SEC Announces Fiscal Year 2027 Examination Priorities

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the Division of Examinations’ Fiscal Year 2027 examination priorities. The annual report identifies key areas of focus as the Division carries out its mission to promote compliance, prevent fraud, identify and monitor risk, and inform Commission policy. 

The priorities were developed in coordination with divisions and offices across the SEC and reflect examination observations, market developments, investor concerns, industry engagement, and emerging trends affecting the U.S. capital markets. They highlight areas that the Division believes currently present heightened risks to investors or market integrity and will help guide its risk-based program during the fiscal year. 

In addition, the Division is working to be more accessible to registrants on how they receive examination observations and engage with staff through the examination process. It is also strengthening its integration process with SEC policymaking divisions and offices, as well as fellow regulators, to promote consistency in the application of the federal securities laws. 

“Examinations are one of the Commission’s most important tools for promoting compliance with the federal securities laws and helping protect investors,” said SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins. “Examinations provide critical insight into emerging risks, evolving business practices, and market developments across our financial system. Through a rigorous and analytically-driven program, the Division helps strengthen compliance, support the integrity and resilience of American capital markets, and reinforce investor confidence.”

The FY 2027 priorities emphasize a broad range of examination activities across the Division’s more than 34,000 registrants, including investment advisers, investment companies, broker-dealers, self-regulatory organizations, clearing agencies, municipal advisors, transfer agents, funding portals, security-based swap entities, and others.