Alternative investments represent one of the fastest-growing asset classes, and investment managers are increasingly looking to real estate, private equity, funds of funds, and limited partnerships to boost their returns. But supporting these diverse and complex asset classes is significantly more challenging than with traditional investments – compounded by the limitations of outdated technology and operational inefficiencies.
Alternative investments can create increasingly complex administration and investment portfolio risks. We help you identify and develop a solution to facilitate better investment decisions, mitigate operational risks, and support investment risk management.
Alternatives need intricate data management due to unstructured data, lack of standardization and transparency, and significant latencies. We assess your data requirements, and determine the processes and technology that will best meet your needs.
Cumbersome and inefficient investment systems and processes create roadblocks. We assess your current workflows and present operating models and solutions to help you process alternative investments – from deal capture to financial reporting.
We create RFPs and review, evaluate, and identify the best vendor solutions to meet your needs. We then design your implementation road map, including process workflows and requirements, estimated costs, and anticipated time and resources.
Industry Experience Working for You
See how the Cutter team can address your alternative investment issues.
Tom Phipps has more than 25 years of experience in the investment management industry, with a background in the automation of the investment process, including portfolio management, risk analytics, trading, compliance, performance, operations, investment accounting, data management, and systems integration. He leads Cutter Associates’ Front Office practice, providing deep expertise in front-office vendors and operating models. His consulting experience includes strategic advisory, systems selection, and change management execution engagements for some of the world’s most prominent investment management firms. He also leads the development of Cutter’s Strategy and Search methodologies.
Tom gained his expertise in technology and operations at software vendors and asset management firms, where he held leadership roles in technology management. His prior experience includes Senior Manager at Deloitte Consulting, Chief Technology Officer at PanAgora Asset Management, Chief Technology Officer at Atlas Venture, Vice President of Operations at DSTi North America, and various management roles in technology and professional services at NCS Financial Systems (now SunGard AMS). Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in operations management and management information systems from Florida State University.
Shankar Subramanian has over 25 years of industry experience in investment management and technology solutions. Shankar has a deep understanding of investment data management, portfolio management, risk management, investment accounting, and alternative investments. At Cutter Associates, he heads the Risk and Compliance practice, helping client with investment risk management, and asset allocation, as well as providing support for compliance with consulting on trading forensics, communication surveillance, regulatory reporting, and guideline compliance. He advises on, and designs, operating models, selects systems, and implements business and technology solutions. He also leads development of Cutter’s alternative investments practices and the firm’s efforts to provide thought leadership and strategic and tactical advice to asset owner clients.
Prior to joining Cutter, Shankar held senior roles at IBM Global Services and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), advising clients and leading global delivery teams in large engagements. Shankar holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and an MBA in finance and information systems from the Indian Institute of Management.
