Municipal Advisor Form (MA-I) Data Object Guide

Overview

Form MA-I is an SEC filing required for individuals who work as municipal advisors. Municipal advisors provide advice to state and local governments on bond issuances and other municipal financial products. The SEC requires registration of these individuals to protect municipalities from unqualified or unethical advisors.

The MunicipalAdvisorForm class in edgartools parses MA-I XML filings into structured Python objects, making it easy to extract applicant information, employment history, and critically, disclosure information about any regulatory or legal issues.

Access Pattern

from edgar import Filing

# Get an MA-I filing
filing = Filing(form="MA-I", ...)

# Parse into MunicipalAdvisorForm object
ma_form = filing.obj()

Core Data Structure

MunicipalAdvisorForm (Top-Level Object)

Property	Type	Description
`filing`	`Filing`	Reference to the original SEC filing
`filer`	`Filer`	CIK and CCC of the filing entity
`is_amendment`	`bool`	Whether this is an amendment (MA-I/A)
`is_individual`	`bool`	Whether applicant is an individual
`previous_accession_no`	`str`	Accession number of prior filing if amendment
`contact`	`Contact`	Filing contact information
`applicant`	`Applicant`	The individual applying for registration
`internet_notification_addresses`	`List[str]`	Email addresses for notifications
`municipal_advisor_offices`	`List[MunicipalAdvisorOffice]`	Firms where individual is employed
`employment_history`	`EmploymentHistory`	Current and previous employment
`disclosures`	`Disclosures`	All disclosure questions and answers
`signature`	`Signature`	Filing signature

Applicant Information

Applicant

The individual seeking municipal advisor registration.

Property	Type	Description	UI Usage
`name`	`Name`	Full legal name	Primary display
`other_names`	`List[Name]`	Aliases, maiden names, etc.	Name history
`crd`	`str`	FINRA CRD number	BrokerCheck link
`number_of_advisory_firms`	`int`	Count of associated MA firms	Employment scope
`full_name`	`str` (property)	Concatenated full name	Display convenience

Name

Property	Type	Description
`first_name`	`str`	First name
`middle_name`	`str`	Middle name
`last_name`	`str`	Last name
`suffix`	`str`	Name suffix (Jr., III, etc.)
`full_name`	`str` (property)	Complete formatted name

Contact

Filing contact person (may differ from applicant).

Property	Type	Description
`name`	`str`	Contact person name
`phone`	`str`	Phone number
`email`	`str`	Email address

Filer

Property	Type	Description
`cik`	`str`	SEC Central Index Key
`ccc`	`str`	EDGAR Filer ID confirmation code

Municipal Advisor Offices

MunicipalAdvisorOffice

Firms where the individual works as a municipal advisor.

Property	Type	Description	UI Usage
`cik`	`str`	Firm's SEC CIK	Link to firm filings
`firm_name`	`str`	Legal name of MA firm	Firm display
`is_independent_relationship`	`bool`	Independent contractor flag	Employment type badge
`recent_employment_commenced_date`	`str`	When employment started	Employment timeline
`file_number`	`str`	SEC registration file number	Registration link
`offices`	`List[Office]`	Physical office locations	Location display

Office

Physical office locations where the individual works.

Property	Type	Description
`start_date`	`str`	When work at this location began
`location_info`	`str`	Additional location details
`address`	`Address`	Full address
`street1`	`str` (property)	Street address line 1
`street2`	`str` (property)	Street address line 2
`city`	`str` (property)	City
`state_or_country`	`str` (property)	State/country code
`zipcode`	`str` (property)	Postal code

Employment History

EmploymentHistory

Complete work history relevant to municipal advisory activities.

Property	Type	Description
`current_employer`	`Employer`	Current employment
`previous_employers`	`List[Employer]`	Past 10 years of employment

Employer

Property	Type	Description	UI Usage
`name`	`str`	Employer name	Company display
`start_date`	`str`	Employment start (formatted as "Jun 2015")	Timeline
`end_date`	`str`	Employment end (None if current)	Timeline
`ma_related`	`bool`	Municipal advisor related work	MA badge
`investment_related`	`bool`	Investment related work	Investment badge
`position`	`str`	Job title/position	Role display
`address`	`Address`	Employer location	Location context

Disclosures (Critical Section)

The disclosures section is the most important part of MA-I filings for due diligence. It contains yes/no answers to extensive questions about the applicant's regulatory, legal, and financial history.

Disclosures (Container)

Property	Type	Description
`criminal_disclosure`	`CriminalDisclosure`	Criminal history questions
`regulatory_disclosure`	`RegulatoryDisclosure`	SEC/CFTC regulatory history
`civil_disclosure`	`CivilDisclosure`	Civil court proceedings
`complaint_disclosure`	`ComplaintDisclosure`	Customer complaints
`termination_disclosure`	`TerminationDisclosure`	Employment terminations
`financial_disclosure`	`FinancialDisclosure`	Bankruptcy/financial issues
`judgement_lien_disclosure`	`JudgementLienDisclosure`	Judgments and liens
`investigation_disclosure`	`InvestigationDisclosure`	Ongoing investigations
`any()`	method	Returns `True` if ANY disclosure is positive

CriminalDisclosure

Criminal history questions.

Property	Type	Description	Red Flag Level
`is_convicted_of_felony`	`bool`	Felony conviction	Critical
`is_charged_with_felony`	`bool`	Pending felony charges	Critical
`is_org_convicted_of_felony`	`bool`	Caused org felony conviction	High
`is_org_charged_with_felony`	`bool`	Caused org felony charges	High
`is_convicted_of_misdemeanor`	`bool`	Misdemeanor conviction (investment-related)	Medium
`is_charged_with_misdemeanor`	`bool`	Pending misdemeanor charges	Medium
`is_org_convicted_of_misdemeanor`	`bool`	Caused org misdemeanor conviction	Medium
`is_org_charged_with_misdemeanor`	`bool`	Caused org misdemeanor charges	Medium
`any()`	method	Returns `True` if any criminal disclosure	-

RegulatoryDisclosure

SEC, CFTC, and other regulatory agency actions.

Property	Type	Description	Red Flag Level
`is_made_false_statement`	`bool`	Made false statement to regulator	Critical
`is_violated_regulation`	`bool`	Violated SEC/CFTC regulation	High
`is_cause_of_denial`	`bool`	Caused denial of registration	High
`is_order_against`	`bool`	Order entered against individual	High
`is_imposed_penalty`	`bool`	Penalty imposed	High
`is_un_ethical`	`bool`	Found dishonest or unethical	Critical
`is_found_in_violation_of_regulation`	`bool`	Found in violation	High
`is_found_in_cause_of_denial`	`bool`	Found to cause denial	High
`is_order_against_activity`	`bool`	Order against activities	High
`is_denied_license`	`bool`	License denied/suspended/revoked	Critical
`is_found_made_false_statement`	`bool`	Found to have made false statement	Critical
`is_found_in_violation_of_rules`	`bool`	Found in violation of rules	High
`is_found_in_cause_of_suspension`	`bool`	Caused suspension	High
`is_discipliend`	`bool`	Disciplined (expelled/barred)	Critical
`is_authorized_to_act_attorney`	`bool`	Attorney authorization suspended	Medium
`is_regulatory_complaint`	`bool`	Regulatory complaint pending	Medium
`is_violated_security_act`	`bool`	Violated Securities Act	Critical
`is_will_fully_aided`	`bool`	Willfully aided violation	Critical
`is_failed_to_supervise`	`bool`	Failed to supervise	High
`is_found_will_fully_aided`	`bool`	Found to willfully aid violation	Critical
`is_association_bared`	`bool`	Barred from association	Critical
`is_final_order`	`bool`	Final order entered against	High
`is_will_fully_violated_security_act`	`bool`	Willfully violated Securities Act	Critical
`is_failed_resonably`	`bool`	Failed reasonably to supervise	High
`any()`	method	Returns `True` if any regulatory disclosure	-

CivilDisclosure

Civil court proceedings.

Property	Type	Description	Red Flag Level
`is_enjoined`	`bool`	Enjoined in connection with MA business	High
`is_found_violation_of_regulation`	`bool`	Court found violation	High
`is_dismissed`	`bool`	Civil action dismissed with settlement	Medium
`is_named_in_civil_proceeding`	`bool`	Currently named in civil proceeding	Medium
`any()`	method	Returns `True` if any civil disclosure	-

ComplaintDisclosure

Customer and regulatory complaints.

Property	Type	Description	Red Flag Level
`is_complaint_pending`	`bool`	MA-related complaint pending	Medium
`is_complaint_settled`	`bool`	MA-related complaint settled	Low
`is_fraud_case_pending`	`bool`	Fraud case pending	High
`is_fraud_case_resulting_award`	`bool`	Fraud case resulted in award	High
`is_fraud_case_settled`	`bool`	Fraud case settled	Medium
`any()`	method	Returns `True` if any complaint disclosure	-

TerminationDisclosure

Employment terminations under adverse circumstances.

Property	Type	Description	Red Flag Level
`is_violated_industry_standards`	`bool`	Terminated for violating standards	High
`is_involved_in_fraud`	`bool`	Terminated for fraud involvement	Critical
`is_failed_to_supervise`	`bool`	Terminated for supervision failure	High
`any()`	method	Returns `True` if any termination disclosure	-

FinancialDisclosure

Financial problems within past 10 years.

Property	Type	Description	Red Flag Level
`is_compromised`	`bool`	Made compromise with creditors	Medium
`is_bankruptcy_petition`	`bool`	Organization filed bankruptcy	Medium
`is_trustee_appointed`	`bool`	Trustee appointed for organization	Medium
`is_bond_revoked`	`bool`	Bonding company denied/revoked bond	High
`any()`	method	Returns `True` if any financial disclosure	-

JudgementLienDisclosure

Property	Type	Description	Red Flag Level
`is_lien_against`	`bool`	Currently has judgment liens	Medium
`any()`	method	Returns `True` if any lien disclosure	-

InvestigationDisclosure

Property	Type	Description	Red Flag Level
`is_investigated`	`bool`	Currently under investigation	High

Signature

Property	Type	Description
`signature`	`str`	Signature text
`date_signed`	`str`	Date of signature
`title`	`str`	Signer's title

UI Component Recommendations

Applicant Summary Card

Full name prominently displayed
CRD number (link to FINRA BrokerCheck)
Number of advisory firms
Amendment status badge
Other names (expandable)

Disclosure Summary Panel (Critical)

This is the most important UI element for due diligence.

Display a traffic-light style indicator: - Green: No disclosures (disclosures.any() == False) - Red: Has disclosures (disclosures.any() == True)

If disclosures exist, show breakdown by category: - Criminal (red if any) - Regulatory (red if any) - Civil (yellow if any) - Complaints (yellow if any) - Terminations (orange if any) - Financial (yellow if any) - Liens (yellow if any) - Under Investigation (red if true)

Employment History Timeline

Visual timeline showing employment progression
Badges for "MA Related" and "Investment Related" work
Current employer highlighted
Employer names and positions

Municipal Advisor Firm Details

Firm name and CIK
SEC file number (link to SEC)
Independent contractor badge
Office locations (expandable)

Disclosure Detail Panels

For each disclosure category, show individual questions with Yes/No answers: - Group by severity (Critical, High, Medium, Low) - Highlight any "Yes" answers prominently - Provide context/explanation for each question

Common Queries and Filters

For SAAS features, consider enabling filters by:

Clean Record - Filter where disclosures.any() == False
Has Disclosures - Filter where disclosures.any() == True
Criminal Issues - Filter by criminal_disclosure.any()
Regulatory Issues - Filter by regulatory_disclosure.any()
Under Investigation - Filter by investigation_disclosure.is_investigated
MA Firm - Filter by municipal_advisor_offices[].firm_name
State - Filter by office state
Amendment vs New - Filter by is_amendment

Due Diligence Use Cases

Red Flag Detection

# Check for any disclosures
if ma_form.disclosures.any():
    print("WARNING: Applicant has disclosures")

# Check specific high-severity items
if ma_form.disclosures.criminal_disclosure.is_convicted_of_felony:
    print("CRITICAL: Felony conviction")

if ma_form.disclosures.regulatory_disclosure.is_association_bared:
    print("CRITICAL: Barred from association")

Employment Verification

# Get current employer
current = ma_form.employment_history.current_employer
print(f"Currently at: {current.name} as {current.position}")

# Check MA experience
for employer in ma_form.employment_history.previous_employers:
    if employer.ma_related:
        print(f"MA experience at: {employer.name}")

Firm Association

# List all MA firms
for office in ma_form.municipal_advisor_offices:
    print(f"Firm: {office.firm_name}")
    print(f"  CIK: {office.cik}")
    print(f"  File #: {office.file_number}")
    print(f"  Independent: {office.is_independent_relationship}")

Data Quality Notes

Disclosure answers - All stored as booleans; True indicates a positive disclosure
Employment dates - Formatted as "Mon YYYY" (e.g., "Jun 2015")
CRD numbers - May be empty for new registrants
Other names - May include maiden names, aliases, prior legal names
Multiple offices - An individual may work at multiple MA firm offices

Example Data Access

# Get filing and parse
ma_form = filing.obj()

# Access applicant info
print(ma_form.applicant.full_name)
print(f"CRD: {ma_form.applicant.crd}")

# Check for disclosures (most important!)
if ma_form.disclosures.any():
    print("Has disclosures - review required")

    # Check specific categories
    if ma_form.disclosures.criminal_disclosure.any():
        print("  - Criminal disclosures present")
    if ma_form.disclosures.regulatory_disclosure.any():
        print("  - Regulatory disclosures present")
else:
    print("Clean record - no disclosures")

# Employment history
print(f"Current employer: {ma_form.employment_history.current_employer.name}")
for emp in ma_form.employment_history.previous_employers:
    print(f"  Previous: {emp.name} ({emp.start_date} - {emp.end_date})")

# MA firm associations
for office in ma_form.municipal_advisor_offices:
    print(f"Associated with: {office.firm_name}")

# Signature verification
print(f"Signed by: {ma_form.signature.signature} on {ma_form.signature.date_signed}")

Form Variants

The MunicipalAdvisorForm class handles these form types:

Form	Description
`MA-I`	Individual municipal advisor initial registration
`MA-I/A`	Amendment to individual registration
`MA`	Firm municipal advisor registration
`MA/A`	Amendment to firm registration

Check filing.form or is_amendment to determine the filing type.