Time to re-design: why we’re revolutionizing the fund admin model

By Lynne Westbrook, Head of Fund Administration U.S. at Ocorian

Your fund admin model isn’t working. Most asset managers are relying on systems that are simply not geared to deal with the complexity of your set-up, structuring and reporting requirements; it’s time to change that. It's time for a model that actually matches the reality of running a fund.

Ocorian’s partnership approach is based on a simple premise: bringing all of your asset management needs under one roof, with a provider who is equipped to handle every stage of the lifecycle, increases efficiency, reduces risks and lets you get on with managing your fund. When your administrator can see the full picture from set-up, capital activity, deployment, operations, reporting, audit support, through to the return stage, you gain efficiency, reduce risk, and create space to focus on performance instead of process.

Time to re-design 

Ocorian research shows that only 8% of U.S. and Canadian fund managers believe their operating model is ‘fully fit for purpose’; 64% say it’s ‘generally fit but needs optimization’; 28% expect to re-design their model in the next 12-18 months*.

Is this a surprise? Not to us. We’ve spoken to hundreds of contacts from across the asset management industry and the common conclusion is that models are built for an old world. Asset Management has changed beyond recognition even in the last 10 years and has become so complex that firms now benefit significantly from centralizing services and approach. Structures are more sophisticated, reporting is more granular, and regulatory requirements are more demanding. The result is that firms benefit far more today from a centralized, lifecycle-driven approach.

The main problems we come across are too many manual touchpoints, insufficient talent, inadequate dataflows, fractured processes, outdated technology, and, most crucially, siloed functionality that doesn’t look at the big picture.

We launched our Fund Lifecycle to combat all of this and more. The model has been informed by conversations with clients, providers and industry experts, and built by our team of experts. We have expertise recruited specifically from ‘buy-side’ in the form of professionals in audit, tax, administration, regulatory & compliance and more. All of them have helped us build a model that works.

A holistic view of the fund lifecycle

Instead of a single-function fund admin provision, our model is an integrated process that allows us to spot gaps, identify solutions and move quickly, with our expert colleagues, to fix problems long before they arise.

Other fund administrators will bolt-on solutions after the fact. This doesn’t cut it anymore.

The lifecycle has four core stages: Set-up – Raise – Deploy – Return.

All phases of the lifecycle should of course be familiar to you, but you no longer have to work with a different provider at each stage, wasting time explaining your offering, goals and processes over and  each stage requires different expertise, but all benefit from an administrator who already knows your structure, understands your goals, and stays ahead of upcoming requirements.

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The model has flexibility for scalability at its heart. Need an outsourced CFO to meet board obligations? We can provide that. Need to market into a new jurisdiction? We can make that happen. Growing board needs a CoSec function? We can roll that out quickly and with no fuss. Need access to institutional capital? We have the contacts and ability to get your fund seen by the right people. 

The list goes on because the needs of fund managers are growing all the time and we know you need intelligent, responsive solutions to enable you to operate efficiently.

Working in partnership with asset managers

We work with you to find a service solution that works specifically for your needs. We have the global footprint, in-house expertise and service breadth to meet whatever needs may arise.

All of this is built on a foundation of the latest technology, data management, dedicated onboarding solutions, instant reporting platforms and client service.

One of our key priorities is helping you get back to what you do best: managing your fund. We take time to understand the administrative tasks that have somehow become your day-to-day, and roll out the solutions that take the problems away.

Our approach is inherently resistant to isolation; we empower asset managers to focus on performance while we provide the scale, expertise, and governance to manage funds seamlessly across global markets.

The old fund admin model isn’t working. It’s time for something better.

Get in touch with our team to learn more.
 

*In May 2025 Ocorian commissioned independent research company PureProfile to interview 100 senior venture capital and mid-market private equity professionals in the U.S. and Canada working for firms with $335.25 billion assets under management.