An individual or organization accepting orders to buy or sell futures or futures options. A person or organization in this role needs to be certified by the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission. A futures commission merchant has a role in the futures market similar to that of a broker in the securities market. In addition to accepting buy or sell orders, the futures commission merchant can also hold their client's money or securities in margin accounts in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which they are trading. The work of a futures commission merchant may also occasionally be carried out by a full service broker.