In the evolving landscape of private markets, GPs face an increasing burden from a growing maze of fund administrators, disparate systems, and regulatory demands. These complexities lead GPs to take matters into their own hands, embarking on shadow accounting and manual data management to get assurance in their data. But the days of managing cumbersome parallel records are behind us – Lantern’s assured dataset can alleviate the burden of shadow accounting and elevate admin oversight.

Admin Oversight: The New Data Imperative for GPs

Gone are the days when GPs had to accept fragmented data as a given. Admin oversight is now the name of the game, as GPs seek greater control over the quality and accuracy of their fund data. Relying on multiple fund administrators and systems, each with its own way of handling data, creates discrepancies that are too critical to ignore. With investors demanding more transparency and accuracy, GPs have no choice but to step in and oversee this data themselves.

From my work at Lantern, I’ve seen firsthand why GPs have had to take charge of admin oversight – the reasons are clear:

  • Complexity of data management – As portfolios grow, so does the complexity of managing data from multiple administrators. GPs often find themselves reconciling data across several systems, a task that is both time-consuming and prone to error. Shadow accounting was once the solution to consolidating and verifying data, but it is no longer sustainable in the face of this complexity.
  • Increasing Investor Demands – Today’s investors want more than just results – they want to know how those results are achieved. Admin oversight empowers GPs to ensure data accuracy before it reaches investors, safeguarding trust and credibility.
  • Data Quality & Ownership – GPs are ultimately accountable for their data. If an administrator’s data is inaccurate or incomplete, it’s the GP’s burden to shoulder. Admin oversight offers GPs the control they need to operate from a position of strength, based on a single, accurate source of truth.
  • Regulatory Pressures – Compliance is more than just a requirement; it’s a critical component of business strategy. Admin oversight ensures GPs have the control necessary to meet evolving regulatory standards confidently.

    Relying on multiple fund administrators and systems, each with its own way of handling data, creates discrepancies that are too critical to ignore.

    Iain Robertson, Head of Client Sucess

While shadow accounting gives GPs control, it also creates new challenges. Managing and reconciling data across various systems is a resource-heavy, manual process that diverts time away from investment performance. What starts as a temporary solution quickly turns into a long-term operational headache.

But there’s a better way forward.

Lantern: The Solution to Admin Oversight

GPs shouldn’t have to choose between relying on fund administrators or shadow accounting. Our platform provides access to assured data, at a fund and portfolio level, providing automated admin oversight. We integrate seamlessly with administrators’ systems, automatically validating data – against financials, documents, or other static data – through a lens that understands the unique nuances of private markets.

The result? A universal book of record GPs trust, removing the need for time-consuming manual reconciliation and freeing up resources for higher-value activities. With Lantern, GPs can confidently say goodbye to shadow accounting and use assured data to drive firm-wide decision-making.

In fact, we’re already partnering with leading fund administrators who want to stay ahead of the curve. These forward-thinking administrators are using Lantern to expose high-quality, assured data directly to their GPs, resulting in greater transparency and trust between administrators and clients.

The Future of Fund Admin Oversight

As the private markets space continues to evolve, GPs are no longer content to leave their data solely in the hands of fund administrators. They demand more control, greater transparency, and assured accuracy – and rightly so.

Lantern’s proud to stand by GPs, empowering them with the tools they need to elevate their data oversight without the weight of shadow accounting. We provide GPs with the confidence that their data is assured – allowing them to focus on what really matters: driving performance.

Are You Ready to Take Control of Your Data?

If you’re ready to eliminate the burden of shadow accounting and take control of your fund’s data with confidence, reach out to Lantern today. Let us help you navigate the complexities of admin oversight and set your firm up for future success.