At First Trust, we strongly believe we have developed a unique service that delivers not only the best of what fund administration and accounting outsourcing has to offer but also a high quality, all encompassing fund administration and accounting outsourcing solution tailored to the specific and often complex needs of our clients.
Outsourcing is about entrusting business processes to a strategic outsourcing partner. We believe this partnership should be flexible and adaptable to client business operating environment. The following outsourcing models are presently offered by First Trust:
Full outsourcing off-site
This model is generally considered to be the most cost effective of all outsourcing options. This is when the accounting functions are managed and processed by non-employees at First Trust off-site service center. All cash receipts and expenditures, including payroll are processed off site. Clients are then provided with various reports, including monthly financial statements. How the information is transmitted to/from First Trust depends on client specific requirements.
Full outsourcing on-site
The next best model is to outsource the accounting functions on site. In this way client can have ownership over the technology, which can then be integrated with operational databases. However, First Trust loses the advantages of processing centrally, and therefore it cost First Trust more to provide similar services; costs which are passed on to the client. In this type of arrangement, management generally retains the same type of control over the accounting functions as they had before.
Partial outsourcing
This approach enables clients to enjoy the benefits of First Trust's highly skilled workforce without losing corporate knowledge. Such a model would entail a portion of the work done onsite by the key members of client staff and the balance offsite by First Trust professionals. This helps you to reduce your costs while at the same time keeping onsite those processes that may not be amenable to going offsite.
Build-Operate-Transfer
Through this model, First Trust helps client to set up its finance center from start to finish. First Trust takes care of establishment of the infrastructure, facilities, human resources, operational processes and actually running the center for a defined period of time. Once the center and services are well established, management and ownership are then transferred to the client organisation.
Joint Venture
This model entails the client organisation and First Trust to set up a joint venture entity that will predominantly service the client's business. First Trust brings the local expertise and service skills while the client brings its knowledge of the existing business function.
SWAT Outsourcing
The SWAT Outsourcing model enables client to utilise First Trust's staff and infrastructure capabilities, at short notice. When this option is employed, client organisation is able to address its immediate work requirements while simultaneously source for a longer term solution.