Due diligence can be defined as the level of judgment and care a reasonable person would take before entering into an agreement or transaction.  As part of an effective compliance program investment advisers must conduct due diligence not only when selecting investments for clients but also when outsourcing services to third-party service providers.   The importance of outside service provider due diligence was discussed as an examination focus area by the  U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) during their 2009 CCOutreach Regional Seminars.   During the seminar, the SEC noted that “advisers should review each service provider’s overall compliance program for compliance with the federal securities laws and should ensure that service providers are complying with the firm’s specific policies and procedures.”  During a routine examination,  SEC examiners will  “review an adviser’s disclosures, contracts with clients, and contracts with service providers to determine whether the services and reporting obligations are consistent with disclosures and that all obligations are adequately addressed and overseen by the adviser.”

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