What is a Fund Administrator?

In our eyes, fund administration has different definitions to different people. At Nottingham, we view administration in a broader sense.

A fund administrator oversees the day to day operations of a pooled investment fund so the portfolio manager or program sponsor can focus their energy on making investment decisions.

Although the concept is straightforward, fund administration includes many moving pieces and tasks. Some funds do not require all the services and functions.

What Does a Fund Administrator Do?

A fund administrator will, deal with a number of different processes and functions. Here’s a brief overview of what fund administration services we do:

  • Net Asset Value (NAV) calculation
  • Transfer agency and shareholder portal
  • Regulatory filings
  • Financial reporting
  • Preparation and audit of financial statements

A common denominator for almost all investment pools is calculating the NAV. As a fund accountant, an administrator verifies assets, update market prices, and post income and expenses of the fund. Investment securities prices are usually updated each business day, as are operating expenses and investment income.

Funds are usually audited annually, and many are required to file period financial statements. Therefore, Financial reporting is a vital component of fund administration.

Our Fund Administrator

Services

At Nottingham, we combine decades of experience with personalized service to help investment funds operate efficiently, stay compliant, and reduce costs.

Here are our service options to help better manage your fund:

Financial Reporting & Audit Support

We prepare detailed draft financial statements and work closely with auditors to simplify reviews, streamline the audit process, and reduce annual administration expenses.

Operational Outsourcing & Strategic Guidance

By outsourcing your fund administration to Nottingham, you gain time to focus on your core business while bene fiting from our insights, efficiency, and decades of industry expertise

Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) Services

We can serve as your fund’s CCO, offering experienced oversight and maintaining investor trust through strong compliance governance

Investor Recordkeeping & NAV Administration

As your transfer agent, we manage shareholder and participant records, calculate Net Asset Value (NAV), and ensure accurate allocation and transparent reporting for investors.

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

Our in-house legal team provides full regulatory support — from SEC filings and prospectus updates to ongoing compliance oversight – ensuring your fund meets every reporting requirement.

Catering to Different Fund Structures

There are several different collective investment structures that require the expertise of a fund administrator.
These include:

  • Obtain CUSIPs and Nasdaq symbol(s)
  • Manage execution of selling and platform distribution agreements
  • File post-effective with SEC
  • Document revisions to include final comments/changes from the SEC
  • Blue Sky registration
  • Establish custody account

As one of the top fund administrators in the country, Nottingham understands the divergent complexities between each class. For example, hedge fund administrators perform different services to a private equity fund administrator. There is no static mutual fund accounting definition or hedge fund administrator definition, for instance. A mutual fund administrator will complete different tasks depending on the requirements of the investment manager.

Covering Regulatory Compliance

Compliance is a complex and essential part of managing any investment structure-especially registered funds regulated by the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

As 40 Act funds are designed for tax efficiency, administrators must perform annual calculations, ensure proper shareholder distributions, and file required tax forms to maintain compliance.

With over 30 years of experience, Nottingham expertly navigates the regulatory landscape of the 1933, 1934, and
1940 Acts, leveraging deep industry relationships to complete all processes efficiently and cost-effectively.

Governance Oversight and Support

Whether it’s a board of government functionaries overseeing a local government investment pool, or a board of trustees governing a 40 Act fund, the governance system is imperative for an investment structure. When Nottingham first came into existence back in the 1980s, board agendas and auxiliary materials were much less involved. Now board meeting preparations are more involved, much more lengthy, with more boxes to check to maintain fund compliance.

Nottingham was named the best fund administrator for small and startup funds in 2019 and 2023. We view these relationships as partnerships and protect the fund and fund principals the same way we look after our own families.

VP Asset Management, West Coast

What a pleasure talking with you yesterday. I am thrilled to have discovered Nottingham.

VP Asset Management, West Coast

Hedge Fund Manager

I looked at 15-20 admin firms, firms all over the country, but when I walked into Nottingham, I knew. I had a very favorable, personable impression from the outset.

Hedge Fund Manager

East Coast-Based Hedge Fund Manager

I’ve always been impressed with the depth offered in terms of reporting and customization. They are so accommodating and always handle my report requests in a very timely manner.

East Coast-Based Hedge Fund Manager

Endowment Advisor, Wachovia Securities

Our relationship with Nottingham has improved the effectiveness and efficiency of what I’ve been able to do for the endowment. There has not been one thing we’ve asked for that they’ve not come up with a way to address our request.

Endowment Advisor, Wachovia Securities

Chief Investment Officer, Mutual Fund

Each person that I work with or have worked with over the years is very genuine. They are all well-intended, hardworking people, and I’ve always liked that about Nottingham.

Chief Investment Officer, Mutual Fund

Head of Administration, Mutual Fund

The greatest benefit of working with Nottingham is being able to pick up the phone, call, and get a person on the other end. The personal service is everything to us.

Head of Administration, Mutual Fund

Managing Director, Mutual Fund

Your staff took care of everything perfectly and are a pleasure to work with. We look forward with great anticipation to our next Nottingham visit.

Managing Director, Mutual Fund

North Carolina-Based Hedge Fund Manager

You guys have never treated me like the small fish that I am. Your team has always done an excellent job for me and my shareholders and for that I’m a very thankful, loyal customer.

North Carolina-Based Hedge Fund Manager

East Coast-Based Hedge Fund Manager

It is so nice to have an organization that works so hard on our behalf. You have made me feel so comfortable about the transition from my previous provider. I’ve been in business since I was 15 years old, and I have never met a group of people that I liked as much from day one as the folks at Nottingham.

East Coast-Based Hedge Fund Manager

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