RIAs are certainly in the cross-hairs of the SEC.  The SEC recently sanctioned a RIA for misrepresenting its use of performance models that were actually hypotheticals relating to backtested performance.

The SEC alleged that the RIA played with certain computer software models providing a false impression of performance over various time periods.  The SEC claimed these models did not exist during these time periods, but were back-tested hypotheticals.  The SEC accused the RIA of violating the anti-fraud and compliance rules since the RIA was also the Chief Compliance Officer, and had no policies or procedures in place to prevent such a scheme.  The RIA had to pay a six-figure fine, and retain an outside consultant.

Accordingly, RIAs need to have effective compliance programs to monitor these types of hypothetical models.