FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this ________ day of _________________________, between THE
COVENTRY GROUP (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust having its
principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000, and
BISYS FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC. ("Fund Accountant"), a corporation organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware and having its principal place of
business at 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000.
WHEREAS, the Trust desires that Fund Accountant perform and Fund
Accountant is willing to perform, certain fund accounting services for each
currently existing Kensington series of the Trust advised by Kensington
Investment Group and such additional series advised by Kensington Investment
Group as the Trust and Fund Accountant may agree on from time to time
(individually referred to herein as the "Fund" and collectively as the "Funds")
and as listed on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part of this Agreement,
on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, Fund Accountant is willing to perform such services on the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and covenants
herein set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. Services as Fund Accountant.
(a) Maintenance of Books and Records. Fund Accountant will keep
and maintain the following books and records of each Fund
pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "Rule"):
(i) Journals containing an itemized daily record in detail
of all purchases and sales of securities, all receipts
and disbursements of cash and all other debits and
credits, as required by subsection (b)(1) of the Rule;
(ii) General and auxiliary ledgers reflecting all asset,
liability, reserve, capital, income and expense
accounts, including interest accrued and interest
received, as required by subsection (b)(2)(I) of the
Rule;
(iii) Separate ledger accounts required by subsection
(b)(2)(ii) and (iii) of the Rule; and
(iv) A monthly trial balance of all ledger accounts (except
shareholder accounts) as required by subsection (b)(8)
of the Rule.
(b) Performance of Daily Accounting Services. In addition to the
maintenance of the books and records specified above, Fund
Accountant shall perform the following accounting services
daily for each Fund:
(i) Calculate the net asset value per share utilizing prices
obtained from the sources described in subsection
1(b)(ii) below;
(ii) Obtain security prices from independent pricing
services, or if such quotes are unavailable, then obtain
such prices from each Fund's investment adviser or its
designee, as approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees;
(iii) Verify and reconcile with the Funds' custodian all daily
trade activity;
(iv) Compute, as appropriate, each Fund's net income and
capital gains, dividend payables, dividend factors,
7-day yields, 7-day effective yields, 30-day yields, and
weighted average portfolio maturity;
(v) Review daily the net asset value calculation and
dividend factor (if any) for each Fund prior to release
to shareholders, check and confirm the net asset values
and dividend factors for reasonableness and deviations,
and distribute net asset values and yields to NASDAQ;
(vi) Report to the Trust the daily market pricing of
securities in any money market Funds, with the
comparison to the amortized cost basis;
(vii) Determine unrealized appreciation and depreciation on
securities held in variable net asset value Funds;
(viii)Amortize premiums and accrete discounts on securities
purchased at a price other than face value, if requested
by the Trust;
(ix) Update fund accounting system to reflect rate changes,
as received from a Fund's investment adviser, on
variable interest rate instruments;
(x) Post Fund transactions to appropriate categories;
(xi) Accrue expenses of each Fund according to instructions
received from the Trust's Administrator;
(xii) Determine the outstanding receivables and payables for
all (1) security trades, (2) Fund share transactions and
(3) income and expense accounts;
(xiii)Provide accounting reports in connection with the
Trust's regular annual audit and other audits and
examinations by regulatory agencies; and
(xiv) Provide such periodic reports as the parties shall agree
upon, as set forth in a separate schedule.
(c) Special Reports and Services.
(i) Fund Accountant may provide additional special reports
upon the request of the Trust or a Fund's investment
adviser, which may result in an additional charge, the
amount of which shall be agreed upon between the
parties.
(ii) Fund Accountant may provide such other similar services
with respect to a Fund as may be reasonably requested by
the Trust, which may result in an additional charge, the
amount of which shall be agreed upon between the
parties.
(d) Additional Accounting Services. Fund Accountant shall also
perform the following additional accounting services for each
Fund:
(i) Provide monthly a download (and hard copy thereof) of
the financial statements described below, upon request
of the Trust. The download will include the following
items:
Statement of Assets and Liabilities,
Statement of Operations,
Statement of Changes in Net Assets, and
Condensed Financial Information;
(ii) Provide accounting information for the following:
(A) federal and state income tax returns and federal
excise tax returns;
(B) the Trust's semi-annual reports with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on
Form N-SAR;
(C) the Trust's annual, semi-annual and quarterly (if
any) shareholder reports;
(D) registration statements on Form N-1A and other
filings relating to the registration of shares,
including Form 24F-2;
(E) the Administrator's monitoring of each Trust's
status as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as
amended;
(F) annual audit by the Trust's auditors; and
(G) examinations performed by the SEC.
2. Subcontracting.
Fund Accountant may, at its expense, subcontract with any entity or
person concerning the provision of the services contemplated hereunder;
provided, however, that Fund Accountant shall not be relieved of any of its
obligations under this Agreement by the appointment of such subcontractor and
provided further, that Fund Accountant shall be responsible, to the extent
provided in Section 7 hereof, for all acts of such subcontractor as if such acts
were its own.
3. Compensation.
The Trust shall pay Fund Accountant for the services to be provided
by Fund Accountant under this Agreement in accordance with, and in the manner
set forth in the Omnibus Fee Agreement between the Company and Fund Accountant
dated as of __________________________, 1999 (the "Fee Agreement").
4. Reimbursement of Expenses.
In addition to paying Fund Accountant the fees described in Section
3 hereof, the Trust agrees to reimburse Fund Accountant for its out-of-pocket
expenses in providing services hereunder, including without limitation the
following:
(a) All freight and other delivery and bonding charges incurred by
Fund Accountant in delivering materials to and from the Trust;
(b) All direct telephone, telephone transmission and telecopy or
other electronic transmission expenses incurred by Fund
Accountant in communication with the Trust, the Trust's
investment advisor or custodian, dealers or others as required
for Fund Accountant to perform the services to be provided
hereunder;
(c) The cost of obtaining security market quotes pursuant to
Section l (b)(ii) above;
(d) The cost of microfilm or microfiche of records or other
materials;
(e) Any expenses Fund Accountant shall incur at the written
direction of an officer of the Trust thereunto duly
authorized; and
(f) Any additional expenses reasonably incurred by Fund Accountant
in the performance of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.
5. Effective Date.
This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund as of
the date first written above (or, if a particular Fund is not in existence on
that date, on the date such Fund commences operation) (the "Effective Date").
6. Term.
This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to a Fund,
unless earlier terminated by either party hereto as provided hereunder, until
_____________, 2002 (the "Initial Term"). Thereafter, unless otherwise
terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall be renewed automatically for
successive one-year periods ("Rollover Periods"). This Agreement may be
terminated without penalty (i) by provision of a notice of nonrenewal in the
manner set forth below, (ii) by mutual agreement of the parties or (iii) for
"cause," as defined below, upon the provision of 60 days advance written notice
by the party alleging cause. Written notice of nonrenewal must be provided
within 60 days of the end of the Initial Term or any Rollover Period, as the
case may be.
For purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean (a) a material
breach if the Agreement that has not been cured within thirty (30) days
following written notice of such breach from the non-breaching party; (b) a
series of negligent acts or omissions or breaches of this Agreement which, in
the aggregate, constitute, in the reasonable judgment of the Company's Trustees,
a serious failure to perform satisfactorily Fund Accountant's obligations
hereunder; (c) a final, unappealable judicial, regulatory or administrative
ruling or order in which the party to be terminated has been found guilty of
criminal or unethical behavior in the conduct of its business; (d) financial
difficulties on the part of the party to be terminated which are evidenced by
the authorization or commencement of, or involvement by way of pleading, answer,
consent or acquiescence in, a voluntary or involuntary case under Title 11 of
the United States Code, as from time to time is in effect, or any applicable
law, other than said Title 11, of any jurisdiction relating to the liquidation
or reorganization of debtors or to the modification or alteration of the rights
of creditors; (e) any failure on the part of the Company to collect from the
investment adviser any payment or reimbursement that is due and payable by the
investment adviser to the Company (including an amount due the Company that
directly or indirectly represents amounts payable to the Fund Accountant in its
capacity as fund administrator to the Company) within 60 days following the due
date; or (f) any failure on the part of the Company to pay an amount that is due
and payable to the Fund Accountant or any of its affiliates under any other
agreement to which the Company is a party within 60 days following the due date.
For purposes of this definition of "cause," a material breach shall include, but
not be limited, any failure on the part of the Company to pay fees due or
reimburse expenses due and payable to the Fund Accountant pursuant to Sections 3
and 4 hereunder within 60 days following the due date.
After such termination for so long as Fund Accountant, with the
written consent of the Trust, in fact continues to perform any one or more of
the services contemplated by this Agreement or any schedule or exhibit hereto,
the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation the provisions
dealing with indemnification, shall continue in full force and effect.
Compensation due Fund Accountant and unpaid by the Trust upon such termination
shall be immediately due and payable upon and notwithstanding such termination.
Fund Accountant shall be entitled to collect from the Trust, in addition to the
compensation described under Section 3 hereof, the amount of all of Fund
Accountant's cash disbursements for services in connection with Fund
Accountant's activities in effecting such termination, including without
limitation, the delivery to the Trust and/or its designees of the Trust's
property, records, instruments and documents, or any copies thereof. Subsequent
to such termination, for a reasonable fee, Fund Accountant will provide the
Trust with reasonable access to any Trust documents or records remaining in its
possession.
If, for any reason other than the nonrenewal, mutual agreement of
the parties or "cause," as defined above, Fund Accountant is replaced as the
service provider under this Agreement, the Administration Agreement between the
parties dated as of _________________, 1999 or the Transfer Agency Agreement
between the parties dated as of ___________________, 1999 or if a third party is
added to perform all or a part of the services provided by Fund Accountant under
any of such agreements, then the Trust shall make a one-time cash payment, as
liquidated damages, to Fund Accountant equal to the balance due Fund Accountant
under the Fee Agreement for the lesser of (A) the next twelve months or (B) the
remainder of the then-current term of this Agreement, assuming for purposes of
calculation of the payment that such balance shall be based upon the average
amount of Fund assets and the average number of Fund shareholder accounts for
the twelve months prior to the date Fund Accountant is replaced or a third party
is added.
In the event the Funds are merged into another legal entity in part
or in whole pursuant to any form of business reorganization or are liquidated in
part or in whole prior to the expiration of the then-current term of this
Agreement, the parties acknowledge and agree that the liquidated damages
provision set forth above shall be applicable in those instances in which Fund
Accountant is not retained to provide fund accounting services consistent with
this Agreement. The one-time cash payment referenced above shall be due and
payable on the day prior to the first day during which assets are transferred
pursuant to the plan of reorganization or liquidation.
The parties further acknowledge and agree that, in the event Fund
Accountant ceases to be retained, as set forth above, (i) a determination of
actual damages incurred by Fund Accountant would be extremely difficult, and
(ii) the liquidated damages provision contained herein is intended to adequately
compensate Fund Accountant for damages incurred and is not intended to
constitute any form of penalty.
7. Standard of Care; Reliance on Records and Instructions;
Indemnification.
Fund Accountant shall use its best efforts to insure the accuracy of
all services performed under this Agreement, but shall not be liable to the
Trust for any action taken or omitted by Fund Accountant in the absence of bad
faith, willful misfeasance, negligence or from reckless disregard by it of its
obligations and duties. A Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Fund
Accountant, its employees, agents, directors, officers and nominees from and
against any and all claims, demands, actions and suits, whether groundless or
otherwise, and from and against any and all judgments, liabilities, losses,
damages, costs, charges, counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and
character arising out of or in any way relating to Fund Accountant's actions
taken or nonactions with respect to the performance of services under this
Agreement with respect to such Fund or based, if applicable, upon reasonable
reliance on information, records, instructions or requests with respect to such
Fund given or made to Fund Accountant by a duly authorized representative of the
Trust; provided that this indemnification shall not apply to actions or
omissions of Fund Accountant in cases of its own bad faith, willful misfeasance,
negligence or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties, and
further provided that prior to confessing any claim against it which may be the
subject of this indemnification, Fund Accountant shall give the Trust written
notice of and reasonable opportunity to defend against said claim in its own
name or in the name of Fund Accountant.
8. Record Retention and Confidentiality.
Fund Accountant shall keep and maintain on behalf of the Trust all
books and records which the Trust or Fund Accountant is, or may be, required to
keep and maintain pursuant to any applicable statutes, rules and regulations,
including without limitation Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), relating to the maintenance of books
and records in connection with the services to be provided hereunder. Fund
Accountant further agrees that all such books and records shall be the property
of the Trust and to make such books and records available for inspection by the
Trust or by the Securities and Exchange Commission at reasonable times and
otherwise to keep confidential all books and records and other information
relative to the Trust and its shareholders; except when requested to divulge
such information by duly-constituted authorities or court process.
9. Uncontrollable Events.
Fund Accountant assumes no responsibility hereunder, and shall not
be liable, for any damage, loss of data, delay or any other loss whatsoever
caused by events beyond its reasonable control.
10. Reports.
Fund Accountant will furnish to the Trust and to its properly
authorized auditors, investment advisers, examiners, distributors, dealers,
underwriters, salesmen, insurance companies and others designated by the Trust
in writing, such reports and at such times as are prescribed pursuant to the
terms and the conditions of this Agreement to be provided or completed by Fund
Accountant, or as subsequently agreed upon by the parties pursuant to an
amendment hereto. The Trust agrees to examine each such report or copy promptly
and will report or cause to be reported any errors or discrepancies therein no
later than three business days from the receipt thereof. In the event that
errors or discrepancies, except such errors and discrepancies as may not
reasonably be expected to be discovered by the recipient within ten days after
conducting a diligent examination, are not so reported within the aforesaid
period of time, a report will for all purposes be accepted by and binding upon
the Trust and any other recipient, and, except as provided in Section 7 hereof,
Fund Accountant shall have no liability for errors or discrepancies therein and
shall have no further responsibility with respect to such report except to
perform reasonable corrections of such errors and discrepancies within a
reasonable time after requested to do so by the Trust.
11. Rights of Ownership.
All computer programs and procedures developed to perform services
required to be provided by Fund Accountant under this Agreement are the property
of Fund Accountant. All records and other data except such computer programs and
procedures are the exclusive property of the Trust and all such other records
and data will be furnished to the Trust in appropriate form as soon as
practicable after termination of this Agreement for any reason.
12. Return of Records.
Fund Accountant may at its option at any time, and shall promptly
upon the Trust's demand, turn over to the Trust and cease to retain Fund
Accountant's files, records and documents created and maintained by Fund
Accountant pursuant to this Agreement which are no longer needed by Fund
Accountant in the performance of its services or for its legal protection. If
not so turned over to the Trust, such documents and records will be retained by
Fund Accountant for six years from the year of creation. At the end of such
six-year period, such records and documents will be turned over to the Trust
unless the Trust authorizes in writing the destruction of such records and
documents.
13. Representations of the Trust.
The Trust certifies to Fund Accountant that: (1) as of the close of
business on the Effective Date, each Fund that is in existence as of the
Effective Date has authorized unlimited shares, and (2) this Agreement has been
duly authorized by the Trust and, when executed and delivered by the Trust, will
constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable
against the Trust in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application
affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties.
14. Representations of Fund Accountant.
Fund Accountant represents and warrants that: (1) the various
procedures and systems which Fund Accountant has implemented with regard to
safeguarding from loss or damage attributable to fire, theft, or any other cause
the records, and other data of the Trust and Fund Accountant's records, data,
equipment facilities and other property used in the performance of its
obligations hereunder are adequate and that it will make such changes therein
from time to time as are required for the secure performance of its obligations
hereunder, and (2) this Agreement has been duly authorized by Fund Accountant
and, when executed and delivered by Fund Accountant, will constitute a legal,
valid and binding obligation of Fund Accountant, enforceable against Fund
Accountant in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the
rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties.
15. Insurance.
Fund Accountant shall notify the Trust should any of Fund
Accountant's insurance coverage be canceled or reduced. Such notification shall
include the date of change and the reasons therefor. Fund Accountant shall
notify the Trust of any material claims against Fund Accountant with respect to
services performed under this Agreement, whether or not they may be covered by
insurance, and shall notify the Trust from time to time as may be appropriate of
the total outstanding claims made by Fund Accountant under its insurance
coverage.
16. Information to be Furnished by the Trust and Funds.
The Trust has furnished to Fund Accountant the following:
(a) Copies of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust and of any
amendments thereto, certified by the proper official of the
state in which such document has been filed.
(b) Copies of the following documents:
(i) The Trust's Bylaws and any amendments thereto; and
(ii) Certified copies of resolutions of the Board of Trustees
covering the approval of this Agreement, authorization
of a specified officer of the Trust to execute and
deliver this Agreement and authorization for specified
officers of the Trust to instruct Fund Accountant
thereunder.
(c) A list of all the officers of the Trust, together with
specimen signatures of those officers who are authorized to
instruct Fund Accountant in all matters.
(d) Two copies of the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional
Information for each Fund.
17. Information Furnished by Fund Accountant.
(a) Fund Accountant has furnished to the Trust the following:
(i) Fund Accountant's Articles of Incorporation; and
(ii) Fund Accountant's Bylaws and any amendments thereto.
(b) Fund Accountant shall, upon request, furnish certified copies
of corporate actions covering the following matters:
(i) Approval of this Agreement, and authorization of a
specified officer of Fund Accountant to execute and
deliver this Agreement; and
(ii) Authorization of Fund Accountant to act as fund
accountant for the Trust and to provide accounting
services for the Trust.
18. Amendments to Documents.
The Trust shall furnish Fund Accountant written copies of any
amendments to, or changes in, any of the items referred to in Section 16 hereof
forthwith upon such amendments or changes becoming effective. In addition, the
Trust agrees that no amendments will be made to the Prospectuses or Statements
of Additional Information of the Trust which might have the effect of changing
the procedures employed by Fund Accountant in providing the services agreed to
hereunder or which amendment might affect the duties of Fund Accountant
hereunder unless the Trust first obtains Fund Accountant's approval of such
amendments or changes.
19. Compliance with Law.
Except for the obligations of Fund Accountant set forth in Sections
1 and 8 hereof, the Trust assumes full responsibility for the preparation,
contents and distribution of each prospectus of the Trust as to compliance with
all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), the 1940 Act and any other laws, rules and regulations of
governmental authorities having jurisdiction. Fund Accountant shall have no
obligation to take cognizance of any laws relating to the sale of the Trust's
shares. The Trust represents and warrants that no shares of the Trust will be
offered to the public until the Trust's registration statement under the
Securities Act and the 1940 Act has been declared or becomes effective.
20. Notices.
Any notice provided hereunder shall be sufficiently given when sent
by registered or certified mail to the party required to be served with such
notice, at the following address: 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000, or at
such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other party pursuant to this Section.
21. Headings.
Paragraph headings in this Agreement are included for convenience
only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
22. Assignment.
This Agreement and the rights and duties hereunder shall not be
assignable with respect to a Fund by either of the parties hereto except by the
specific written consent of the other party. This Agreement shall be binding
upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.
23. Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and provisions shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
24. Limitation of Liability of the Trustees and Shareholders.
It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder
shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers,
agents or employees of the Trust personally, but shall bind only the trust
property of the Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been
authorized by the Trustees, and this Agreement has been signed and delivered by
an authorized officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such
authorization by the Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer
shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any
liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of
the Trust as provided in the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
THE COVENTRY GROUP
By:______________________________
Title:---------------------------
BISYS FUND SERVICES OHIO, INC.
By:------------------------------
