According to FINRA, Robert Wylie Goff was assessed a deferred fine of $5,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member firm in all capacities for one month, effective February 2 through March 1, 2026, for exercising unauthorized discretion in customer accounts without written authorization and for falsely certifying in an annual compliance questionnaire that he had not done so.FINRA found that Goff effected 46 trades in 12 different customer accounts without first speaking with the customers on the date of each transaction before executing the trades. The customers understood that Goff was exercising discretion in their accounts—but neither the customers nor the firm had provided the written authorization required under FINRA rules for a registered representative to exercise discretionary trading authority. Goff's exercise of discretion went beyond permissible time-and-price discretion: he made decisions about which specific securities to purchase or sell, and in what amounts, without obtaining prior customer approval for each transaction.Discretionary trading authority is a significant responsibility. FINRA Rule 4512 and related rules require that discretionary account authority be evidenced in writing by the customer and that the firm formally accept the account as discretionary before any such trading can occur. These requirements exist to protect investors from unauthorized trading in their accounts and to ensure that customers retain meaningful control over their investment decisions.Compounding the violation, Goff falsely stated in his annual compliance questionnaire submitted to his member firm that he had not exercised discretion in customer accounts. False compliance certifications undermine the firm's ability to identify and address violations through its supervisory program.For investors, this case is a reminder that discretionary trading authority over your account must be explicitly authorized in writing—both by you and by your firm. If you discover that your broker has been making trades in your account without your prior approval, report this immediately to the firm's compliance department and to FINRA. Regularly reviewing your account statements for unexpected transactions is one of the most effective ways to detect unauthorized trading.