What is co-sourcing and why are some insurers choosing a co-sourcing operating model?
Co-sourcing refers to an operating model that enables insurers to retain those functions that are core to their business with internal staff using vendor-provided software, while selectively outsourcing certain functions that could be better performed through improved technology, automated processes and/or external specialized expertise.
Insurers have traditionally licensed third-party software or built proprietary applications that are installed and managed locally. While cloud-based solutions are becoming more commonplace, moving from on-premise software to a fully-outsourced model is sometimes too drastic of a change on an insurer’s current operations and existing staff. Co-sourcing allows insurers to gradually ease into this transition taking into consideration their capacity constraints, strategic objectives and optionality to internalize or outsource more functions over time.
What are the benefits to co-sourcing?
Rigid, one-size-fits-all operating models don’t work for every insurer. Factors like size, investment portfolio complexity, jurisdiction, culture, and business line (Life, Health, P&C) may require varying accounting bases and methods, reporting requirements and timing of deliverables that align better with a more flexible and adaptable operating model. With co-sourcing, insurers can benefit from standardization and simplicity, while retaining flexibility to meet their unique needs today and as their business changes over time.
Take a closer look below at a number of ways you can co-source your investment operation model with SS&C, by functional area or asset type. If you would like to discuss your specific co-sourcing needs, please contact us.
Co-Sourcing by Business Function
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Technology & Infrastructure
- Hosting of Hardware & Software Applications
- Data Center & Private Cloud Security
- Maintenance & Upgrades
- SOC 1 Controls
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Interface Management
- Trade Order Management – Securities & Derivatives
- Order Execution – Bank Loans
- Investment Managers
- Custodians
- Pricing, Market Data, Ratings Agencies, Benchmarks
- General Ledger System(s)
- STAT Filing Software
- Data Warehouse
- Cash Management Systems
- Performance Measurement & Attribution Systems
- Internal Business Intelligence Tools
- External Client Reporting Systems
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Investment Accounting
- Accounting Basis Setup & Elections
- Accounting for Private/Complex Assets (Bank Loans, Derivatives, Mortgage Loans, Real Estate & Alternatives (PE/HFs)
- Running Accounting Updates
- Journal Entry/Accounting Adjustments
- Security Master Data Maintenance, Classifications & SVO Designations
- Daily & Monthly Reconciliations (Cash, Positions, Transactions & GL)
- Exceptions Management / Break Resolution
- Pricing Hierarchy, Valuation Policy & Ratings Data Validation
- Month-End Close Process, Sign-Off Values & Controls
- Accounting Reports (Trial Balance, GL, Income, Holdings, etc.)
Key Benefits
- Tailored month-end close process & reporting package
- Fully-reconciled general ledger
- Rigorous Valuation & Control Policies
- Timely, Accurate & Comprehensive Accounting Book of Record (ABOR)
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Middle Office Operations
- Trade Capture
- Trade Matching, Affirmation, Confirmation
- Valuations (Public & Private Investments)
- Pricing Hierarchy, Validation & Vendor Management
- Settlements
- Daily Tri-Party Reconciliations & Exceptions Management with Custodians and Asset Managers
- Collateral Management
- Voluntary Corporate Actions Processing
- Treasury, Cash Management, Wire Processing
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Private/Alt Fund & Doc Processing
- Document collection, classification & storage
- Cash flow processing
- Capital account valuations & estimates from managers
- Unfunded commitment reconciliation and reporting
- Industry, asset class and company-level look-through transparency
- Wire processing for fund investments, transfers and expenses
- Event notice processing & accounting (capital calls, distributions, etc.)
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Financial & Regulatory Reporting
- Quality Control Review of STAT Filings
- Quarterly & Annual NAIC Statutory Filings
- AVR/IMR Reporting
- Footnote Disclosures
- Supplemental Investment Risk Interrogatories (SIRI)
- Risk Based Capital (RBC) Reporting
- Ratings Agency Surveys
- Solvency II, BSCR/BMA, CIMA Reporting
- US Tax Accounting & Reporting
- External Client, Investor & Board Reporting
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Risk & Performance Analytics
- Performance Measurement & Attribution
- Custom Composites & Benchmark Analysis
- Asset-Liability Management (ALM)
- Shock, Stress-Test & Scenario Analysis
- Private Fund Performance Reporting
Co-Sourcing by Asset Type
- Daily Trade Capture & Cash Settlements
- Post-Trade Compliance
- Daily Reconciliation of Cash & Par to Custodians
- Exceptions Management, Break Research & Resolution
- Valuations & Hierarchies
- Security Master Updates
- Multi-Currency, Multi-Basis Investment Accounting
- Real-Time, Lot-Level General Ledger Entries
- Impairment Analytics & Support
- Audit & Survey Support
- Partnership Accounting Including Look-Through
- Storage & Maintenance of Non-Accounting Data on Underlying Assets
- Collection of Unstructured Data from Underlying Managers
- Waterfall Calculations & Allocations
- Document & Event Notice Management
- Treasury Support Including Cash Management & Wire Execution
- Collection of Real Estate/Property Management Data (fees, rents, etc.)
- Commitment Tracking & Reconciliation
- Tracking of Active & Potential Managers
- Tracking of Underlying Portfolio Company Data
- Performance Reporting on Alternative/LP Investments
- Property Fact Sheets & Investor Reporting
- Deal Pipeline Tracking (Origination, Closing, Transaction Management, etc.)
- Pre-Trade Compliance
- Servicing & Origination (Borrower & Lender Portals)
- Syndicate Book
- Upload & Reconciliation of Remittances & Transactions from 3rd Party Servicers
- Tracking of Asset Management Information (financials, appraisals & inspections)
- Loan Accounting Including Origination Fees
- Loan & Cash Administration
- Collateral Data Maintenance
- Asset Surveillance & Covenant Tracking
- Shadow Servicing & Agency Administration
- Taxes & Insurance Tracking & Reporting
- Loan & Portfolio Analytics
- Trade Capture
- Valuations
- Matching, Export & Confirmation
- Settlements
- Collateral Management & Margin Tracking
- Derivative Accounting & Reporting
- Hedge Programs & Effectiveness Testing
- Facility & Contract Tracking on Term Loans, Revolvers, Delayed Draws, etc.
- Cash Forecasting & Reconciliation
- Capture & Processing of Agent Bank Event Notices (Paydowns, Rate Resets)
- Rate, Spread & Fee Tracking
- Rollover Processing
- Syndicate Loan Accounting & Reporting
Avoiding Negative Yield: Flexible Co-Sourcing Models for Insurance Investment Operations
Join our host Stewart Foley, CFA, Managing Partner, InsuranceAUM.com and Scott Kurland, Managing Director SS&C Insurance Solutions, for an informative podcast discussion on how to optimize yield and increase margin with a bespoke and collaborative approach to technology and operational functions.