Self-Assesment
1. Are investments managed in accordance with applicable laws, trust documents, and written investment policy statements (IPS)?
(Practice S-1.1)
2. Are the roles and responsibilities of all involved parties (fiduciaries and non-fiduciaries) defined, documented, and acknowledged?
(Practice S-1.2)
3. Is there no indication that fiduciaries and parties in interest are involved in self-dealing?
(Practice S-1.3)
4. Are service agreements and contracts in writing? Are they written without provisions that conflict with fiduciary standards of care?
(Practice S-1.4)
5. Are assets within the jurisdiction of appropriate courts? Are they protected from theft and embezzlement?
(Practice S-1.5)
6. Has an investment time horizon been identified?
(Practice S-2.1)
7. Has a risk level been identified?
(Practice S-2.2)
8. Has an expected, modeled return to meet investment objectives been identified?
(Practice S-2.3)
9. Are selected asset classes consistent with the identified risk, return, and time horizon?
(Practice S-2.4)
10. Are selected asset classes consistent with implementation and monitoring constraints?
(Practice S-2.5)
11. Is there an IPS containing the detail to define, implement, and manage a specific investment strategy?
(Practice S-2.6)
12. Does the IPS define appropriately structured, socially responsible investment (SRI) strategies (where applicable)?
(Practice S-2.7)
13. Is the investment strategy implemented in compliance with the required level of prudence?
(Practice S-3.1)
14. Are applicable “safe harbor” provisions followed (when elected)?
(Practice S-3.2)
15. Are investment vehicles appropriate for the portfolio size?
(Practice S-3.3)
16. Is a due diligence process followed in selecting service providers, including the custodian?
(Practice S-3.4)
17. Are there periodic reports comparing investment performance against an appropriate index, peer group, and IPS objectives?
(Practice S-4.1)
18. Are periodic reviews made of qualitative and/or organizational changes of investment decision-makers?
(Practice S-4.2)
19. Are control procedures in place to periodically review policies for best execution, “soft dollars,” and proxy voting?
(Practice S-4.3)
20. Are fees for investment management consistent with agreements and with a ll applicable laws?
(Practice S-4.4)
21. Are “finder’s fees” or other forms of compensation that may have been paid for asset placement appropriately applied, utilized, and documented?
(Practice S-4.5)
22. Is there a process to periodically review the organization’s effectiveness in meeting its fiduciary responsibilities?
(Practice S-4.6)