Compliance Evolution: Outsourcing Solutions for 2022

As the world of investment compliance continues to evolve and the scope of service needs widen, compliance professionals in the industry are leveraging technology and third-party vendors to meet the demands and expectations of regulators. Partnering with vendors and service providers is paramount to a successful and robust compliance program.

Engaging with these service partners allows firms to remain competitive and stay ahead of the curve. But regularly evaluating their resources is essential to risk mitigation, compliance with regulatory requirements, and much more. Moreover, with proper due diligence of a firm’s service partners, many find that by aligning with third-party service providers they’re introducing an additional layer of internal controls and protection.

The team at Core Compliance & Legal Services, Inc.SM (“Core Compliance”) regularly receives inquiries regarding additional resources. In this month’s Risk Management Update, we are providing vendor information that our clients have shared regarding their own positive experiences. The firms in the industry are unique and boast their own specific business and service models – which in turn, leads to different experiences from one firm to the next. Therefore, it is essential that financial industry firms conduct their own vendor due diligence in a thorough manner prior to engagement and periodically thereafter.

Compliance Technology Solutions

Orion Compliance (previously BasisCode Compliance™) – Orion Compliance delivers a simple, centralized compliance platform, enabling compliance personnel to focus on high-risk areas while meeting critical regulatory and documentation requirements. The dashboard-driven system consists of a flexible menu including compliance calendar customization, testing, certifications and attestations, gifts and entertainment monitoring, risk assessments, form builder tool, personal trading, whistleblower, and document library management.
www.basiscode.com / (678) 819-1991

MyComplianceOffice – MyComplianceOffice (MCO) provides a software system for compliance requirements and employee trading activity management, as well as task management and workflow, compliance calendar building, attestation management, disclosure management, gifts and entertainment monitoring, case and document management, risk management and more.
www.mycomplianceoffice.com / (866) 951-1558

Paragon Data Labs – Compliance Administration & Tracking (CAT) is a cloud-based enterprise software platform developed and serviced by Paragon Data Labs to streamline employee compliance for financial services firms. CAT makes compliance simple for employers and employees with a centralized platform integrating Personal Trading Oversight, Employee Disclosures, and Material Non-Public Information Management for automated monitoring and robust firm-wide analysis and visualizations.
https://www.paragondatalabs.com/solution / 646-580-8126
CONTACT: Sam Bergen

 

Custodians

Charles Schwab | Advisor Services – Charles Schwab Advisor Services (Schwab) offers Registered Investment Advisers three things; experience, partnership, and investment. Schwab knows that firms value their independence but crave advocacy. Within their custodial services, Schwab offers RIAs support, service, technology, access to tools and products, education and training, and more.
advisorservices.schwab.com / (949) 720-4965
CONTACT: Barry Nicholson

Fidelity | Fidelity Institutional SM– Fidelity acknowledges that operating in today’s industry requires the right tools, resources, and support to drive future results. With Fidelity Institutional℠, firms have access to innovative technology and dedicated services to help evolve their business.
clearingcustody.fidelity.com / (949) 720-4965

Interactive Brokers – Interactive Brokers (IBKR) services make them a gateway to the world’s markets. Their services include multiple trading products and tools, custom trading technologies and platforms, and more.
www.interactivebrokers.com / (707) 559-3258

TD Ameritrade | TD Ameritrade Institutional – In combination with Schwab Advisor Services, TD Institutional offers Registered Investment Advisers a comprehensive approach to service. Aimed to innovate and break new ground in order to help promote growth, they offer RIAs support, connection and networking, technology (iRebal® and thinkpipes®), industry insight and training, and more.
www.tdainstitutional.com / (949) 366-4105
CONTACT: Greg Mayes

 

Continuing Education/Compliance Certifications/Training

FINRA Institute at Georgetown (CRCP)® Certification – The FINRA Institute at Georgetown Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP)® program provides compliance, legal and regulatory professionals with an in-depth understanding of the foundation, theory, and practical application of securities laws and regulation.
www.finra.org / (301) 590-6500

National Society of Compliance Professionals: Certified Securities Compliance Professional (CSCP) and Certified Investment Company Compliance Professional (CICCP) Certifications – A CSCP or CICCP designation distinguishes individuals with intermediate to advanced proficiency and a commitment to advancing securities compliance practices. The focus of the courses will be on Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority regulated financial services firms with a particular emphasis on Investment Advisers, Broker-Dealers, and/or Investment Companies.
https://www.nscp.org/about-cscp | www.nscp.org/about-ciccp / (860) 672-0843
CONTACT: Colleen Dorsey, Director | colleen.dorsey@stthomas.edu

Quest CE – Quest CE offers compliance education and training opportunities for the financial services industry. In addition to offering continuing education (“CE”) for professionals holding insurance licenses and professional designations like the CFP, CPA, CIMA, and CLU/CHFC designations, Quest CE also provides a complete spectrum of compliance training solutions.
www.questce.com/course-catalog / (414) 375-3400

RegEd, Inc. – RegEd boasts a comprehensive course catalog covering a variety of industry topics and educational needs, including annual compliance meetings, needs analysis, training plans, tracking and reporting, firm element CE, insurance CE, exam preparation licensing training with exam preparation self-study, and online practice exams.
www.reged.com / (800) 334-8322
CONTACT: Christine Steurer

Securities Training Corporation® – The Securities Training Corporation (STC)® offers securities CE, securities licensing, insurance CE, and insurance pre-licensing and exam preparation licensing training in a classroom or self-study format. Their offerings are aimed at professionals looking to start a career in financial services or insurance, with their wide range of study products designed to prepare.
www.stcusa.com / (800) 782-1223

 

Electronic Books & Records Solutions

Broadcom Inc. – Broadcom® offers a comprehensive portfolio of identity-centric data loss prevention for IT security professionals. Broadcom offers a variety of technology solutions to protect all types of sensitive information and assets to help minimize accidental, negligent, and malicious misuse of data, as well as to help you remain compliant with regulations, and corporate policies and reduce overall business risk.
www.broadcom.com / (800) 225-5224
CONTACT: Joshua Johnson

Bloomberg Vault – As part of Bloomberg professional services, Bloomberg Vault is a cloud-based information management service that delivers compliance, eDiscovery, and enterprise archiving by leveraging the scalability and reliability of Bloomberg’s global infrastructure, which distributes up to 250 million daily messages and manages more than 70 billion archived records on behalf of Bloomberg Vault subscribers.
www.bloomberg.com / (212) 617-6580
CONTACT: Nick Polychronopoulos

 

Electronic Mail Archiving & Surveillance Tools

Global Relay® – Growing up in the financial industry, Global Relay offers scalable messaging services that provide the foundation for mail management, compliance, eDiscovery, and business continuity. Ask a Core Compliance consultant about preferential pricing available to Core Compliance clients.
www.globalrelay.com / (604) 484-6630
CONTACT: Chris Hartley, Regional Director of Business Development

Intradyn – Understanding the industry is overrun with options, Intradyn is a recognized archiving leader in the eDiscovery and email archiving markets, producing leading-edge products for businesses, organizations, & governments.
www.intradyn.com / (651) 203-4600
CONTACT: Monique Gillard

Smarsh – Smarsh offers companies their approach to capture, store, and monitor their communications, specializing in email and instant message archiving, WORM Optical Storage, attachment archiving, virus protections, review and reporting tools, and spam filtering.
www.smarsh.com / (866) SMARSH 1 & (503) 946-5980
CONTACT: Richard L. Ring

 

Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance

Chubb – As a global provider of insurance products, Chubb provides solutions and coverage for property and casualty, accident and health, reinsurance, and life insurance and are the largest publicly traded property and casualty company in the world.
www.chubb.com / (866) 324-8222

Marsh McLennan – Marsh McLennan is a global risk and insurance service firm, providing coverage for a variety of exposures, including crisis management, mergers and acquisitions, business continuity and operational risk.
www.mmc.com/solutions / (212) 345-6750
CONTACT: Sarah Dewitt, Head of Investor Relations

Starkweather & Shepley Insurance, Brokerage Inc. – Starkweather & Shepley offers a full range of cost-effective commercial insurance and risk management solutions, including a variety of financial insurance, risk management, and related services worldwide.
www.starshep.com/services / (800) 854-4625
CONTACT: Jessica Thayer

 

GIPS® Verification and Performance Services

CAPS Inc. – CAPS provides a unique approach to investment data organization and analytics by designing and deploying unparalleled software solutions, specifically a GIPS® composite and management reporting workflow software solution for GIPS compliance and reporting.
www.capsinc.com / (407) 930-3590
CONTACT: Tim Lentine

Deloitte – As a multiservice company, Deloitte offers a comprehensive suite of services to a multitude of industries, some of which include audit, tax, consultant, and financial advisory services, including GIPS® verifications.
www.deloitte.com / (213) 688-0800

 

Private Fund Administration

Hedge Solutions, Inc. – Hedge Solutions provides specialized accounting services for fund structure or investment strategy and offers consolidated online investor access to key information, reporting and documents in a protected and secure environment.
www.hedgesolutions.com / (603) 644-3343
CONTACT: Kathrine Cronin

Opus Fund Services, LLC – Opus Fund Service provides hedge fund administration, including fund accounting/NAV calculations, partner allocations, and year-end reporting services – regardless of complexity or fund size.
www.opusfundservices.com / (415) 762-8749
CONTACT: Mike Canni & Gregory Knapp

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. – SS&C Technologies Holdings (NASDAQ: SSNC) provides fund administration services for hedge funds, fund of funds, private equity funds, and managed account managers. SS&C also offers back office, middle office, and front office software for alternative investment managers.
www.ssctech.com / (800) 234-0556
CONTACT: Brandon Fahy & Bob Wright

 

Private Fund Auditing Firms

EisnerAmper, LLP – As a global firm serving a broad spectrum of financial services and high-net-worth clients, EisnerAmper offers a full range of audit, accounting, taxation, and consulting services. Hedge fund advisory services include hedge fund audit and tax services as well as support for fund of funds, multi-strategy funds, and PIPES.
www.eisneramper.com / (415) 357-4216
CONTACT: Todd Hankin & Keith Miller

KPMG, LLP – With their worldwide presence, KPMG is an international firm that provides audit, tax, and advisory services and industry insight to help organizations negotiate risks and perform in the dynamic and challenging environments in which they do business.
www.kpmg.us/ / (201) 307-7000
CONTACT: William Tomazin

Marcum, LLP – As a national accounting and advisory services firm, Marcum provides consulting, tax, and auditing services for private equity partnerships, hedge funds, off-shore funds, registered investment advisers, and real estate funds, in addition to traditional accounting, assurance, and tax, including domestic and international tax planning.
www.marcumllp.com / (212) 485-5510
CONTACT: Dennis J. Schall

 

HR Administration Support

ADP® – ADP offers HR administration and technology solutions for the internal workings of your firm. On top of AI automation solutions, their services include HR services, talent acquisition, time and attendance monitoring, benefits administration, payroll maintenance, and more.
www.adp.com / (877) 532-0136

Coastal Payroll® – Coastal Payroll specializes in human capital management, which includes Human Resources, Benefits Administration, Time and Attendance, and more. Their suite of offerings also includes payroll, timekeeping, talent acquisition, benefits, human resources, and custom integrations for your specific business.
www.coastalpayroll.com / (858) 565-2123

Paychex® – Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYX) is a provider of integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance services. Paychex also offers an all-in-one HR software, which is customizable and scalable to any growing business.
www.paychex.com / (833) 729-8200

TriNet Professional Services – TriNet offers HR administration expertise including payroll processing, risk mitigation, and expense management solutions. TriNet allows your business the opportunity to offload administrative tasks and paperwork associated with HR functions.
www.trinet.com / (941) 744-3445
CONTACT: Marissa Ross

 

Portfolio Accounting and Trade Management Systems

Charles River Investment Management Systems – Charles River provides the industry with a unique approach, including their Charles River Investment Management Solution (Charles River IMS). Their platform provides software, hosting, and data services to automate front and middle-office investment operations for buy-side firms. On-premises software solutions support portfolio management, compliance and risk monitoring, access to global liquidity, and trade processing.
www.crd.com / (781) 238-0099

SS&C | EZE – As one of the many solutions offered by SS&C Technologies, EZE provides comprehensive technology solutions to broker-dealers, hedge funds, institutional asset managers, mutual funds, pension funds, and wealth managers.
www.ezesoft.com / (617) 316-1000

SS&C | Advent – Another offering provided through SS&C Technologies, Advent offers innovative investment management solutions that integrate portfolio accounting, reporting, performance analytics, and client relationship management, effectively linking portfolio managers, operations, and client service staff on a single database platform.
www.advent.com / (800) 727-0605

Envestnet | Tamarac® – As a division of Envestnet® (NYSE: ENV), this company offers scalable web-based portfolio management technology that enables investment managers to provide customized, tax-efficient, individual account management to a multitude of clients.
www.tamaracinc.com / (866) 525-8811
CONTACT: Brion Valashinas

 

Proxy Voting Services

Broadridge Financial Solutions – Broadridge provides infrastructure solutions that empower corporate governance, capital markets, and wealth and investment management through their supplies tools to help manage proxy votes, keep records, and maintain compliance.
www.broadridge.com / (800) 353-0103
CONTACT: Amy Reuter

Glass Lewis and Co. – As a provider of independent global governance services, Glass Lewis helps institutional investors understand and connect with the companies in which they invest. Some of their offerings include Viewpoint, a vote management platform, and Proxy Paper, a research report with analysis and recommendations on every proxy vote, including M&A and other financial transactions.
www.glasslewis.com / (415) 678-4110
CONTACT: Mike O’Sullivan

 

Cybersecurity: Vulnerability Assessments & Penetration Testing

Altius IT – Altius IT is a security audit company with certified auditors to help firms meet their security and compliance requirements. Their unique approach to cybersecurity includes IT audits and penetration testing, privacy and compliance audits, mobile application security, and website security testing. www.altiusit.com / (714) 794-5210
CONTACT: Jim Kelton

Secureworks® | TaegisTM – As a product from Secureworks, Taegis a cloud-native security analytics platform built on 20+ years of real-world threat intelligence and research, improves your ability to detect advanced threats, streamline and collaborate on investigations, and automate the right actions.
www.secureworks.com / (877) 838-7947
CONTACT: Ian Bancroft

Xantrion – Xantrion provides enterprise-grade IT services to midsized businesses. Their custom offerings include IT roadmaps, IT support, proactive monitoring, backup and recovery services, security services, cloud strategy, and more.
www.xantrion.com / (510) 272-4701
CONTACT: Anne Bisagno

 

Cybersecurity and CCO Liability Insurance

National Associate of Professional Agents – National Associate of Professional Agents (NAPA) insurance programs provide small businesses and independent contractors with coverage to help protect against the financial burden created by a data breach.
www.napa-benefits.org / (800) 593-7657

Starkweather & Shepley Insurance, Brokerage Inc – Starkweather & Shepley’s preferred carrier for cyber liability insurance is Lloyd’s of London. Since cyber liability insurance is not standardized it is important to work with a good agent to help define the coverage needed and negotiate the terms. The cost will vary widely depending on the coverage.
www.starshep.com / (401) 435-3600
CONTACT: Andrew Fotopulos

The Hartford – The Hartford helps businesses prepare for a cyber breach by providing a suite of comprehensive, flexible coverages that respond to the ever-expanding list of cyber threats.
www.thehartford.com / (866) 467-8730

Windermere Insurance Group – Windermere Insurance understands the exposures and inherent risks that threaten your business and personal assets. They aim to help businesses prepare for a cyber breach by providing a suite of comprehensive, flexible coverages that respond to the ever-expanding list of cyber threats.
https://windinsgroup.com / (704) 247-3038 CONTACT: Scott H. Shannon