Q & A Database

The GIPS Standards Q&A database contains questions and answers (Q&As) on various searchable topics that provide additional interpretation on an issue. Q&As are considered to be authoritative guidance and must be followed in order to claim compliance with the GIPS standards.

Content from prior Q&As was included in the GIPS Standards Handbook as much as possible and many Q&As were archived. Change the Status drop-down filter to "Archived" to see the archived Q&As.

The GIPS Standards Helpdesk is available for individual questions and typically responds to inquiries within 3 business days.

Search by category, status, date range, and/or keyword.

Category

Advertising Aggregate Method Alternative Investments Asset Owner Assimilating Assets Benchmarks Calculation Methodology Carve-Outs Cash Cash Flow Changes to the Standards: 2006 GIPS Client Reporting Client Updates Composite Calculations Composite Changes Composite Construction Consultant Questionnaires Corrections to the 2006 GIPS standards Creation Date Currency Definition of the Firm Disclosures Discretion Dispersion Early Adoption Effective Dates Error Correction Fees FINRA Firm Assets Firm Notification Requirement Fixed Income Fundamentals of Compliance General/Miscellaneous GIPS Reports Inception Date Incubator Funds Information Outside of GIPS Reports Leverage/Derivatives List of Composite Descriptions Lists of Composites and Pooled Funds Minimum Asset Level Model Results New Portfolios/Accounts Non-fee-paying Portfolios Overlay Strategies Partial Period Returns Performance Examinations Performance History/Track Record Pooled Funds Portability Private Equity Providing GIPS Reports Real Estate Recordkeeping Risk Securities Lending Sub-Advised Assets Sub-Advisors Supplemental/Additional Information Terminated Portfolios Total Asset Owner Assets Total Fund Definition Trade-Date Accounting Valuation Verification Wrap Fee Portfolios

Status

Organization Type

Effective

Keyword

1 Result

Archived

Effective: 1 March, 2005 - 31 October, 2012

Categories: Performance History/Track Record

Source: Investment Performance Council (IPC)

Firm A has been in existence for ten years and determines that it would like to begin to claim compliance with the GIPS standards this year. Is Firm A required to restate its entire history in compliance with the GIPS standards in order to claim compliance?

No. Firm A needs only to initially present the most recent five years of its performance history that adhere to the GIPS requirements in order to claim compliance (see Provision 5.A.1.a). In addition to the required performance returns, Firm A could link its history prior to 2000 without restating its pre-2000 performance in compliance with the GIPS standards, provided it discloses why the history prior to 2000 is not compliant.

Please also see updated Q&A