The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) has released a resource guide to assist fund companies in developing and maintaining proper business records.

Every organization has a responsibility to create, handle, maintain and destroy records associated with their business operations in a manner that complies with applicable laws, regulations and standards.

Published Wednesday, the resource guide is expected to provide industry participants with an overall understanding of document management principles, which will enhance compliance with various regulations and consistency within the industry.

“Document management is an integral component of a firm’s overall compliance structure,” says Patti Best, chair of IFIC’s Operations Working Group and vice president, dealer and advisor relations, Mackenzie Financial Corp. “As the investment industry association, IFIC’s role is to provide the tools necessary to enable its members, and the industry at large, to develop appropriate document management systems.”

In addition to providing an understanding of the key principles for document management, the resource guide is expected to:

> provide cost savings across the industry;
> reduce duplication;
> standardize back-office procedures;
> reduce the risk of privacy issues due to the over-retention of confidential records;
> ensure operational efficiency while factoring in risk mitigation; and
> enhance compliance with regulatory and self-regulatory organization requirements.

The resource guide is available on the IFIC website at www.ific.ca.