Series 99 Broker-Dealer Operations Guide

Review account workflow, cashiering, custody, reporting, margin, settlement, confirmations, financial controls, and records tested on Series 99.

The first Series 99 chapter carries most of the exam because the Operations Professional role is built around workflow accuracy and control. FINRA expects candidates to understand what happens to a customer account after it is opened, how funds and securities move, how trades and corrections are processed, how statements and confirmations are produced, and how the firm’s books, records, and financial controls support that activity.

The best way to study this chapter is as a connected operating chain. Start with account opening and maintenance, then move to money movement, custody, and trade processing. Finish with statements, financial reporting, and records so the control framework remains tied to the customer workflow it is supposed to support.

What this chapter should help you do

Exam skillWhat to practice
onboarding and maintenanceconnect required account data, documentation, approvals, and updates
cashiering and transferstrack funds and securities movement without losing the required control
custody and settlementidentify possession, control, fail, buy-in, segregation, and reconciliation issues
confirmations and statementsunderstand what customer-facing records must show
financial control and reportingconnect operations data to books, records, ledgers, and regulatory reports

The strongest Series 99 answers usually locate the issue in the workflow first, then choose the control, record, or escalation step.

In this section

  • Account Opening and Maintenance
    Understand account types, registrations, CIP, KYC, approvals, disclosures, and maintenance controls tested on Series 99.
  • Cashiering and Account Transfers
    Learn fund-movement methods, account-transfer workflow, check handling, and prohibited cashiering practices tested on Series 99.
  • Custody and Control of Securities
    Review safekeeping, segregation, good delivery, DRS, restricted legends, and securities handling controls tested on Series 99.
  • Trade Reporting and Corrections
    Understand reporting systems, corrections, error accounts, and prohibited trading-related practices tested on Series 99.
  • Margin and Securities Lending
    Study margin basics, stock loan, locating and borrowing securities, and day-trading controls tested on Series 99.
  • Settlement
    Learn trade comparison, CNS, buy-ins, DK notices, close-outs, and settlement workflow tested on Series 99.
  • Account Statements and Confirmations
    Review statement content, confirmations, tax reporting, and prohibited document-handling practices tested on Series 99.
  • Financial Requirements and Reports
    Understand FINOP responsibilities, FOCUS reporting, general ledger controls, and net capital concepts tested on Series 99.
  • Books and Records
    Review reconciliations, posting timelines, retention, and prohibited recordkeeping practices tested on Series 99.
Revised on Friday, May 29, 2026