Appointment standard
For a regulated client, capability is only the starting point. The appointment also needs clear boundaries, competent delivery, controlled execution, usable evidence and continuing client oversight.
This framework explains how Eastern structures an engagement. The appointing institution remains responsible for its regulatory obligations and reserved decisions.
The control model
Eastern’s role is defined around a written mandate and a visible operating model. The client sets direction, approves reserved matters and challenges performance; Eastern coordinates delivery, records execution and escalates exceptions.
Request an appointment discussionBoard · senior management · authorised control owners
Entities · scope · exclusions
Owners · reviewers · specialists
Workflows · approvals · escalation
Records · reporting · follow-up
Six appointment tests
The exact diligence depends on the nature and materiality of the engagement. These are the questions the operating model is designed to answer.
The appointment identifies the entities, services, deliverables, data sources, dependencies, exclusions and reserved client decisions.
Engagement scope, responsibility matrix, service calendar and documented change control.
Responsible personnel and professional partners are selected for the work actually required, with regulated or jurisdiction-specific work kept with appropriately qualified providers.
Named delivery roles, relevant experience, professional-provider allocation and escalation contacts.
Material outputs move through documented preparation, review, approval and exception-handling steps rather than an informal task list.
Workflow records, review evidence, reconciliations, exception logs and approval trails.
Access, confidentiality, authorised data sources and document handling are agreed around the sensitivity of the engagement.
Confidentiality terms, access matrix, document protocol, incident contacts and retention responsibilities.
The client receives enough information to supervise the arrangement, challenge issues and retain responsibility for regulatory and reserved decisions.
Service reporting, open-item registers, management information, meeting cadence and escalation records.
The operating model anticipates staff changes, provider dependencies, business growth, incidents, transition and orderly exit.
Dependency map, continuity procedures, handover requirements, periodic review and exit assistance provisions.
Governance lifecycle
Diligence is not a one-time questionnaire. Scope, access, performance, issues and resilience need to remain visible throughout the engagement.
Confirm corporate standing, delivery capability, relevant experience, professional dependencies and potential conflicts.
Define the service perimeter, named owners, client-reserved decisions, review levels and external professional roles.
Establish data access, workpapers, calendars, approval routes, escalation thresholds and management reporting.
Deliver recurring work while retaining records of inputs, review, exceptions, decisions, outputs and follow-up.
Provide the client with timely service information and a direct route to question performance, risks and unresolved items.
Reassess materiality, scope, competence, continuity and exit readiness as the business or regulatory context changes.
Service boundary
The distinction between operational support and regulated decision-making is built into the engagement model.
Eastern's roleEastern may perform fund administration, accounting support, recordkeeping, reporting preparation, workflow coordination and related operational services within the agreed mandate.
Retained responsibilityThe client approves policies, material instructions, valuation decisions and other reserved matters.
Eastern's roleEastern may support policies, monitoring, registers, KYC workflows, regulatory calendars, reporting preparation, training and remediation coordination.
Retained responsibilityThe regulated entity, its board and senior management retain regulatory accountability and final decision authority.
Eastern's roleEastern may coordinate legal, audit, tax and other specialist work as the central service coordinator.
Retained responsibilityLegal opinions, statutory audit and regulated professional services remain with appropriately qualified or authorised providers.
Eastern's roleEastern may coordinate operational interfaces with managers, banks, brokers, custodians and other providers.
Retained responsibilityEastern is not appointed to provide discretionary fund management, investment or financial advice, dealing, arranging or placement activity unless separately authorised.
Appointment dossier
The form and availability of each item are confirmed during scoping. Any appointment dossier should match the service scope and the client’s due-diligence process; it is not a substitute for the client’s own assessment or approval.
Corporate identity, ownership and contracting entity
Service scope, exclusions and delivery-entity map
Named responsible personnel and relevant experience
Professional partner and subcontractor dependencies
Control, review and escalation description
Confidentiality, access and information-handling protocol
Business continuity, incident and key-person arrangements
Sample reporting, registers or workpaper structure
Conflicts, independence and complaints channels
Transition, record handover and orderly-exit provisions
Regulatory context
MAS regulates fund management as a capital-markets activity and provides licensing, conduct and compliance resources for fund managers. An outsourced operating arrangement should therefore preserve the regulated entity’s ability to oversee the work, obtain records, address issues and remain accountable.
The links above are provided for general reference. Engagement scope and regulatory treatment depend on the client’s facts and should be assessed with its legal and compliance advisers.
The appointment question
Because the appointment is framed around a specific mandate, transparent service boundaries, coordinated professional capability, documented controls and evidence that the client can oversee.
Review service capabilitiesStart the conversation
Tell us where you are today. We will help define the capabilities, professionals and next steps required.
Speak with our team