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FINRA Reviews
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Full-timePart-timeApprove of CEO
Robert W. Cook
8 Ratings
Pros
"Work life balance unmatched in Finance" (in 96 reviews)
"Great Benefits for the employees" (in 45 reviews)
Cons
"Not enough room for advancement" (in 14 reviews)
"Work-life balance, stressful work that stays with you beyond the work place" (in 12 reviews)
Helpful (1)
![FINRA Logo]()
"Good place to work"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookNo opinion of CEOI worked at FINRA full-time (More than a year)
Pros
Interesting work, great hours, good benefits, fair pay.
Cons
Location in Rockville is not convenient to D.C.
Advice to Management
Keep up the good work.
FINRA 2018-05-22 16:20 PDT![FINRA Logo]()
"Principal Examiner"
StarStarStarStarStarI worked at FINRA full-time
Pros
Learning about various products and types of reviews
Cons
May not always get the opportunity to specialize in a particular product or review as expected to be a generalist
FINRA 2018-07-21 09:26 PDT![FINRA Logo]()
"It was good when i started in analytics - and then it rapidly went downhill when leaders start leaving for other opp."
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI worked at FINRA full-time (More than a year)
Pros
it’s all tilted towards life. You’ll have a good time here, and it takes forever to get fired if you aren’t working out. Just don’t sign up as a contractor if you can help it.
Cons
Growth. Or lack thereof. You’ll need to be in the club - if you’re not part of the in crowd, then it wont work. Bad managers are left behind while the good people leave, and the work becomes more about doing basic queries than true advanced analytics...
Advice to Management
Consolidate your analytic teams and have a deep look at why the best all leave.
FINRA 2018-07-30 19:44 PDTHelpful (2)
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"Counsel"
StarStarStarStarStarPros
Nice people and good benefit.
Cons
While the revenue dropped, senior management like CEO can still bring home over $1 minion bonus, while cut off the shuttle from metro to office in order to save $200k, which could make 40-50 employees commute easier. In a for profit company, should it possible for management receive over 100% bonus when revenue dropped?
Advice to Management
Find a way to lower the high turnover rate. Pay more for employees.
FINRA 2018-07-27 12:52 PDTHelpful (6)
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"Great place to work, but things have changed..."
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOI worked at FINRA full-time (More than 8 years)
Pros
Compensation is average, but benefits are outstanding.
Work hours are reasonable.Cons
Largely due to changes in the regulatory industry, revenues have significantly dropped.
Many Subject Matter Experts view many of the regulatory roles obsoleteFINRA 2018-06-27 12:57 PDTHelpful (4)
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"Great Company and Mission, Confusing Short-Term Plans"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNegative OutlookNo opinion of CEOI have been working at FINRA full-time (More than 5 years)
Pros
- Intelligent, dedicated people who are passionate about the company mission
- Understanding and decent middle management
- Flexible work arrangements and excellent work-life balance
- Good benefits (low deductible medical insurance, 401(k) match, good maternity leave, etc.)Cons
- Confusing growth potential; promotions are more based on time at company rather than merit or effort
- Continual discussion about cost-cuttingAdvice to Management
Senior management has been so focused on cost-cutting that it has actually removed water dispensers... Employee morale is low. Look into increasing revenues from products, exams, and other services, rather than driving away good talent from petty cost-cutting "initiatives."
FINRA 2018-06-29 16:12 PDTHelpful (2)
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"Look out below"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Negative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at FINRA full-time (More than 8 years)
Pros
Basic management has some really good smart people
Cons
Upper management (VP / SVP) does not listen to managers. Technology is the worst when it comes to figuring out what needs to be done. Managers come up with answers that senior management has no idea about. Company needs to have a big sit down with senior management. Get rid of 3/4 of VP & SVP. No need for them. Waste! Looking at the pictures of FINRA, in NY they show 1 picture of the building, 1 of what looks to be the lobby and 1 that looks at the outside of the building. In Rockville, you see people. Is DC still around? Company will probably get swallowed up by someone eventually since Senior management is milking the company of all the money. The bonus pool is a stupid idea since VP & SVP take all the money first. They should get the least since they do the least.
Advice to Management
Get real. knock off 3/4's of VP & SVP. Too many. Too many good employees are leaving or have been pushed out. The time is running out.
FINRA 2018-08-11 14:22 PDTHelpful (1)
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"Principal Examiner"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendPositive OutlookNo opinion of CEOI worked at FINRA full-time
Pros
Benefits, exposure to varied firms and business lines/models, experience with a regulator will increase job/career prospects
Cons
Poor management, training, and work environment. Unpredictable business travel. Lack of accountability with staff and management.
Advice to Management
Invest heavily in training. Hold staff accountable, set clear deadlines. Communicate with the staff. Promote those who are leaders and managers, as there is a difference.
FINRA 2018-08-07 14:04 PDTHelpful (3)
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"Falling Down the Charts..."
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at FINRA full-time (More than 10 years)
Pros
Flexible work arrangements — if you’re in the right department.
Passionate, committed staff.
Time off is NOT out of a combined PTO bucket.Cons
The culture has changed — and not for the better. I used to enjoy working here, but my enthusiasm is waning rapidly. Am now exploring other opportunities.
Limited opportunities for advancement.
Raises are minuscule, even with strong performance reviews.Advice to Management
Stop trying to make your mark by “fixing” problems that do not exist. Listen to your teams — don’t just pay lip service.
FINRA 2018-07-09 17:46 PDTHelpful (3)
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"Senior Examiner"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Negative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at FINRA full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
Co workers are great. Health coverage is good. They give you an ample amount of vacation time as well as sick days.
Cons
Revolving door. Management does not care if someone leaves, they just hire someone new to replace them. Once they hire you at a salary you are stuck at 0 to 1.5 percent raise a year. Everyone is looking to find a new career.
Advice to Management
Care enough to keep current employees happy.
FINRA 2018-07-01 19:03 PDT
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