EXHIBIT 23(h)(1)(b)
FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this _________ day of _______________ ,______________ 2002,
between ________________ (the "Company"), a ______________________ having its
principal place of business at _________________________, and BISYS FUND
SERVICES OHIO, INC. ("Fund Accountant"), a corporation organized under the laws
of the State of Ohio and having its principal place of business at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
WHEREAS, the Company desires that Fund Accountant perform certain fund
accounting services for each investment portfolio of the Company, all as now or
hereafter may be established from time to time (individually referred to herein
as the "Fund" and collectively as the "Funds"); and
WHEREAS, Fund Accountant is willing to perform such services on the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and covenants
herein set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. Services as Fund Accountant.
(a) Maintenance of Books and Records. Fund Accountant will keep
and maintain the following books and records of each Fund
pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "Rule"):
(i) Journals containing an itemized daily record in detail
of all purchases and sales of securities, all receipts
and disbursements of cash and all other debits and
credits, as required by subsection (b)(1) of the Rule;
(ii) General and auxiliary ledgers reflecting all asset,
liability, reserve, capital, income and expense
accounts, including interest accrued and interest
received, as required by subsection (b)(2)(i) of the
Rule;
(iii) Separate ledger accounts required by subsection
(b)(2)(ii) and (iii) of the Rule; and
(iv) A monthly trial balance of all ledger accounts (except
shareholder accounts) as required by subsection (b)(8)
of the Rule.
(b) Performance of Daily Accounting Services. In addition to the
maintenance of the books and records specified above, Fund
Accountant shall perform the following accounting services
daily for each Fund:
(i) Calculate the net asset value per share utilizing
prices obtained from the sources described in
subsection 1(b)(ii) below;
(ii) Obtain security prices from independent pricing
services, or if such quotes are unavailable, then obtain
such prices from each Fund's investment adviser or its
designee, as approved by the Company's Board of Trustees
(hereafter referred to as the "Trustees");
(iii) Verify and reconcile with the Funds' custodian all
daily trade activity;
(iv) Compute, as appropriate, each Fund's net income and
capital gains, dividend payables, dividend factors,
7-day yields, 7-day effective yields, 30-day yields, and
weighted average portfolio maturity;
(v) Review daily the net asset value calculation and
dividend factor (if any) for each Fund prior to release
to shareholders, check and confirm the net asset values
and dividend factors for reasonableness and deviations,
and distribute net asset values and yields to NASDAQ;
(vi) Report to the Company the daily market pricing of
securities in any money market Funds, with the
comparison to the amortized cost basis;
(vii) Determine unrealized appreciation and depreciation on
securities held in variable net asset value Funds;
(viii) Amortize premiums and accrete discounts on securities
purchased at a price other than face value, if requested
by the Company;
(ix) Update fund accounting system to reflect rate changes,
as received from a Fund's investment adviser, on
variable interest rate instruments;
(x) Post Fund transactions to appropriate categories;
(xi) Accrue expenses of each Fund according to
instructions received from the Company's
Administrator;
(xii) Determine the outstanding receivables and payables for
all (1) security trades, (2) Fund share transactions and
(3) income and expense accounts;
(xiii) Provide accounting reports in connection with the
Company's regular annual audit and other audits and
examinations by regulatory
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agencies; and
(xiv) Provide such periodic reports as the parties shall agree
upon, as set forth in a separate schedule.
(c) Special Reports and Services.
(i) Fund Accountant may provide additional special reports
upon the request of the Company or a Fund's investment
adviser, which may result in an additional charge, the
amount of which shall be agreed upon between the
parties.
(ii) Fund Accountant may provide such other similar services
with respect to a Fund as may be reasonably requested by
the Company, which may result in an additional charge,
the amount of which shall be agreed upon between the
parties.
(d) Additional Accounting Services. Fund Accountant shall also
perform the following additional accounting services for each
Fund:
(i) Provide monthly a hard copy of the unaudited financial
statements described below, upon request of the Company.
The unaudited financial statements will include the
following items:
Unaudited Statement of Assets and Liabilities,
Unaudited Statement of Operations,
Unaudited Statement of Changes in Net Assets, and
Unaudited Condensed Financial Information;
(ii) Provide accounting information for the following:
(A) federal and state income tax returns and federal
excise tax returns;
(B) the Company's semi-annual reports with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form
N-SAR;
(C) the Company's annual, semi-annual and quarterly
(if any) shareholder reports;
(D) registration statements on Form N-1A and other
filings relating to the registration of shares;
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(E) the Administrator's monitoring of the Company's
status as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as
amended;
(F) annual audit by the Company's auditors; and
(G) examinations performed by the SEC.
2. Subcontracting.
Fund Accountant may, at its expense, subcontract with any entity or
person concerning the provision of the services contemplated hereunder;
provided, however, that Fund Accountant shall not be relieved of any of its
obligations under this Agreement by the appointment of such subcontractor and
provided further, that Fund Accountant shall be responsible, to the extent
provided in Section 7 hereof, for all acts of such subcontractor as if such acts
were its own.
3. Compensation.
The Company shall pay Fund Accountant for the services to be
provided by Fund Accountant under this Agreement in accordance with, and in the
manner set forth in the Omnibus Fee Agreement by and among the Company, BISYS
Fund Services Limited Partnership and Fund Accountant, dated as of
_____________________ (the "Fee Agreement").
4. Reimbursement of Expenses and Miscellaneous Service Fees.
(A) In addition to paying Fund Accountant the fees described in the Fee
Agreement, the Company agrees to reimburse Fund Accountant for its
out-of-pocket expenses in providing services hereunder, including without
limitation the following:
(a) All freight and other delivery and bonding charges incurred by
Fund Accountant in delivering materials to and from the Company;
(b) All direct telephone, telephone transmission and telecopy or other
electronic transmission expenses incurred by Fund Accountant in
communication with the Company, the Company's investment adviser or
custodian, dealers or others as required for Fund Accountant to
perform the services to be provided hereunder;
(c) The cost of microfilm or microfiche of records or other materials;
(d) All systems-related expenses associated with the provision of
special reports and services pursuant to Section 1(c) herein;
(e) Any expenses Fund Accountant shall incur at the written direction of
an officer of the Company thereunto duly authorized; and
(f) Any additional expenses reasonably incurred by Fund Accountant in
the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
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(B) In addition, BISYS shall be entitled to receive the following fees:
(a) Systems development fees billed at an hourly rate of $150 per hour,
as approved by the Company;
(b) Ad hoc reporting fees billed at an agreed upon rate; and
(c) Fees for pricing the securities of the Portfolios pursuant to
Section 1(b)(x) of this Agreement.
5. Effective Date.
This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund as of
the date first written above (or, if a particular Fund is not in existence on
that date, on the date such Fund commences operation) (the "Effective Date").
6. Term.
This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to a Fund,
unless earlier terminated by either party hereto as provided hereunder,
until ________________ , 2006 (the "Initial Term"). Thereafter, unless otherwise
terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall be renewed automatically for
successive one-year periods ("Rollover Periods"). This Agreement may be
terminated without penalty (i) by provision of a notice of nonrenewal in the
manner set forth below, (ii) by mutual agreement of the parties or (iii) for
"cause," as defined below, upon the provision of sixty (60) days advance written
notice by the party alleging cause. Written notice of nonrenewal must be
provided at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any
Rollover Period, as the case may be.
For purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean (a) a material
breach of this Agreement that has not been remedied for thirty (30) days
following written notice of such breach from the non-breaching party; (b) a
final, unappealable judicial, regulatory or administrative ruling or order in
which the party to be terminated has been found guilty of criminal or unethical
behavior in the conduct of its business; or (c) financial difficulties on the
part of the party to be terminated which are evidenced by the authorization or
commencement of, or involvement by way of pleading, answer, consent or
acquiescence in, a voluntary or involuntary case under Title 11 of the United
States Code, as from time to time is in effect, or any applicable law, other
than said Title 11, of any jurisdiction relating to the liquidation or
reorganization of debtors or to the modification or alteration of the rights of
creditors.
After such termination for so long as Fund Accountant, with the
written consent of the Company, in fact continues to perform any one or more of
the services contemplated by this Agreement or any schedule or exhibit hereto,
the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation the provisions
dealing with indemnification, shall continue in full force and effect.
Compensation due Fund Accountant and unpaid by the Company upon such termination
shall be
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immediately due and payable upon and notwithstanding such termination. Fund
Accountant shall be entitled to collect from the Company, in addition to the
compensation described the Fee Agreement and Section 4 hereof, the amount of all
of Fund Accountant's cash disbursements for services in connection with Fund
Accountant's activities in effecting such termination, including without
limitation, the delivery to the Company and/or its designees of the Company's
property, records, instruments and documents.
If, for any reason other than nonrenewal, mutual agreement of the
parties or "cause," as defined above, Fund Accountant is replaced as fund
accountant, or if a third party is added to perform all or a part of the
services provided by Fund Accountant under this Agreement (excluding any
sub-accountant appointed by Fund Accountant as provided in Section 2 hereof),
then the Company shall make a one-time cash payment, in consideration of the fee
structure and services to be provided under this Agreement, and not as a
penalty, to Fund Accountant equal to the balance due Fund Accountant for the
remainder of the then-current term of this Agreement, assuming for purposes of
calculation of the payment that such balance shall be based upon the average
amount of the Company's assets for the twelve months prior to the date Fund
Accountant is replaced or a third party is added.
In the event the Company is merged into another legal entity in part
or in whole pursuant to any form of business reorganization or is liquidated in
part or in whole prior to the expiration of the then-current term of this
Agreement, the parties acknowledge and agree that the liquidated damages
provision set forth above shall be applicable in those instances in which Fund
Accountant is not retained to provide fund accounting services consistent with
this Agreement. The one-time cash payment referenced above shall be due and
payable on the day prior to the first day in which Fund Accountant is replaced
or a third party is added.
The parties further acknowledge and agree that, in the event Fund
Accountant is replaced, or a third party is added, as set forth above, (i) a
determination of actual damages incurred by Fund Accountant would be extremely
difficult, and (ii) the liquidated damages provision contained herein is
intended to adequately compensate Fund Accountant for damages incurred and is
not intended to constitute any form of penalty.
7. Standard of Care; Reliance on Records and Instructions;
Indemnification.
Fund Accountant shall use its best efforts to insure the accuracy of
all services performed under this Agreement, but shall not be liable to the
Company for any action taken or omitted by Fund Accountant in the absence of bad
faith, willful misfeasance, negligence or from reckless disregard by it of its
obligations and duties. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Fund
Accountant, its employees, agents, directors, officers and nominees from and
against any and all claims, demands, actions and suits, whether groundless or
otherwise, and from and against any and all judgments, liabilities, losses,
damages, costs, charges, counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and
character arising out of or in any way relating to Fund Accountant's actions
taken or nonactions with respect to the performance of services under this
Agreement or based, if applicable, upon reasonable reliance on information,
records, instructions or requests given
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or made to Fund Accountant by a duly authorized representative of the Company;
provided that this indemnification shall not apply to actions or omissions of
Fund Accountant in cases of its own bad faith, willful misfeasance, negligence
or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties, and further
provided that prior to confessing any claim against it which may be the subject
of this indemnification, Fund Accountant shall give the Company written notice
of and reasonable opportunity to defend against said claim in its own name or in
the name of Fund Accountant.
8. Record Retention and Confidentiality.
Fund Accountant shall keep and maintain on behalf of the Company all
books and records which the Company and Fund Accountant is, or may be, required
to keep and maintain pursuant to any applicable statutes, rules and regulations,
including without limitation Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), relating to the maintenance of books
and records in connection with the services to be provided hereunder. Fund
Accountant further agrees that all such books and records shall be the property
of the Company and to make such books and records available for inspection by
the Company or by the Securities and Exchange Commission at reasonable times and
otherwise to keep confidential all books and records and other information
relative to the Company and its shareholders; except when requested to divulge
such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process.
9. Uncontrollable Events.
Fund Accountant assumes no responsibility hereunder, and shall not
be liable, for any damage, loss of data, delay or any other loss whatsoever
caused by events beyond its reasonable control.
10. Reports.
Fund Accountant will furnish to the Company and to its properly
authorized auditors, investment advisers, examiners, distributors, dealers,
underwriters, salesmen, insurance companies and others designated by the Company
in writing, such reports and at such times as are prescribed pursuant to the
terms and the conditions of this Agreement to be provided or completed by Fund
Accountant, or as subsequently agreed upon by the parties pursuant to an
amendment hereto. The Company agrees to examine each such report or copy
promptly and will report or cause to be reported any errors or discrepancies
therein.
11. Rights of Ownership.
All computer programs and procedures developed to perform services
required to be provided by Fund Accountant under this Agreement are the property
of Fund Accountant. All records and other data except such computer programs and
procedures are the exclusive property of the Company and all such other records
and data will be furnished to the Company in appropriate form as soon as
practicable after termination of this Agreement for any reason.
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12. Return of Records.
Fund Accountant may at its option at any time, and shall promptly
upon the Company's demand, turn over to the Company and cease to retain Fund
Accountant's files, records and documents created and maintained by Fund
Accountant pursuant to this Agreement which are no longer needed by Fund
Accountant in the performance of its services or for its legal protection. If
not so turned over to the Company, such documents and records will be retained
by Fund Accountant for six years from the year of creation. At the end of such
six-year period, such records and documents will be turned over to the Company
unless the Company authorizes in writing the destruction of such records and
documents.
13. Representations of the Company.
The Company certifies to Fund Accountant that: (1) as of the close
of business on the Effective Date, each Fund that is in existence as of the
Effective Date has authorized unlimited shares, and (2) this Agreement has been
duly authorized by the Company and, when executed and delivered by the Company,
will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general
application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties.
14. Representations of Fund Accountant.
Fund Accountant represents and warrants that: (1) the various
procedures and systems which Fund Accountant has implemented with regard to
safeguarding from loss or damage attributable to fire, theft, or any other cause
the records, and other data of the Company and Fund Accountant's records, data,
equipment facilities and other property used in the performance of its
obligations hereunder are adequate and that it will make such changes therein
from time to time as are required for the secure performance of its obligations
hereunder, and (2) this Agreement has been duly authorized by Fund Accountant
and, when executed and delivered by Fund Accountant, will constitute a legal,
valid and binding obligation of Fund Accountant, enforceable against Fund
Accountant in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the
rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties.
15. Insurance.
Fund Accountant shall maintain a fidelity bond covering larceny and
embezzlement and an insurance policy with respect to directors and officers
errors and omissions coverage in amounts that are appropriate in light of its
duties and responsibilities hereunder. Fund Accountant shall notify the Company
should any of its insurance coverage be canceled or reduced. Such notification
shall include the date of change and the reasons therefor. Fund Accountant shall
notify the Company of any material claims against it with respect to services
performed under this Agreement, whether or not they may be covered by insurance,
and shall notify the Company from
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time to time as may be appropriate of the total outstanding claims made by Fund
Accountant under its insurance coverage.
16. Information to be Furnished by the Company and Funds.
The Company has furnished to Fund Accountant the following:
(a) Copies of the Declaration of Trust of the Company and of any
amendments thereto, certified by the proper official of the
state in which such document has been filed.
(b) Copies of the following documents:
(i) The Company's Bylaws and any amendments thereto; and
(ii) Certified copies of resolutions of the Trustees covering
the approval of this Agreement, authorization of a
specified officer of the Company to execute and deliver
this Agreement and authorization for specified officers
of the Company to instruct Fund Accountant thereunder.
(c) A list of all the officers of the Company, together with
specimen signatures of those officers who are authorized to
instruct Fund Accountant in all matters.
(d) Two copies of the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional
Information for each Fund.
17. Information Furnished by Fund Accountant.
(a) Fund Accountant has furnished to the Company the following:
(i) Fund Accountant's Articles of Incorporation; and
(ii) Fund Accountant's Bylaws and any amendments thereto.
(b) Fund Accountant shall, upon request, furnish certified copies
of corporate actions covering the following matters:
(i) Approval of this Agreement, and authorization of a
specified officer of Fund Accountant to execute and
deliver this Agreement; and
(ii) Authorization of Fund Accountant to act as fund
accountant for the Company and to provide accounting
services for the Company.
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18. Amendments to Documents.
The Company shall furnish Fund Accountant written copies of any
amendments to, or changes in, any of the items referred to in Section 16 hereof
forthwith upon such amendments or changes becoming effective. In addition, the
Company agrees that no amendments will be made to the Prospectuses or Statements
of Additional Information of the Company which might have the effect of changing
the procedures employed by Fund Accountant in providing the services agreed to
hereunder or which amendment might affect the duties of Fund Accountant
hereunder unless the Company first obtains Fund Accountant's approval of such
amendments or changes.
19. Compliance with Law.
Except for the obligations of Fund Accountant set forth in Section 8
hereof, the Company assumes full responsibility for the preparation, contents
and distribution of each prospectus of the Company as to compliance with all
applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), the 1940 Act and any other laws, rules and regulations of
governmental authorities having jurisdiction. Fund Accountant shall have no
obligation to take cognizance of any laws relating to the sale of the Company's
shares. The Company represents and warrants that no shares of the Company will
be offered to the public until the Company's registration statement under the
Securities Act and the 1940 Act has been declared or becomes effective.
20. Notices.
Any notice provided hereunder shall be sufficiently given when sent
by registered or certified mail to the party required to be served with such
notice, at the following address: if to the Company, at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attn: __________; and if to Fund Accountant, at ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attn: President; or at such other address as
such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other party pursuant
to this Section.
21. Headings.
Paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for convenience
only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
22. Assignment.
This Agreement and the rights and duties hereunder shall not be
assignable with respect to a Fund by either of the parties hereto except by the
specific written consent of the other party. This Agreement shall be binding
upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.
23. Governing Law and Matters Relating to the Company as a
Business Trust.
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This Agreement shall be governed by and provisions shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. It is expressly
agreed that the obligations of the Company hereunder shall not be binding upon
any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of
the Company personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Company.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the
Trustees, and this Agreement has been signed and delivered by an authorized
officer of the Company, acting as such, and neither such authorization by the
Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have
been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them
personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Company as provided in
the Company's Declaration of Trust.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
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By:
Title:
BISYS FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC.
By:
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Title:
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