Definition
Assets Under Management (AUM) refers to the total market value of investments that a financial institution, investment advisor, or wealth management firm manages on behalf of clients. AUM includes all types of client assets—stocks, bonds, cash, real estate, and increasingly, alternative investments like art, collectibles, wine, and other tangible assets.
Significance in Alternative Asset Valuation
Alternative assets represent a growing portion of AUM for wealth management firms, particularly those serving high-net-worth individuals. Unlike traditional securities with daily market pricing, alternative assets require specialized valuation expertise to accurately reflect their worth in AUM calculations. This creates challenges for wealth managers who must:
- Provide accurate portfolio valuations to clients
- Meet regulatory reporting requirements
- Calculate management fees based on current asset values
- Demonstrate portfolio performance over time
Without proper valuation of alternative assets, firms risk understating or overstating their true AUM, leading to compliance issues and client dissatisfaction. The illiquid nature of many alternative assets means their values can change significantly between formal appraisals, making ongoing valuation particularly complex.
How Impossival Approaches This
We help wealth management firms accurately value alternative assets within their AUM through automated valuation technology. Our platform provides regular updates on asset values between formal appraisals, ensuring AUM calculations remain current and compliant. This enables firms to offer more comprehensive wealth management services while maintaining accurate reporting.
Related Concepts
- Alternative Assets - Non-traditional investments that require specialized valuation
- High-Net-Worth Individual - Primary clients holding significant alternative assets
- Portfolio Diversification - Strategy driving alternative asset allocation
- Wealth Management - Services requiring accurate AUM calculations