EatrhTimes – In response to investor demand for greater transparency as well as pending new legislation, Grant Thornton LLP’s Financial Services practice is launching Hedge Fund Internal Control, Governance and Regulatory Compliance Services. These services will help funds attract new investors who might be wary of alternative investments in light of recent news. It will also assist funds in attracting and retaining investors and assets and help them prepare for pending legislation.

By the fourth quarter, Congress is expected to pass The Hedge Fund Transparency Bill of 2009, which would require investment companies or advisers that are exempt from normal registration, but have at least $50 million in assets under management (AUM), to register with the SEC. “Those funds that have already registered must be prepared for additional oversight and a more aggressive examination and enforcement agenda; those funds that have not yet registered may be required to create a complete internal control and compliance infrastructure in order to be prepared for the regulatory examination process,” said Jack Katz, national managing partner of Grant Thornton’s Financial Services practice. In addition to developing the internal control, compliance and governance facilities to comply with the new rules, firms may also be required to establish an anti-money laundering program and report suspicious activities.

Read Complete Article

Tags: 50-million, alternative investments, anti money laundering, assets-under-management, aum, control governance, enforcement agenda, fourth-quarter, grant thornton llp, internal control, investment-companies, investor-demand, jack katz, new legislation, oversight, recent news, regulatory compliance services, suspicious activities