FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this 1st day of October, 1996, between THE EMPIRE
BUILDER TAX FREE BOND FUND (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust
having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000, and BISYS FUND SERVICES, 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 certain fund
accounting services for each investment portfolio of the Trust, all as now or
hereafter may be established from time to time (individually referred to
herein as the "Fund" and collectively as the "Funds"); 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; Conversion to Services.
The Trust hereby engages Fund Accountant to perform fund accounting
services as set forth in this Section 1 (collectively, the "Services"), and,
in connection therewith, the Trust agrees to convert to Fund Accountant's data
processing systems and software (the "BISYS System") as necessary in order to
receive the Services. The Trust shall cooperate with Fund Accountant to
provide Fund Accountant with all necessary information and assistance required
to successfully convert to the BISYS System. Fund Accountant shall provide the
Trust with a schedule relating to such conversion and the parties agree that the
conversion may progress in stages. The date upon which all Services shall have
been converted to the BISYS System shall be referred to herein as the
"Conversion Date." Fund Accountant hereby accepts such engagement and agrees
to perform the Services commencing, with respect to each individual Service,
on the date that the conversion of such Service to the BISYS System has been
completed. Fund Accountant shall determine in accordance with its normal
acceptance procedures when the applicable Service has been successfully
converted.
(a) Maintenance of Books and Records. Fund Accountant will keep
and maintain the following books and records of each Fund
pursuant to Rule 3la-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)(l) 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 l(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 Fund's custodian all
daily trade activity;
(iv) Compute, as appropriate, each Fund's net income and
capital gains, dividend payables, dividend factors,
30-day yields, including tax equivalent 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;
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(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;
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(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;
(E) the Administrator's monitoring of the 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 6 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, Schedule A hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time.
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:
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(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.
6. Term.
The initial term of this Agreement (the "Initial Term") shall be
for a period commencing on the date this Agreement is executed by both parties
and ending on the date that is one year after the Conversion Date. This
Agreement shall be renewed automatically for successive one-year terms unless
written notice not to renew is given by the non-renewing party to the other
party at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term;
provided, however, that 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.
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In the event of a material breach of this Agreement by either
party, the non-breaching party shall notify the breaching party in writing of
such breach and, upon receipt of such notice, the breaching party shall have
45 days to remedy the breach. In the event the breach is not remedied within
such time period, the nonbreaching party may immediately terminate this
Agreement.
If, for any reason other than a breach of this Agreement, Fund
Accountant is replaced as Fund Accountant, or if a third party is added to
perform all or a part of the services provided by Fund Accountant under this
Agreement (excluding any sub-accountant appointed by Fund Accountant as
provided in Section 2 hereof), then the Trust shall make a one-time cash
payment, as liquidated damages, to Fund Accountant equal to the balance due
Fund Accountant for the remainder of the term of this Agreement, assuming for
purposes of calculation of the payment that the asset level of the Trust on the
date Fund Accountant is replaced, or a third party is added, will remain
constant for the balance of the contract term.
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 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 (including actions or omissions by its employees,
agents, directors, officers or nominees) in cases of its own bad faith, willful
misfeasance, negligence or 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 and 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
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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.
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 each Conversion Date, each Fund that is in existence as of the
Conversion Date has authorized unlimited shares, and (2) this Agreement has
been duly authorized by the Trust and, when executed and
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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 its 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 it 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 the ??????????
authorization of a specified officer of the
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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
Section 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
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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 and Matters Relating to the Trust as a
Massachusetts Business Trust.
This Agreement shall be governed by and provisions shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. 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 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.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
THE EMPIRE BUILDER TAX FREE
BOND FUND
By:___________________________________
Attest:_______________________________
BISYS FUND SERVICES, INC.
By:___________________________________
President
Attest:_______________________________
Assistant Secretary
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Dated: October 1, 1996
SCHEDULE A
TO THE FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE EMPIRE BUILDER TAX FREE BOND FUND
AND
BISYS FUND SERVICES, INC.
FEES
Fund Accountant shall be entitled to receive a fee from each Fund in
accordance with the following schedule:
$2,500
Multiple Classes of Shares:
THE EMPIRE BUILDER TAX FREE BISYS FUND SERVICES, INC.
BOND FUND
By:_____________________________ By:____________________________
President
A-l
