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Investment Performance Is a Data Management Challenge

Investment Performance transformation projects are notoriously difficult. Why? Investment Performance is, at its core, an enterprise data function in disguise. Its role in enterprise data management is so prevalent that the maturity with which a firm’s Investment Performance function manages this data functions is typically a bellwether for the operational efficiency of the firm generally. Performance and analytics, done well, consume an astounding array of internal, external sources and often a combination of the two. In addition, you’ll be hard pressed to find any department in the firm that doesn’t want to consume its outputs and scrutinize its conclusions. Investment Performance transformations are difficult because they necessarily require evolution for the firm’s enterprise data assets and can impact nearly every department.

by Laurie Hesketh, CIPM, PMP

Reduce Risk and Enable Scalability in Derivatives Processing by Modernizing Processes and Technology

The accumulation of temporary workarounds in back and middle office operations can pose significant risks to firms. As new opportunities arise, scalability is often hindered. Fortunately, new vendor capabilities have made it easier to modernize these operations by integrating applications into IBOR or conducting a complete re-platforming exercise. Read this article to learn how to best utilize derivatives for modernizing operations.

by Jake Daly-Leonard, Consultant

Establish Solid Foundations to Drive Successful Outcomes From Proof-of-Concept Work

The most effective system implementations start by running a Proof of Concept (PoC) to validate a vendor’s ability to support your requirements and highlight areas where custom solution design may be required. A key component of a successful PoC is a clearly defined scope that identifies the types of scenarios, goals, and criteria for completion. Yet we see time and time again firms overlook this element.

by Nicol O’Connor, Manager

The Cost of Reactive Controls

In today’s investment operations, errors are an unfortunate fact of life, and asset managers must have a comprehensive controls framework in place to manage them effectively. However, when an error occurs, the tendency for most firms is to react by implementing manual controls rather than taking a holistic approach to assessing their overall framework. This reactive approach can lead to an over-saturation of controls, resulting in lost productivity, increased costs, and an increased risk of human error. In this paper, we explore some of the hidden costs of manual controls and identify four key risks that firms should consider when implementing a new control.

by Jill Stassel, Senior Consultant

How to Find the Right Solution for Transforming Your Front-to-Back Office Operations

On a recent panel at the InvestOps 2023 Conference, Martin Ouellette shared key insights about how firms can effectively transform their front-to-back operations. In this paper, he recaps his top three tips and offers practical strategies for alleviating operational challenges in pursuit of growth and scale.

by Martin Ouellette, Director

A Business Case for Fractional Performance Oversight

The mix of skills required to oversee investment performance includes regulatory compliance, complex mathematical models coupled with data management, and a variety of technologies. Fractional Performance Oversight is the concept of key elements of oversight and leadership being supported by partial allocated resources or fractional outsourcing. In what situations does Fractional Performance Oversight make sense? Jonathan Boersma and Alicia Spencer consider some scenarios which may warrant a different paradigm.

by Jonathan A. Boersma, CFA, Practice Lead, GIPS and Performance Regulation
Alicia Spencer, CIPM, Senior Manager

Replacing Your Legacy Investment Operations Software? Don’t Ignore These Three Red Flags

Have you selected a new investment operations system to replace your legacy technology and manual workarounds? Or have you decided to outsource investment operations to a service provider?
Both efforts are significant and likely the largest efforts your part of the organization has ever seen. Are you making the right decisions? Or do you need a golden opportunity to advance your business and improve the way you work? Here are three red flags you’re overlooking business transformation opportunities.

by Brian Lollar, Managing Director

Nine Trends Defining Financial Data Management in 2023 and Beyond

While it’s impossible to know exactly what to expect for the future of the data management and governance industry, research and experience combine to yield what we believe will be the top trends over the coming years. These trends will shape the technology, operations, and performance of nearly every firm in the investment industry in some way.

by Andrew Jacob, CFA, Senior Consultant

Driving Strategic Transformation for Wealth Management Firms: A Framework for Technology Vendor Selection

Like many industries, wealth management is undergoing a change. Demographic and generational shifts in wealth will continue to reshape services and enhance the digital experience . In a survey of 120 wealth managers, 87% reported that they have made significant investments in technology over the past several years. Tech transformations within large wealth management firms are often achieved through integrations of vendor platforms with proprietary applications, as stakeholder needs are particularly diverse. A single platform solution may solve for a set number of stakeholders, but firms with various client types require multiple solutions that integrate seamlessly. Deciding on the best technology partners requires a proven, structured approach to technology evaluation.

by Tina Madel, CFA, Senior Manager
Jose Michaelraj, CIPM, CAIA, Manager
Josh Gerwick, CFA, CIPM, Consultant

Top 3 Reasons Why Asset Owners Should Claim GIPS® Compliance

Compliance with the GIPS standards is widely adopted within the institutional asset management industry as it is considered the industry’s best practice for calculating and reporting investment performance. Asset owners’ need for reliable and transparent investment performance when evaluating and hiring outsourced investment managers is a major reason for the rise in the Standards’ popularity. In recent years, the industry has seen a trend in asset owners’ turning their attention to their own investment performance reporting and adopting the GIPS standards. This movement has now gained momentum with CFA Institute’s release of guidance specific to asset owners to make adoption of the standards easier. Aside from better-fit guidance allowing for easier implementation, why are asset owners interested in claiming compliance with the GIPS standards?

by Alicia Spencer, CIPM, Senior Manager

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