During the 27th Annual GIPS Standards conference hosted by CFA Institute, Jonathan Boersma, CFA, was invited to speak on mergers and acquisitions with CFA Institute’s Director of Global Industry Standards Beth Kaiser Schwartz, CFA, CIPM, and Insight Investment’s James O’Leary. View the video here: https://players.brightcove.net/pages/v1/index.html?accountId=1183701590001&playerId=rkcysOOFe&videoId=6339983404112&autoplay=true Jonathan also wrote about the operational challenges of mergers and
Read Full ArticleFacing the Challenges of Mergers and Acquisitions
With one in six asset managers expected to be acquired or go out of business in the next five years, preparing for M&A activities is crucial for success. It’s important to consider each option’s potential benefits and challenges and to carefully evaluate whether M&A activities align with your firm’s goals and values. However, these processes can have significant challenges, including cost management, personnel, and legal and regulatory issues. Jonathan Boersma, CFA’s latest article, “Facing the Challenges of Mergers and Acquisitions”, explores these challenges and provides considerations for mitigating them.
by Jonathan Boersma, CFA
Read Full ArticleVital Elements for Effective Execution of a Proof of Concept
A Proof of Concept (PoC) is a crucial step when evaluating new technology. In addition to testing a vendor’s core capabilities, a PoC is an opportunity to confirm the system’s functionality, efficiency, and compatibility with unique business requirements. In previous articles, we’ve discussed the importance of a well-defined PoC scope and documenting the results. In
Read Full ArticleMeradia and State Street: Transforming your operating model with data and technology
Meradia’s Chris Cassara was invited to join Frank Smietana and present his insights at State Street‘s 2023 Consultants Day. During his interview, Chris shared his knowledge and expertise on how data and technology can be leveraged to transform operating models in the financial industry. This is an excellent opportunity for viewers to gain a deeper understanding of the benefits that
Read Full ArticleImplementation Handbook: Capturing PoC Insights for Future Implementation
In the current technology landscape, where successful digital transformation leads to more efficient operations, the choice of vendor can often be the defining factor between success and failure. “Implementation Handbook: Capturing PoC Insights for Future Implementation” emphasizes the importance of thoroughly documenting each facet of a vendor Proof of Concept (PoC) facet to assist with analyzing findings and provide a comprehensive and organization-specific guide for implementation. This guide will increase a firm’s odds of successful implementation.
by Nicol O’Connor
Read Full ArticleProactive Project Management: 3 Steps to Preventing Early Setbacks
Entering a large-scale transformation project can be a daunting task. But does it need to be? What separates a successful project from one that is fraught with delays and cost overruns? While the execution of any large-scale implementation project is critical, equally so is the planning phase. It is here, during planning, before the vendor even lands in your office, that the foundation of a successful project is formed. Consider the following three principles as keys to your success.
by Christopher Dyer, Manager
Read Full ArticleEstablish 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
Read Full ArticleThe 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
Read Full ArticleHow 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
Read Full ArticleFour Signs Your Firm Is Ready for a Consolidated Front-To-Back Solution
Front-to-back office solutions are on the rise. Are they right for your firm?
by John Leavy, Senior Manager
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