IDEAS

Consultant Discretion: Assessing the Spectrum of Solutions

One of the biggest investment decisions a board will make is determining how much control they want the investment committee to have over managing assets. This choice hinges on what level of decision-making and execution the board wants the investment committee to handle internally vs. to outsource to an investment consultant.

The insourcing vs. outsourcing decision is not an either/or proposition. There is a spectrum of options available, allowing boards to determine what level of discretion is appropriate for their organization.

Factors Determining Discretion Outsourcing

The right level of involvement in investment decisions typically is a function of the organization’s:

Size

Investment Expertise

Allocations to alternative investments

Resources, staff and infrastructure

Discretion Given to Consultants

Traditional Consulting

Project-oriented approach driven by the client’s needs

Consultants

Help investment committee make informed decisions on manager search and special studies; provide portfolio monitoring and performance reporting

Investment Committee

Responsible for portfolio construction and implementation

Partial Discretionary

Collaborative approach between the client and consultant

Consultants

Assist with investment objectives and guidelines; provide portfolio monitoring and performance reporting

Investment Committee

Determines which investment decisions require approval

Collaborative Portfolio Management

Either party can be responsible for portfolio construction and implementation

Full Discretionary

Outsourced Chief Investment Office (OCIO) approach overseen by the client

Consultants

Responsible for asset allocation, manager due diligence and selection, risk management, and all other day-to-day tasks

Investment Committee

Focused on monitoring the big picture rather than day-to-day decisions

Determine Which Level of Discretion Is Right for Your Organization: To learn more about how to choose the right degree of discretion for your organization and how to get the most out of your consulting engagement, download our e-book, Non-Profit Board’s Guide to Building an Effective Investment Committee.

Determine Which Level of Discretion Is Right for Your Organization: To learn more about how to choose the right degree of discretion for your organization and how to get the most out of your consulting engagement, download our e-book, Non-Profit Board’s Guide to Building an Effective Investment Committee.