Hedge funds, aggressively managed collective investment schemes, invest private capital with the goal of maximizing the return on investment. Unlike mutual funds, hedge funds are generally unregulated. To be successful, a hedge fund requires two parties, investors and managers; however, managers will often employ a third party, consultants, to ensure that the fund is profitable.

Investors

Normally, hedge funds are open to a select number of investors, requiring a large preliminary investment. In the United States, hedge fund investors are required to have a net worth of one million dollars and earn a predetermined minimum amount of money annually.

Hedge fund managers

In addition to investors, hedge funds require managers. Hedge fund managers direct the investments in hedge funds and oversee current investments. Managing hedge funds can be lucrative, but managers must have a competitive advantage, an investment strategy, and a risk management strategy. To develop these plans, many hedge fund managers employ hedge fund consultants.

Hedge fund consultants

Hedge fund consultants specialize in working with managers to launch new funds and increase the profitability of current funds. Consultants often help with organizational planning, encouraging managers to develop a cash flow projection and reviewing compliance rules and regulations. They also discuss investor due diligence process preparation as well as service provider selection.

However, consultants’ services often extend beyond the hedge fund to the managers’ businesses. To assist managers in building successful businesses, hedge fund consultants often review the physical aspects of the businesses, including architectural considerations and real-estate sourcing strategies. If managers need to improve these areas, consultants will work with them to determine a strategy that works well for them. Because businesses thrive when their employees are satisfied, consultants often investigate hedge fund managers’ human resources departments and address any issues they observe.

Though working with consultants is beneficial for their hedge funds, managers should be cautious when selecting which consulting firm they want to work with; investment strategies often differ between firms, so before agreeing to work with consultants, managers should discuss their investment strategies and philosophies and ensure that they agree with the consultants’ views. If managers and consultants are of one accord in the handling of the mutual funds and businesses, both parties will profit well from the partnership.