The correct answer is B . An Approved Person cannot independently commence an outside activity without the sponsoring Investment Dealer being informed and approving the activity before it begins . IDPC Rule 2554 requires the Approved Person to inform the Dealer of the outside activity and obtain the Dealer's prior approval . CIRO guidance further requires Dealers to maintain robust pre-approval procedures, consider potential client confusion and conflicts of interest, implement effective controls and qualified supervision, and retain supporting records.

Thus, among the available choices, B accurately expresses the required advance Dealer authorization . The current IDPC rule itself uses the term “prior approval”; documented firm approval procedures give effect to this requirement. The CIRE syllabus specifically requires candidates to apply requirements governing activities outside an Investment Dealer, including conflict assessment, effective controls, supervision, due diligence for approvals and appropriate recordkeeping.

A is incorrect because monitoring and compliance supervision remain responsibilities of the Dealer rather than being left exclusively to the employee. C is not a requirement; an outside activity can be unrelated to securities business provided it satisfies regulatory and Dealer conditions. D is unrelated to whether an outside activity may be conducted.

Outside activities that create material conflicts that cannot be appropriately controlled in the client's best interest should not be permitted.

Study Guide Reference: CIRE Element 9.9 — Activities outside an Investment Dealer; IDPC Rule 2554.

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