What is the meaning of Compliance?

Compliance is the area or the process which has responsibility for firm and employee adherence to the rules and regulations which govern the broker/dealer business. This includes but is not limited to The Powers and Authorities for the firm's position taking and trading limits, guidelines indicated in the employee compliance handbook, registrations, continuing education, sales literature, and employee trading activities. Generally, compliance functions are partitioned between registrations and other rules and guidelines. Non-selling employees are usually in compliance to avoid conflicts-of-interest. However, there are exemptions for very small organizations.