NICSA


is a nonprofit trade association providing forums for the development of operational best practices in the investment management industry.

Organization Overview

NICSA's focus is on the back office operations of the fund industry, namely shareholder service, fund accounting, investment operations and sales support. Many of its programs work to help the industry develop and codify best practices for complying with new laws and regulations.
Membership in NICSA is for all types of corporations playing a role in the investment management industry. Members include asset managers, custodian banks, transfer agents, audit firms, broker-dealers, consulting firms and technology firms.

Activities

NICSA organizes in-person conferences, featuring prominent industry executives, and webinars on topics of current interest. These events are planned by committees composed of volunteers from the industry.
Many of these committees also review best practices for the industry, particularly with regard to regulatory compliance. NICSA’s Transfer Agent Committee maintains the NICSA Transfer Agent Compliance Guide—a compendium of regulatory requirements and best practices for transfer agents, which keep shareholder records and provide customer service for mutual funds.
NICSA sponsors the Robert L. Gould Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in the mutual fund industry. The most recent winners of the award were Jennifer M. Johnson, Laurence D. Fink, John F. Cogan, Jr., John J. Brennan, Robert Reynolds and Robert C. Pozen. NICSA also sponsors a scholarship program for the children of associates of its member firms.

History

NICSA was founded in 1962 as an informal forum for operations and shareholder service professionals in the mutual fund industry, under the name National Investment Company Service Association.
Richard L. Casey of State Street Bank & Trust Company in Boston was its founder and first president. Edward D. Windsor of Fidelity Fund served as its first secretary, while John R. Vaughn, Jr. of Old Colony Trust Company was its first Treasurer.