Monthly Archives: January 2009

Hedge Fund Audits Post Madoff

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Hedge Fund Audits Expected to Increase in Importance

The Madoff scandal has shown the hedge fund industry many things, not the least of which is the importance of hedge fund audits.  While the details of Madoff’s audits are still a little unclear, it has been widely reported that the audit firm he used was a little known shop which is tightlipped.  This article investigates reaction of hedge fund investors with regard to hedge fund audits going forward.  (Please note, the Maddoff investment firm was not a hedge fund; however, the scandal will likely have a great influence on hedge fund due diligence and audit standards.) Continue reading →

Virginia Hedge Fund Law

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Starting a hedge fund in Virginia

Those hedge fund managers who are starting a hedge fund in Virginia can potentially fit within an exemption from the Virginia investment advisor registration rules.  Like many states which follow the Uniform Securities Act, investment advisors with a place of business in Virginia must register with the securities division (see FAQs below on Virginia investment advisor registration).

However, managers who have funds which start out with more than $5 million in assets, and which are exempt from investment advisor registration with the SEC, may be able to fit within an exclusion from the definition of the term investment advisor and thus not required to be registered with Virginia.  We provide the statute and analysis below. Continue reading →

SEC Stands Behind “Fair Value” Accounting

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FASB may re-evaluate FAS 157 in light of recent market events

While the SEC does not directly control the manner in which hedge fund assets are valued for the purpose of striking a NAV for a fund, the SEC valuation policies are important for hedge funds in a number of different ways.  Maybe most important is that the SEC valuation guidelines require issuers of securities to adhere to certain valuation practices with regard to their own assets.  Recently Congress mandated the SEC reevaluate its valuation guidelines in light of the market collapse of 2008. Continue reading →

Hedge Fund Disclaimer

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How to write a hedge fund disclaimer

One of the more unusual requests (in my opinion) that we receive on this site is how to write a hedge fund disclaimer.  I think that this is unusual because I would assume that most hedge fund managers would want to make sure that anything with a disclaimer has been reviewed and approved by a hedge fund attorney.  If you are a manager who is looking for an “off the shelf” disclaimer, I recommend that you speak with a hedge fund attorney instead.  Any hedge fund marketing or promotional materials (including hedge fund websites) should be reviewed by an attorney prior to publishing or dissemination. Continue reading →

How to Invest in a Hedge Fund

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Hedge Fund Investors Guide

Many potential hedge fund investors come to this website for information on how to invest in a hedge fund.  While there are many headlines and resources for hedge fund managers, there are fewer resources out there for hedge fund investors.  This article will provide an overview of how to go about investing in a hedge fund. Continue reading →

North Carolina Hedge Fund Law

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Starting a hedge fund in North Carolina

The North Carolina Securities Division has a very good website which provides great information for managers based in North Carolina.  Unlike many securities divisions, it informs the public when new securities rules are proposed and provides links to the proposed rules.  The site also has a very good FAQ section for start up hedge fund managers in North Carolina.  We’ve posted the FAQ section below for your information.  If you have any questions starting a hedge fund in North Carolina, please contact us discuss with a hedge fund attorney.  Other related hedge fund law articles include: Continue reading →

Can a hedge fund value its own assets?

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Hedge Fund Questions

For the new year we will publish a list of common questions we receive from our readers.  This question involves hedge fund valuation.

Question: Can a hedge fund provide its own valuation?

Answer: Generally yes, provided that the hedge fund offering documents state that the valuation of the hedge fund’s assets will be conducted by the fund – more specifically by the hedge fund’s management company.  In many hedge fund documents a provision which allows a manager flexibility in valuation is standard – although, it is likely that these normally nebulous provisions will become more specific as institutional investors require greater specificity in the offering documents. Continue reading →

Hedge Funds, Congress and Madoff

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The Madoff scandal, which caught the SEC and savy institutional investors flat-footed, is increasing the pressure for more oversight and regulation within investment management and hedge fund industries.   It is expected that Congress will be busy with this and other matters regarding regulation of the capital markets.  In fact, Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa recently announced his intention to require hedge fund registration at the SEC level.

In addition to Grassley, two more members of Congress are calling on greater oversight in the wake of the Madoff scandal.  Specifically Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski from Pennsylvania and Congressman Spencer Bachus from Alabama are calling on the House Financial Services Committee to hold hearings on the Madoff scanal.  I have reprinted the two notices below.  We will continue to provide information on possible hedge fund registration as it comes forward.  Related hedge fund law and registration articles include: Continue reading →

Idaho Hedge Fund Law

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Idaho has another well run securities division and their website is particularly helpful.  The information below comes from their website and describes the major laws that hedge fund managers in Idaho need to be concerned about.  The information is applicable to traditional securities-only hedge fund managers (with regard to investment advisor registration) and also to forex hedge fund managers.  Like many states Iowa has enacted a commodity code which may apply to forex managers depending on the nature of the manager’s forex program.  Continue reading →

Iowa Hedge Fund Law – Starting a Hedge Fund in Iowa

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Iowa has a very good securities division which is familiar with the rules regarding hedge fund private placements.  The notice below was provided by Iowa’s securities division to inform entities engaging in private placements the specific rules applicable to Iowa.  Notice like this is invaluable to start up hedge funds as it will help the manager to know what exactly the rules are in Iowa.  As we’ve noted in other articles (Overview of Regulation D for Hedge Funds), each state will have different rules regarding Rule 506 offerings which most all hedge funds utilize.  Of great importance for hedge fund managers, the letter below discusses how non-accredited investors should be treated for the purpose of Iowa. Continue reading →