Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Edinburgh, 1993.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin, 1928. / Typescript (photocopy). eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-82).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Berkeley, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 214-223).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Drexel University, 2010. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-92).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Management, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007. / Khorana Ajay, Committee Chair ; Clarke Jonathan, Committee Member ; Li haizheng, Committee Member ; Jayaraman Narayan, Committee Member ; Eun Cheol, Committee Member.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

[pt] Um Fundo de Pensão deve casar o passivo atuarial de longo prazo com sua carteira de ativos, de tal forma que se encontre em equilíbrio. Abordar o aspecto dinâmico das reservas matemáticas é peça fundamental para a construção do Asset Liability Management (ALM) nos Fundos de Pensão. Este estudo tem por objetivo apresentar uma análise do modelo estocástico para o passivo atuarial de um Fundo de Pensão, com respeito à variabilidade de três parâmetros de risco utilizados no cálculo das reservas matemáticas: crescimento salarial, inflação e taxa de administração. Com isto, poderá ser desenvolvida a longo prazo uma política de integração entre o ativo e o passivo para os Fundos de Pensão. / [en] A pension fund has to match the porfolio of liabilities with the portfolio of assets to achieve equilibrium in the long term. Analysing the dynamics of pension liabilities is an instrument key for the construction of Asset Liability Management Models (ALM)for pension funds. The objective of the study is to present a sthocastic model of the liability portfolio of a pension fund from the point of view of the variability of three risk parameters used in the calculate of those liabilities: salary increase, inflation and expense rate. In the long term, the objetive is to develop an integrated policy for assets and liabilities in a pension fund.

M.Comm. (Accounting) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

With the financial crisis of 2008 and more retirement funds and insurance companies entering the hedge fund industry, the safety of investor assets has become vital. According to a worldwide study by Kundro and Feffer (2002:42), operational risk factors account for almost half of hedge fund failures. The issues that underlie the operational risk factors relate to valuation of the fund’s assets and liabilities. Unless certain valuation practices become more widespread, hedge funds face a potential crisis of confidence with institutional and high net worth investors (Kundro and Feffer, 2002:42). Despite the improvements made by administrators to deal with the complexities of hedge fund investments, the accuracy of some valuations remains open to question (McVea 2008:135). Hedge fund manager inputs into valuations compromise the degree of independence exercised, particularly with regard to complex and/or illiquid instruments. The perception that administrators lack the required technical expertise to value complex and/or illiquid assets exacerbates the issue of administrator’s reliability to provide independent valuations. Therefore, the reliance on administrators to guarantee the quality of valuations of complex instruments is in question. The aim of the study was to identify ways to improve operational risk management practices, particularly valuations, in hedge funds through identifying ways of promoting effective functioning of independent third-party administrators. This was achieved through a case study approach using a South African leading administrator, Investment Data Services, as the object of study. The literature highlighted the changing functions of administrators, the challenges facing them and ways of addressing those challenges. The empirical study measured the extent of IDS’ valuation practices in managing operational risk in hedge funds. Four key members of IDS’ management team and one hedge fund manager with considerable insight were interviewed. The data obtained was then reduced into meaningful results. The empirical findings were compared with the theory provided in the literature scrutiny to identify ways of improving the valuation function. The conclusion was that the challenges faced by the administrator were addressed through proper independence, consistency and transparency of the valuation process. A crucial cog in IDS’ wheel is the employment of staff with the required technical skills to understand complex financial instruments. In addition, investment in advanced systems and technology is important in managing the risks involved. Consequently, IDS’ valuation practices can be used as template for other administrators in their efforts to manage the operational risks in hedge funds.

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