# FORWARD SECURITIES, LLC X-17A-5 (2021-02-22) — Broker-dealer annual report - Company: FORWARD SECURITIES, LLC - Form: X-17A-5 - Filed: 2021-02-22 - Period: 2020-12-31 - Accession: 0001460984-21-000001 - CIK: 1460984 - File #: 8-68216 - Material weakness: No - Auditor: Weaver and Tidwell LLP - Auditor location: Houston, TX - Contact: Laura Lang - Phone: 310-441-2300 - Website: nationalnotary.org - Signed by: Laura Lang (Chief Financial Officer) Original filing: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1460984/000146098421000001/fspub2020.pdf --- {0}------------------------------------------------ # **Forward Securities, LLC** **Statement of Financial Condition and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm December 31, 2020** **(This report is deemed public in accordance with rule 17a-5 (e)(3))** {1}------------------------------------------------ **UNITEDSTATES SECURITIESANDEXCHANGECOMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549** # **ANNUAL AUDITED REPORT FORM X-17A-5 PART III** | Estimated average burden | | |--------------------------|-----------------------------| | | hours per response
12.00 | | | | | | SEC FILE NUMBER | | | | October 31,2023 3235-0123 **8** 68216 - OMB APPROVAL OMB Number: Expires: **FACING PAGE** **Information Required of Brokers and Dealers Pursuant to Section 17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 17a-5 Thereunder** 01**/**01/20 12/31/20 REPORT FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING AND ENDING MM/DD/YY MM/DD/YY FIRM I.D. NO. # **A. REGISTRANT IDENTIFICATION** NAME OF BROKER-DEALER: Forward Securities, LLC OFFICIAL USE ONLY ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: (Do not use P.O. Box No.) 244 California Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA. 94111 (No. and Street) NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PERSON TO CONTACT IN REGARD TO THIS REPORT Laura Lang 310-441-2300 (Area Code -Telephone Number) # **B. ACCOUNTANT IDENTIFICATION** INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT whose opinion is contained in this Report\* Weaver and Tidwell, LLP | (Name -if
individual, state last, first, middle name) | | | | | | | |----------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|---------|------------|--|--|--| | 24
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-T | | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------| | Document Date: | Number of Pages: | | Signer(s) Other Than Named Above:_ | | | © 2013 National Notary Association •www.NationalNotary.org •1-800-US NOTARY (1-800-876-6827) | Item #5910 | {4}------------------------------------------------ ![](_page_4_Picture_0.jpeg) # **Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm** To the Member of Forward Securities, LLC # **Opinion on the Financial Statement** We have audited the accompanying statement of financial condition of Forward Securities, LLC (the Company) as of December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statement). In our opinion, the financial statement presents fairly in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. ## **Basis for Opinion** This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statement, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement. We believe that our audit of the financial statement provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. *hjj2£A&\ }* WEAVER AND TIDWELL, L.L.P. We have served as the Company's auditor since 2015. Houston, Texas February 22, 2021 {5}------------------------------------------------ # **Forward Securities, LLC Statement of Financial Condition December 31, 2020** | Assets | | |------------------------------------------|------------| | Cash and cash equivalents | \$ 244,787 | | Accounts receivable | 68,242 | | Prepaid expenses | 18,841 | | Total assets | \$ 331,870 | | Liabilities and Member's Equity | | | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | \$ 170,274 | | Payable to affiliates | 2,348 | | Total liabilities | 172,622 | | Contributions, net | 2,190,000 | | Accumulated deficit | | | Total member's equity | 159,248 | | Total liabilities and member's equity | \$ 331,870 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statement. {6}------------------------------------------------ # **1. Organization** Forward Securities, LLC (the "Company") was organized on August 11, 2006 under the laws of Delaware. The Company is registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA"). The Company is wholly owned by Forward Management, LLC ("FM"), a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission. FM acts as investment advisor and provides other business-related services to Forward Funds, a Delaware statutory trust, (the "Funds") and other investment products. The Funds are an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company was approved by FINRA to operate as a limited purpose broker-dealer that does not engage in proprietary trading, market-making, exchange floor activity, securities clearing or underwriting. The Company's sole function is to market and distribute the Funds throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Guam. Since April 15, 2012, the Company operates as the Funds' principal distributor. The Company has entered into distribution agreements with other brokers for the purpose of distributing the Funds' shares. The Company does not carry customer accounts and does not otherwise hold funds or securities for, or owe money or securities to, customers and, accordingly, claims exemption from Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") under paragraph (k)(1) of that Rule. # *Liquidity* At December 31, 2020, the Company had an accumulated net deficit of \$2,030,752. During the year, FM provided cash funding via periodic capital contributions. The Company expects this net deficit to increase in the foreseeable future and will rely on FM for additional capital contributions to maintain the operations of the Company. # **2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies** # *Basis of Presentation* These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America using the accrual method of accounting. # *Use of Estimates* The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company's management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statement. Actual results could differ from those estimates. ## *Cash and Cash Equivalents* Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and money market accounts. The Company's cash and cash equivalents are on deposit with major U.S. banking institutions. These balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to \$250,000 per institution. The Company periodically assesses the financial condition of these institutions and assesses credit risk. {7}------------------------------------------------ #### *Accounts Receivable* The Company's receivables arise primarily from 12b-1 distribution fees due from the Funds. These receivables are generally due and collected within 30 days. The Company does not require collateral. The need for an allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management's assessment of the collectability of specific accounts, the aging of the receivable, historical experience, and other currently available evidence. If actual defaults are higher than the historical experience, management's estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to the Company could be adversely affected. As of December 31, 2020, no allowance has been recorded. ## *Fair Value Measurements* The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, which are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature. #### *Income Taxes* For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not recognize any tax liability for unrecognized tax benefits in connection with Financial Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") ASU 2019-12 Income Taxes (Topic 740), "*Income Taxes*", as it relates to uncertain tax positions. A reconciliation is not provided herein, as the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized benefits are zero, with no interim additions, reductions, or settlements. As a limited liability company, the Company is not subject to income taxes. Tax liabilities are instead paid by FM. Income and losses are included in FM's tax return. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes is included in the accompanying financial statement. As a pass-through entity for tax purposes, the Company has minimal exposure to uncertain tax positions, limited to whether the Company is taxable in a particular jurisdiction. FM's management has evaluated the Company's exposure and has determined there are no uncertain tax positions where the Company's liability is probable and reasonably estimable, and therefore, no liabilities have been accrued at December 31, 2020. # *Member's Equity and Limited Liability Company Agreement* The Company's operating agreement sets forth the respective rights and obligations of FM and provides for terms of its management and conduct of its affairs. The Company's Management Board is responsible for the management affairs of the Company. #### *Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements* Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. Under the provisions of ASC 326, the allowance for accounts receivable is based on the expected credit loss over the entire life of the financial asset. An allowance for credit loss is based on the Company's expectation of the collectability of financial instruments carried at amortized cost. The Company's expectation is that credit risk is not significant until receivables are more than 90 days past due. Based on historical losses and the short-term nature of the Company's accounts receivable, management has determined that no allowance is necessary at December 31, 2020 and the adoption of ASC 326 did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statement. # **3. Related Parties** The ESA entered into with FM requires FM to provide certain administrative and other services to the Company for a monthly fee determined annually. The Company does not have its own {8}------------------------------------------------ employees. Periodically, the Company and FM review the monthly fee calculation to ensure the fee is commensurate with the level of services provided, including time worked by allocated FM employees. During 2012, the Company entered into a Shareholder Servicing Agreement ("SSA") and an Unencumbered 12b-1 Agreement ("12b-1 Agreement") with FM whereby, FM performs certain services for the Funds. Under the SSA, the fee paid to FM shall not exceed on an annual basis 0.10% on certain Institutional Class shares of the Funds. Under the 12b-1 Agreement, the excess 12b-1 payments not otherwise paid to third parties will be paid to FM for eligible 12b-1 expenses. Underwriting concessions received by the Company are periodically reimbursed to FM as all distribution-related expenditures are incurred by FM. Affiliate payables and receivables represents administrative service fees, unencumbered 12b-1, underwriting concessions, collected contingent deferred sales charges, and any expenses to be reimbursed or refunds to be received by the Company from FM or Salient Partners, L.P. The fees and expenses may not represent the actual cost and expenses incurred by the Company if operated on a stand-alone basis. As of December 31, 2020, the total payable to affiliates was \$2,348. #### **4. Receivable from and Payable to Intermediary Broker-Dealers and FM** Amounts receivable from and payable to intermediary broker-dealers and FM as it relates to the distribution agreements are detailed in the below table: | | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |------------------|-------------------|-------------------| | Receivables from | \$68,242 | \$100,363 | | Payables to | \$67,130 | \$94,335 | #### **5. Regulatory Requirements** The Company, as a broker-dealer registered with the SEC, is subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1. This Rule requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. The minimum net capital requirement is the greater of \$5,000 or 62/3% of aggregate indebtedness. Additionally, member's equity may not be withdrawn, or cash dividends paid, if the resulting net capital would be less than 120%. As of December 31, 2020, the Company's net capital was \$139,295, which was \$127,787 above its minimum requirement of \$11,508. The ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 123.93%. The Company claims exemption from the provisions of Rule 15c3-3 under the Act in that the Company's activities are limited to those set forth in the conditions for exemption in accordance with paragraph (k)(1) of that rule. #### **6. Subordinated Debt Obligations** During the year ended December 31, 2020, there were no liabilities subordinated to the claims of general creditors. Accordingly, a statement of changes in liabilities subordinated to claims of general creditors has not been included in this financial statement. {9}------------------------------------------------ #### **7. Subsequent Events** The Company has evaluated subsequent events through February 22, 2021, the date the financial statement was available to be issued and determined that no events have occurred after December 31, 2020 that would require additional disclosure. Source: SEC EDGAR via Adviser Search (https://search.stillhousedata.com). Agents: see https://search.stillhousedata.com/llms.txt.