People Power in Fund Administration

Fund manager success depends on more than investment returns—it depends on execution. A great administrator can make a manager’s life easier, strengthen investor confidence, and scale with a growing fund. Increasingly, administrators promise technology with all the bells and whistles. Yet the true differentiator isn’t the software itself—it’s the people behind it.

The best systems still rely on skilled professionals to interpret, reconcile, and communicate. Without engaged, experienced people, even the most sophisticated platform falls short. For fund managers, that means the human element—not the interface—determines the quality of their experience.

At Pinnacle Fund Services, we’ve evolved through multiple market cycles and learned what truly drives results. We invest in our people—and give them the technology to deliver their best work. That balance between talent and tools creates accuracy, scalability, and trust for the managers and investors we serve.

People Are the Difference

Behind every NAV, investor notice, and audit-ready report is a professional who understands your fund’s structure, investors, and expectations. Fund administration runs on human judgment. It’s people who detect anomalies, resolve breaks, and communicate clearly.

An administrator’s culture, training, and engagement model shape your experience every day. Motivated professionals anticipate issues, respond quickly, and protect your reputation with investors. No matter how advanced the software, human insight remains irreplaceable.

When the People Part Falls Short

Some administrators lead with technology—offering portals, dashboards, and automated workflows—but neglect the teams responsible for using them. That imbalance often leads to slow responses, inconsistent deliverables, and high staff turnover.

The technology may look impressive in a demo, but without trained, supported people behind it, service quality declines. Fund managers should seek administrators who balance both: investing in tools that empower people, not replace them.

At Pinnacle, we pair strong systems with stronger teams. Our professionals use technology to enhance accuracy, communication, and client responsiveness—not to mask inefficiency.

The Risks of Overworked or Undertrained Teams

Burnout Leads to Errors

Long hours and heavy workloads are common in fund administration. Over time, burnout creates mistakes—misposted transactions, delayed NAVs, or incomplete investor reports. Managers feel these errors directly through rework, delays, and investor queries.

Turnover Erodes Continuity

When key staff leave, fund managers lose momentum. Constant retraining slows delivery and increases the risk of miscommunication. Stable teams that understand your fund’s history and preferences deliver smoother, more predictable service.

Limited Training Reduces Quality

Fund accounting and regulation evolve constantly. Without ongoing professional development, administrators fall behind. Continuous training builds accuracy, compliance, and confidence—for both the administrator and the fund manager.

What Fund Managers Should Ask

When selecting a fund administrator, ask how the firm invests in its people—not just its platforms.

Key Questions:

• What is your staff turnover rate, and how do you retain top performers?
• How many clients does each accountant manage?
• What training and certification programs do you require?
• How do you monitor morale and workload balance?
• How do you ensure continuity during staff transitions?
• How do technology and people work together to deliver efficiency?

These questions help uncover whether an administrator’s foundation is human or mechanical—and whether their technology empowers people or tries to replace them.

How Pinnacle Balances People and Technology

At Pinnacle Fund Services, people power everything we do. We’ve refined our approach through years of growth and client feedback, learning that lasting success depends on talent supported by innovation.

We invest in:

• Skilled Teams: Professionals with deep fund accounting and investor services experience.
• Continuous Training: Programs that strengthen technical knowledge, regulatory awareness, and service skills.
• Modern Tools: Secure, automated systems that enhance—not replace—human oversight.
• Collaborative Culture: A global team connected through shared values of collaboration, trust, and efficiency.

This combination gives fund managers confidence in their data, their timelines, and their investor communications.

Conclusion

People power fund administration. Technology can streamline, but it’s people who interpret, verify, and communicate. Firms that overemphasize automation at the expense of human expertise struggle to deliver consistency and trust.

At Pinnacle, we’ve built a different model—one where people and technology work in harmony. Our clients benefit from teams who are empowered, supported, and equipped to deliver excellence. Because when people thrive, fund managers succeed.

Please reach out to Keith Donald at [email protected] or 1-604-559-8920 to find out more about the power of people.