Transforming fund administration

Navigating today’s fund administration landscape requires a highly sophisticated and comprehensive solution that provides both core capabilities and specialty additions based on the specific needs of each fund.

Leading fund services providers like RSM differentiate themselves by excelling at foundational fund administration functions—fund accounting, investor reporting, tax compliance and advisory, technical advisory and advanced data analytics. They also offer strategic add-ons, such as valuation, environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) advising, and information technology (IT) management, which have been historical hallmarks of RSM's consulting practice. Investment firms with access to this full array of services can create a holistic solution that transforms the back office from a scattered cost center to a centralized hub of operational alpha.

As you look for a best-in-class fund services provider that will provide this full array of services, prioritize the following:

Finding a fund services provider that adds value with industry experience is essential to addressing operational challenges. A knowledgeable administrative advisor proactively offers guidance and capabilities that range from transactional to strategic. This advice includes engagement on industry best practices, pending Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, tax considerations and IRS rule changes, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) issues, and limited partner reporting trends.

Why RSM

RSM has established client relationships with more than 2,200 private equity funds. With multiple former chief operating officers (COOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) on staff, RSM brings the professional perspectives of administrators, auditors, tax providers and wide-ranging knowledgeable industry professionals to every discussion and recommendation. The result is a fund services relationship that adds to your organization.

Most investment firms focus on adding new funds or expanding into new verticals. Their goal is to cultivate resources integral to growth. As you evaluate fund management solutions, consider the providers’ ability to scale up or down to match your firm’s current and future investment strategy and your resulting operational footprint. The ability to scale ensures that you can quickly facilitate an expansion or right-size operations if your firm ever needs to reprioritize.

Why RSM

RSM combines experience, talent and technology so your firm can access the administrative resources and capabilities that serve your current needs and fuel future growth objectives. This experience ensures you have the resources and extensive knowledge to bolster growth and pursue new business opportunities. 

Firms need immediate access to adept guidance and industry best practices to make informed, effective decisions. Finding answers and obtaining relevant, professional advice in real time is paramount to staying competitive and taking quick action. As you search for a fund administration provider, finding one with a proven client-centric approach is nonnegotiable. Seek an advisor that provides access to information when you need it most and helps you avoid operational issues so they don’t become problems. 

Why RSM

RSM provides a single, senior-level point of contact and a high-touch service model customized to each client’s needs. This strategic relationship ensures you have an experienced COO and a fully integrated and scalable back/middle office at your immediate service. The single-point-of-contact model also facilitates organic and instant connectivity to other lines of business, allowing teams to build strategic relationships and provide in-depth insights on the fly.

Funds need a technology platform that enables access to all key data, including general ledger data, investment attributes, and investor information and preferences, as well as data analytics and tax modeling scenarios. Best-in-class fund management solutions allow for a single source of data truth, seamless connectivity and operational agility. Once data is in the system, you can easily repurpose it across the platform. Fewer human touch points enable better data governance. Today’s technology also allows customizable investor reporting portals formatted to align with client branding. This flexibility creates an “institutional-grade” environment for limited relationships.

Why RSM

RSM provides a single, senior-level point of contact and a high-touch service model customized to each client’s needs. This strategic relationship ensures you have an experienced COO and a fully integrated and scalable back/middle office at your immediate service. The single-point-of-contact model also facilitates organic and instant connectivity to other lines of business, allowing teams to build strategic relationships and provide in-depth insights on the fly. 

Investments made by private funds are complex activities that demand tax specialists with industry-specific knowledge and experience. Leveraging such knowledgeable professionals results in efficient strategies for reducing tax obligations and meeting tax deadlines. As you consider a fund administration provider, prioritize those with tax teams that are a core part of their business and not simply an add-on. Look for tax groups that have specific private fund experience in addition to knowledge of current regulations, jurisdictional tax differences and updated training.

Why RSM

Since its inception, RSM has prioritized tax services as part of its core business. What’s more, RSM tax professionals have extensive experience supporting alternative asset managers, specifically private equity and real estate investment firms. The combination of extensive knowledge and scale means that RSM offers high-quality tax solutions that will serve your firm today and support future opportunities.

Every fund is unique and requires a different management solution. When considering a third-party provider, look for a fund administrator who offers more than the basics along with the flexibility to mix and match services. Just as important, every service offering should be equal in quality and supported by the right level of skilled talent.

Why RSM

In addition to our foundational administration competencies, RSM has robust capabilities to serve the specialized needs of your fund. Our unmatched depth and breadth of services can be bundled to customize a fund administration solution that can grow with your business. Moreover, every bundled solution is powered by experienced industry advisors leveraging sophisticated technology to deliver operational alpha.

Choose from an array of strategic add-ons such as valuation services, transaction advisory (buy- and sell-side), outsourced back office for management and portfolio companies, equity management plans, financial planning and analysis, transaction advisory, ESG reporting and advisory, managed IT/cybersecurity and advanced data analytics. With a tailor-made solution supported by a credible third party, you can enjoy the freedom to focus on strategy, investors and growth.