EXHIBIT 9-E
ACCOUNTING SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of September 5, 1995 by and between ASTRA
STRATEGIC INVESTMENT SERIES, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), and
PFPC Inc., a Delaware corporation ("PFPC"), which is an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of PNC Bank Corp.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain PFPC to provide accounting services to
its investment portfolios listed on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part
hereof, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to time (each a "Portfolio"),
and PFPC wishes to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS AGREEMENT:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(c) "Authorized Person" means any officer of the Fund and any other person
duly authorized by the Fund's Board of Trustees to give Oral and Written
Instructions on behalf of the Fund and listed on the Authorized Persons Appendix
attached hereto and made a part
hereof or any amendment thereto as may be received by PFPC. An Authorized
Person's scope of authority may be limited by the Fund by setting forth such
limitation in the Authorized Persons Appendix.
(d) "CEA" means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended.
(e) "Oral Instructions" mean oral instructions received by PFPC from an
Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by PFPC to be an
Authorized Person.
(f) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(g) "Securities Laws" means the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and
the CEA.
(h) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest of any series or class
of the Fund.
(i) "Written Instructions" mean written instructions signed by an
Authorized Person and received by PFPC. The instructions may be delivered by
hand, mail, tested telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC to provide accounting
services to the each of the Portfolios, in accordance with the terms set forth
in this Agreement. PFPC accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such
services.
3. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Fund has provided or, where applicable, will
provide PFPC with the following:
(a) certified or authenticated copies of the resolutions of the Fund's
Board of Trustees, approving the appointment of PFPC or its affiliates
to provide services to each Portfolio and approving this Agreement;
(b) a copy of Fund's most recent effective registration statement;
(c) a copy of each Portfolio's advisory agreement or agreements;
(d) a copy of the distribution agreement with respect to each class of
Shares
2
representing an interest in a Portfolio;
(e) a copy of any additional administration agreement with respect to a
Portfolio;
(f) a copy of any shareholder servicing agreement made in respect of the
Fund or a Portfolio; and
(f) copies (certified or authenticated, where applicable) of any and all
amendments or supplements to the foregoing.
4. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS.
PFPC undertakes to comply with all applicable requirements of the
Securities Laws, and any laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities
having jurisdiction with respect to the duties to be performed by PFPC
hereunder. Except as specifically set forth herein, PFPC assumes no
responsibility for such compliance by the Fund or any Portfolio.
5. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC shall act only upon
Oral and Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral and Written Instructions
it receives from an Authorized Person (or from a person reasonably believed by
PFPC to be an Authorized Person) pursuant to this Agreement. PFPC may assume
that any Oral or Written Instruction received hereunder is not in any way
inconsistent with the provisions of organizational documents or this Agreement
or of any vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund's Board of Trustees or of
the Fund's shareholders, unless and until PFPC receives Written Instructions to
the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Written Instructions confirming Oral
Instructions (except where such Oral Instructions are given by PFPC or its
affiliates) so that PFPC receives the Written Instructions by the close of
business on the same day that such Oral
3
Instructions are received. The fact that such confirming Written Instructions
are not received by PFPC shall in no way invalidate the transactions or
enforceability of the transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions. Where
Oral or Written Instructions reasonably appear to have been received from an
Authorized Person, PFPC shall incur no liability to the Fund in acting upon such
Oral or Written Instructions provided that PFPC's actions comply with the other
provisions of this Agreement.
6. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE.
(a) Advice of the Fund. If PFPC is in doubt as to any action it should or
should not take, PFPC may request directions or advice, including Oral or
Written Instructions, from the Fund.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PFPC shall be in doubt as to any question of law
pertaining to any action it should or should not take, PFPC may request advice
at its own cost from such counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for
the Fund, the Fund's investment adviser or PFPC, at the option of PFPC).
(c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between directions,
advice or Oral or Written Instructions PFPC receives from the Fund and the
advice PFPC receives from counsel, PFPC may rely upon and follow the advice of
counsel. In the event PFPC so relies on the advice of counsel, PFPC remains
liable for any action or omission on the part of PFPC which constitutes willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard by PFPC of any
duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.
(d) Protection of PFPC. PFPC shall be protected in any action it takes or
does not
4
take in reliance upon directions, advice or Oral or Written Instructions it
receives from the Fund or from counsel and which PFPC believes, in good faith,
to be consistent with those directions, advice and Oral or Written Instructions.
Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to impose an obligation upon
PFPC (i) to seek such directions, advice or Oral or Written Instructions, or
(ii) to act in accordance with such directions, advice or Oral or Written
Instructions unless, under the terms of other provisions of this Agreement, the
same is a condition of PFPC's properly taking or not taking such action. Nothing
in this subsection shall excuse PFPC when an action or omission on the part of
PFPC constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard by PFPC of any duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in
this Agreement.
7. RECORDS; VISITS.
(a) The books and records pertaining to the Fund and the Portfolios which
are in the possession or under the control of PFPC shall be the property of the
Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the
1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. The Fund
and Authorized Persons shall have access to such books and records at all times
during PFPC's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund,
copies of any such books and records shall be provided by PFPC to the Fund or to
an Authorized Person, at the Fund's expense.
(b) PFPC shall keep the following records:
(i) all books and records with respect to each Portfolio's books of
account;
(ii) records of each Portfolio's securities transactions;
(iii) all other books and records as PFPC is required to maintain
pursuant to Rule 31a-1 of the 1940 Act in connection with the
services provided hereunder.
5
8. CONFIDENTIALITY. PFPC agrees on its own behalf and that of its employees
to keep confidential all records of the Fund and information relating to the
Fund and its shareholders (past, present and future), unless the release of such
records or information is otherwise consented to, in writing, by the Fund. The
Fund agrees that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be
withheld where PFPC may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings or
when required to divulge such information or records to duly constituted
authorities.
9. LIAISON WITH ACCOUNTANTS. PFPC shall act as liaison with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall provide account analyses, fiscal year
summaries, and other audit-related schedules with respect to each Portfolio.
PFPC shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its duties under
this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is made available to
such accountants for the expression of their opinion, as required by the Fund.
10. DISASTER RECOVERY. PFPC shall enter into and shall maintain in effect
with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provisions for
emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent appropriate
equipment is available. In the event of equipment failures, PFPC shall, at no
additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize service
interruptions. PFPC shall have no liability with respect to the loss of data or
service interruptions caused by equipment failure, provided such loss or
interruption is not caused by PFPC's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this
Agreement.
11. COMPENSATION. As compensation for services rendered by PFPC during the
6
term of this Agreement, the Fund, on behalf of each Portfolio, will pay to PFPC
a fee or fees as may be agreed to in writing by the Fund and PFPC.
12. INDEMNIFICATION. The Fund, on behalf of each Portfolio, agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless PFPC and its affiliates from all taxes, charges,
expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities (including, without limitation,
liabilities arising under the Securities Laws and any state or foreign
securities and blue sky laws, and amendments thereto), and expenses, including
(without limitation) attorneys' fees and disbursements arising directly or
indirectly from any action or omission to act which PFPC takes (i) at the
request or on the direction of or in reliance on the advice of the Fund or (ii)
upon Oral or Written Instructions. Neither PFPC, nor any of its affiliates',
shall be indemnified against any liability (or any expenses incident to such
liability) arising out of PFPC's or its affiliates' own willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations
under this Agreement. Any amounts payable by the Fund hereunder shall be
satisfied only against the relevant Portfolio's assets and not against the
assets of any other investment portfolio of the Fund.
13. RESPONSIBILITY OF PFPC.
(a) PFPC shall be under no duty to take any action on behalf of the Fund or
any Portfolio except as specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically
agreed to by PFPC in writing. PFPC shall be obligated to exercise care and
diligence in the performance of its duties hereunder, to act in good faith and
to use its best efforts, within reasonable limits, in performing services
provided for under this Agreement. PFPC shall be liable for any damages arising
out of PFPC's failure to perform its duties under this Agreement to the extent
such damages arise out of PFPC's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless
7
disregard of such duties.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any other
provision of this Agreement, (i) PFPC shall not be liable for losses beyond its
control, provided that PFPC has acted in accordance with the standard of care
set forth above; and (ii) PFPC shall not be liable for (A) the validity or
invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any Oral or Written Instruction,
notice or other instrument which conforms to the applicable requirements of this
Agreement, and which PFPC reasonably believes to be genuine; or (B) subject to
Section 10, delays or errors or loss of data occurring by reason of
circumstances beyond PFPC's control, including acts of civil or military
authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, flood, catastrophe,
acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation,
communication or power supply.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
PFPC nor its affiliates shall be liable to the Fund or to any Portfolio for any
consequential, special or indirect losses or damages which the Fund or any
Portfolio may incur or suffer by or as a consequence of PFPC's or any
affiliate's performance of the services provided hereunder, whether or not the
likelihood of such losses or damages was known by PFPC or its affiliates.
14. DESCRIPTION OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.
PFPC will perform the following accounting services with respect to each
Portfolio:
(i) Journalize investment, capital share and income and expense
activities;
(ii) Verify investment buy/sell trade tickets when received from the
investment adviser for a Portfolio (the "Adviser") and transmit
trades to the Fund's custodian (the "Custodian") for proper
settlement;
(iii) Maintain individual ledgers for investment securities;
8
(iv) Maintain historical tax lots for each security;
(v) Reconcile cash and investment balances of the Fund with the
Custodian, and provide the Adviser with the beginning cash
balance available for investment purposes;
(vi) Update the cash availability throughout the day as required by
the Adviser;
(vii) Post to and prepare the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and
the Statement of Operations;
(viii) Calculate various contractual expenses (e.g., advisory and
custody fees);
(ix) Monitor the expense accruals and notify an officer of the Fund of
any proposed adjustments;
(x) Control all disbursements and authorize such disbursements upon
Written Instructions;
(xi) Calculate capital gains and losses;
(xii) Determine net income;
(xiii) Obtain security market quotes from independent pricing services
approved by the Adviser, or if such quotes are unavailable, then
obtain such prices from the Adviser, and in either case calculate
the market value of each Portfolio's Investments;
(xiv) Transmit or mail a copy of the daily portfolio valuation to the
Adviser;
(xv) Compute net asset value;
(xvi) As appropriate, compute yields, total return, expense ratios,
portfolio turnover rate, and, if required, portfolio average
dollar-weighted maturity; and
(xvii) Prepare a monthly financial statement, which will include the
following items:
Schedule of Investments
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Statement of Operations
9
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Cash Statement
Schedule of Capital Gains and Losses.
15. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall continue until
terminated by either party on sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other
party.
16. NOTICES. All notices and other communications, including Written
Instructions, shall be in writing or by confirming telegram, cable, telex or
facsimile sending device. If notice is sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex
or facsimile sending device, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately.
If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given
three days after it has been mailed. If notice is sent by messenger, it shall be
deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered. Notices shall be addressed
(a) if to PFPC, at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000; (b) if to
the Fund, at Astra Management Corp., Symphony Towers, 000 X Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000,
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000; or (c) if to neither of the foregoing, at such other
address as shall have been provided by like notice to the sender of any such
notice or other communication by the other party.
17. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed or
waived only by written amendment, signed by the party against whom enforcement
of such change or waiver is sought.
18. DELEGATION; ASSIGNMENT. PFPC may assign its rights and delegate its
duties hereunder to any wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of PNC Bank,
National Association or PNC Bank Corp., provided that (i) PFPC gives the Fund
thirty (30) days' prior written notice; (ii) the delegate (or assignee) agrees
with PFPC and the Fund to comply with all relevant provisions of the 1940 Act;
and (iii) PFPC and such delegate (or assignee) promptly provide such information
as the Fund may request, and respond to such questions as
10
the Fund may ask, relative to the delegation (or assignment), including (without
limitation) the capabilities of the delegate (or assignee).
19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
20. FURTHER ACTIONS. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.
21. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, provided that the parties
may embody in one or more separate documents their agreement, if any, with
respect to delegated duties and Oral Instructions.
(b) Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience
of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof
or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in
Delaware and governed by Delaware law, without regard to principles of conflicts
of law.
(d) Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or
made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of
this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.
11
(f) Facsimile Signatures. The facsimile signature of any party to this
Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.
12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
PFPC INC.
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXX
--------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President
ASTRA STRATEGIC INVESTMENT SERIES
By: /s/ XXXX X. XXXXXXXX
--------------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer
13
EXHIBIT A
THIS EXHIBIT A, dated as of __________________, 1995, is Exhibit A to that
certain Accounting Services Agreement dated as of__________________, 1995
between PFPC Inc. and Astra Strategic Investment Series.
PORTFOLIOS
Astra Adjustable Rate Securities Trust I
Astra Adjustable Rate Securities Trust I-A
Astra Adjustable Rate Securities Trust II
Astra Adjustable Rate Securities Trust III
Astra Adjustable Rate Securities Trust IV
Astra Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Trust I
Astra Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Trust I-A
Astra Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Trust II
Astra Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Trust III
Astra Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Trust IV
14
AUTHORIZED
NAME (TYPE) SIGNATURE
--------------------------- ---------------------------
--------------------------- ---------------------------
--------------------------- ---------------------------
--------------------------- ---------------------------
--------------------------- ---------------------------
--------------------------- ---------------------------
15
