Ensure the smooth running of your annual audit – 5 tips for best practice
A proactive administrator ensures that the audit process runs smoothly for a manager, avoiding last-minute panics and keeping the manager’s time as free as possible during this busy period, to focus on their portfolio and investors. As audit time draws to a close, we outline five best practices to ensure a smooth, efficient and painless audit next time around.
Your fund administrators will have the experience required to communicate early, set timelines and assign roles and responsibilities. You can request that they drive a project plan and hold periodic meetings or updates to communicate progress and identify weaknesses early. Completeness, accuracy and good presentation skills will help reduce the likelihood of any misunderstandings or disputes during the audit process. As a client, you should have full transparency and confidence in the service you are receiving.
It’s helpful if your partnering firms have operational centres in time zones that align with your working day and it’s essential that you feel there is a level of expertise that you can rely on and a continuity within the service team. Your administrator will also need to keep open the lines of communication with auditors throughout the audit process and be responsive to their requests for information, making themselves available to answer any questions they may have. This will help ensure that the audit proceeds smoothly and efficiently.
If you do not have complete confidence in these key areas, you should be confirming with your administrator, well in advance of the audit, who is leading the team, what is their experience and their approach to staff continuity and succession planning for future audits.
Your administrator should be proactive and stay informed about any changes in accounting standards or regulations that may affect your fund. This will help you stay ahead of any potential issues and ensure that your financial reporting is compliant with current standards.
It is important to ensure you review the audit process while the detail is still fresh in your mind. It is tempting to not make time to review the process; what went well and what gave you cause for concern. Be open and honest with your administrator with this feedback. If they have done an excellent job, let them know so they understand what aspects of their service are important to you. If they need to improve, the issues should be addressed to prevent the inevitable happening again next year.
Des Johnson, Global Chief Revenue Officer at Waystone: “By following these best practice guidelines, fund managers can help to ensure a successful and stress-free audit process, avoiding the potential pitfalls and meeting challenges head on along the way. Waystone Fund Administration provides valuable guidance and support, ensuring that your fund is fully prepared for the audit.”
How can Waystone help?
Waystone manages the audit process for clients by using the data captured and generated in its day-to-day role as administrator. Our aim is to facilitate the smooth running of audits for our clients so they can focus on their portfolio and their investors.
We schedule and manage the timing of the audit and act as the main point of contact for all audit queries. Prior to year-end, we liaise with the relevant audit firms to ensure all necessary pronouncements are included in the financial statement templates.
About Waystone
Waystone is the leading provider of institutional governance, risk and compliance services to the asset management industry.
Partnering with institutional investors, investment funds and asset managers Waystone builds, supports and protects investment structures and strategies worldwide. With over 20 years’ experience and a comprehensive range of specialist services to its name, Waystone is now supporting asset managers with more than US$2Tn in AUM.
At Waystone, we see ourselves as your architects in the world of asset management and our primary aim is simple: to design, build and support the investment structures and strategies you need so you can pursue your investment goals with complete confidence.
Press Contact: Alison Mitsas
