Decosimo Leads FRA's Hedge Fund Accounting, Auditing and Administration Forum

NEW YORK, NY (July 12, 2011)– Decosimo Certified Public Accountants (Decosimo), a Top 100 accounting and business advisory firm, will be lending its leadership for hedge fund education targeting institutional investors and asset managers.  Decosimo is providing support as silver sponsor and Principal Karl J. Jordan, CPA will chair the 9th Annual Hedge Fund Accounting, Auditing and Administration Forum hosted by the Financial Research Associates (FRA) July 18-19 at New York City’s Princeton Club. Additionally, Marshall Harvey, CPA•CFE, and Renee Ford, CPA, assurance principals with Decosimo’s investment partnership specialty team, will be presenting at the forum on the topics "Reflections from This Past Auditing Season - Lessons Learned and What to Look For Ahead” and “What’s New on the IFRS Front?,” respectively.  Mr. Harvey will also participate in a panel discussion focused on “Successfully Addressing Key Valuation Issues.”

The forum will explore topics such as the evolution of internal controls and reporting; reviewing the amended custody rule; successfully addressing key valuation issues; defining FATCA and FBAR in regards to reporting standards; hedge fund regulatory updates; preparing for and surviving an SEC audit; administrator's function in today’s financial climate; Dodd-Frank Legislation and it’s impact on back-office operations; and how to effectively identify and avoid operational risk.

Karl Jordan is Decosimo’s alternative investment/hedge fund practice leader and also serves as the Director in Charge of the firm’s Grand Cayman office, Moore Stephens Decosimo Cayman Limited. He has extensive experience in providing services to financial institutions, private investment partnerships, alternative investment partnerships, hedge funds, broker/dealers, real estate companies, captive insurance, investment companies, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.

Marshall Harvey serves as one of Decosimo’s primary resources in its financial services practice. His experience with private investment partnerships/hedge funds, and venture capital entities includes traditional audit and tax services and various consulting services including assistance with entity formation, capital and fee structure alternatives and issues related to offshore accounting and tax services.

Renee Ford is the primary assurance principal involved with firm’s offshore engagements handled in the Cayman Island office and has obtained certification in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to enhance her expertise in the international market. Renee has advised and assisted many clients in successfully transitioning and maintaining compliance with the complex rules and disclosure requirements of the new fair value accounting standards.

Through its highly focused conferences and seminars, FRA provides access to timely, cutting-edge information for the nation’s top executives. Decosimo consistently sponsors FRA’s educational conferences and has lead presentations at recent conferences on such topics as valuation for hard-to-value portfolios and due diligence for institutional investors.

Perennially ranked as a Top 100 accounting and business advisory Firm, Decosimo is a recognized trusted advisor in the financial services area for their domestic and international clients. With offices strategically located in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio and the Cayman Islands, Decosimo provides audit, tax and advisory services to clients throughout the world. As an independent firm associated with Moore Stephens International Limited, Decosimo has access to resources and professionals in 638 office locations across 97 countries. Together with Moore Stephens, Decosimo offers a global reach while maintaining a local perspective.  The Decosimo Financial Services Group furnishes services to financial institutions, alternative investment funds, offshore entities, fund of funds, real estate funds, investment advisors, dealer-brokers and alternative loan and private investment groups.

Beyond tax and assurance solutions, Decosimo’s Financial Services team provides advisory services for valuation, independent due diligence and transaction services; accounting assistance with fund launches; counsel related to fund structure, fee agreements and complex tax allocation issues; advice on matters of board governance and ethics; and attestation services under the SEC Custody Rule provisions for Registered Investment Advisors. Decosimo’s full service Grand Cayman office, Moore Stephens Decosimo Cayman Limited, helps its domestic and international clients leverage the benefits of a jurisdiction without direct taxation. Click here to learn more.