Phoenix American

Afund administrator who knows the ropes is a critical piece of the puzzle for investment fund management. An experienced and engaged fund administration provider can juggle a range of back-office tasks and responsibilities that support fund managers while serving the best interests of investors.

Phoenix American, a leader in fund services for alternative investments, exemplifies this role with its top-tier services that stem from over five decades of experience. Its history as a fund sponsor, handling funds with large-scale investor bases and complex equipment lease assets, equipped the company with a keen understanding of fund management needs.

Specializing in administration for private equity and venture capital funds, Phoenix American handles the full range of operational tasks: fund accounting, financial reporting, transfer agent services and investor relations. This allows fund managers to focus on their core competencies—raising capital, managing assets and generating returns.

“A quality, high-touch service philosophy is central to our culture. Our account service team becomes an extension of our client’s in-house operations. In a complex and intricate operational landscape, Phoenix American leads the way in back-office services for alternative investments,” says David C. Fisher, Chief Marketing Officer.

Phoenix American’s vast expertise informs its development of sophisticated back-office systems and processes. STAR-XMS, for example, is an advanced and robust shareholder recordkeeping system designed by Phoenix American to centralize and streamline transactions, distributions and every back-office function. The combination of its cutting-edge tools and a highly skilled team providing dedicated support enables the company to achieve efficiency and accuracy in all processes.

The role of a fund administrator is no longer limited to accounting and transaction processing. Increased sophistication of markets and investors contributes to intricacies in tasks like investor tracking, regulatory compliance, financial reporting and tax documentation. Fund managers with in-house administration find these to be major distractions from their core activities. Phoenix American recognizes the need for adept and customized administration and adopts a consultative approach, offering personalized services tailored to the specific needs of each client rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all solution.

This quality sets the company apart in a market filled with service providers automating tasks for easy money. Each client is provided with a team that is deeply familiar with their fund structure, workflow and regulatory requirements. An experienced and highly equipped account manager acts as the single point of contact, guiding them through all facets of administration. This client-centric model integrates seamlessly with the client’s operations to ensure that fund management can focus on raising capital and managing assets.

Phoenix American also goes the extra mile, proving to be a complete operational partner, leveraging its vast referral network to the benefit of clients, providing securities attorneys, managing broker-dealers, custodians and valuation partners, as needed.

Comprehensive financial reporting is essential in the administration of institutional funds. Institutional investors can be demanding, many requiring portfolio funds to use a top-tier fund administrator to mitigate operational risk. Meanwhile, retail funds that raise capital from hundreds or thousands of small-scale investors require meticulous tracking of investor transactions, associated financial advisors and interaction with clearing houses and other parties. Phoenix American is the preferred partner for both fund types, with advanced systems, timely and accurate processing and commitment to compliance and investor satisfaction.

In one instance, a fund sponsor who had only dealt with high-profile institutional investors aspired to tap into the retail investor market but found it complex and daunting. Taking the time to understand their asset class, track record and value proposition, Phoenix American was able to match them with a managing broker-dealer with expertise in retail fundraising. This facilitated the development of a successful distribution plan that complied with all regulatory and due diligence requirements.

Phoenix American efficiently managed the influx of retail investors, ensuring accurate tracking, reporting and compliance. The result was a smooth fundraising experience in which the sponsor successfully attracted millions of dollars in investments. Phoenix American demonstrated its proficiency in extending client market reach while maintaining impeccable administrative support.

A legacy of technological innovation, high-touch service and the skills to shoulder client workloads make Phoenix American an invaluable partner for private equity and venture capital managers seeking fund administration excellence.