FORMS (Return to TOC)

Each form is a protected document which accomplishes two things: (1) no one will inadvertently change the formatting, and (2) the form fields are activated so that your cursor will only move to those fields that require an answer.

Before you start filling out the forms, first print them or select File Menu, Print Preview to make sure that your printer will accept the margins that were used in formatting these files. If the pages do not print properly refer to the section below on Margins.

The font default for the form fields is Arial/Bold Blue. (See Protected Forms section below for changing this setting.)

Navigating & Completing

Use the PgUp, PgDn, Tab, Arrow or Enter keys to move from one field to the next. To scroll through the document, use your mouse and the scroll bar.

You can also use your mouse to position the cursor on any field but you may need to double click on the form field or Arrow UpDn until the desired field is highlighted.

Click on a Yes/No check box to place (or remove) an "X" in it or press the letter "X" while the box is highlighted.

Field Size

In most cases the form fields (shadowed gray areas) take up a single line or less since its properties are designed to limit the number of characters. The form field is limited to a number of characters, not a specific size. In some instances, it is possible to run an answer over onto a second line.

For example, the size of a city field may be 20 characters. Consider the following entries:

WASHINGTON D.C.

Washington D.C.

While both of the above entries have the same number of letters, one takes up more space. In some circumstances you can cause a single line form field to wrap and become two lines. Caution: This may change the number of lines, and may cause the bottom of the form to run over onto an additional page.

To alter a field size select Tools Menu, Unprotect Document; then highlight the field and right click or select Form Field, Options on the Form Field Toolbar. (See Protected Forms section for protecting and unprotecting documents.)

Saving a Form or Schedule

To save your work, click on File, Save. ( The Save As button will also get you there.) You will be prompted with a dialog box offering you various options in naming your file. Name the file as you do with any MSWord document.

MARGINS (Return to TOC)

Page margins are set for an HP LaserJet. Your printer may not allow the same top and/or bottom margin settings. If this is the case, you will receive the following message when you try to print one of the documents:

"The margins of section 1 are outside of the printable area of the page.".
Do you want to continue?

Select "Yes" to see if it prints without needing adjustments.

Some of the forms require nearly an entire page. You can change the top and bottom margins for your specific printer but keep in mind that both the top and bottom margins must total no more than one half inch. Any combination is acceptable (e.g. Top-0.2, Bottom=0.3; Top=0.1, Bottom=0.4; etc.).

In order to make the proper adjustments follow these steps:

1. Click on File.
2. Click Page Setup.
3, Change the Top and Bottom margins to 0.
4. Click on OK.

You will be given the following message:

One or more margins are set outside the printable area of the page.
Choose the Fix button to increase the appropriate margins.

5. Click on Fix. This will set the top and bottom margins to the minimum for your printer.
6. Adjust the margins to total one half inch for both top and bottom margins added together.
7. Click on OK.

PRINTING (Return to TOC)

Use the File Menu / Print function just as you would with any MSWord document. It was suggested at the beginning of this guide that you print the forms before you start to fill them out. You need to ascertain if your printer will accept the Page Setup margins that were used to create the document. If your form prints properly, you need not make any adjustments. If it does not, go to the Margins section and follow those instructions.

You have the option of selecting the entire document, your current page or selected pages when printing the report. Select the pages you wish to print which are given on the bottom left corner of your screen or highlight the page before selecting the OK to Print button.

PROTECTED FORMS (Return to TOC)

Warning: MS WordÔ does not by design save data you entered in a form field if you unprotect and protect or lock a form. We have included a macro with each template in the program that allows you to move back and forth from a protected and unprotected document if you so choose or need to do so and not lose your entered data. Before you try this, experiment with a new form or backup your work with a copy just in case the macro was not activated.

TO UNPROTECT A DOCUMENT:

1. Click on Tools
2. Select Unprotect Document.

TO PROTECT A DOCUMENT:

1. Click on Tools
2. Select Protect Document.
3. Enter Password if required. If prompted to Select Revisions, Annotations or Forms, Select Forms.
4. Enter Password if you desire.
5. Click on File/Save.

VIEWING FORMS & SCHEDULES (Return to TOC)

The files are saved with the Zoom setting at 80%. If you prefer to see the document at 100%, or any other Zoom setting, follow these steps:

1. Click on View and select Zoom
or click on the Zoom Control button on the Menu Toolbar
2. Adjust the Percent setting to your personal preference
3. Click on OK

 

Advisor Consultant Network, Inc.
600 Superior Ave., Suite 1300
Cleveland, OH 44114

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Copyright © 1995-2005 Advisor Consultant Network, Inc. - www.netacn.net
600 Superior Ave., Suite 1300  -  Cleveland, OH  44114
Phone: 216-522-1908  /  E-mail: info@netacn.net
June 08, 2005