Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

FINRA Suspends Financial Advisor for Outsourcing Continuing Education Requirements

Posted on August 13th, 2025 at 1:50 PM
FINRA Suspends Financial Advisor for Outsourcing Continuing Education Requirements

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended advisor Francis G. Smith for one month and fined him $5,000 after finding he had someone else complete required continuing education (CE) coursework on his behalf.

According to a FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC), Smith allegedly directed another individual to complete 18 hours of New York state insurance CE credits for him in February 2023. He then certified to the state that he had personally completed the coursework, which was necessary to maintain his insurance license.

According to AdvisorHub, FINRA cited Smith for violating Rule 2010, which requires brokers to uphold high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Smith accepted the sanctions without admitting or denying the findings.

Smith’s conduct mirrors a broader pattern of enforcement by FINRA. The regulator recently sanctioned dozens of advisors for similar violations tied to outsourcing CE requirements, often issuing identical penalties of a $5,000 fine and a one-month suspension. As reported by AdvisorHub, those cases typically trace back to CE courses mandated by the State of New York.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1780415363 Law
June 2, 2026
SEC Charges California Trader in Alleged $43 Million Ponzi-Like Scheme

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a civil action against a California day trader accused of operating a $43 million Ponzi-like scheme that allegedly defrauded more than 400 investors.

1780328948 Law
June 1, 2026
Massachusetts Regulators Fine Fidelity $1.25 Million Over Data Breach Allegations

Massachusetts regulators has fined Fidelity Brokerage Services $1.25 million over allegations that the firm failed to adequately protect customer information and properly notify all affected individuals following a significant data breach.

1780079651 Law
May 29, 2026
SEC Investigating Fraud Allegations in Private Credit Industry

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) actively is investigating allegations of fraud involving private credit firms, signaling continued regulatory scrutiny of the rapidly expanding sector.