Behind the Numbers: Why Fund Data Still Holds the Industry Back

In asset management, everyone talks about performance, compliance and reporting. Yet what often receives less attention is the data infrastructure beneath it all – the foundation on which every output depends.

Having spent years working as a fund data collector, Christoph Napetschnig has seen how that foundation can be surprisingly fragile. Despite the industry’s technological sophistication, many firms still rely on manual reconciliations, spreadsheet-based workflows and siloed systems that introduce duplication, delay and risk.

The Blind Spot: “Once data is in the system, it’s clean.”

According to Christoph, this is one of the most persistent misconceptions across the industry. Asset managers often underestimate the complexity of data lineage – how data is collected, standardised, validated and distributed.

“Many assume that once information has been uploaded, it’s accurate and consistent,” he explains. “In reality, without clear data ownership and automated controls, inconsistencies can easily creep in and multiply downstream. A figure that’s correct in one report can appear mismatched in another, undermining trust and increasing the risk of regulatory non-compliance.”

Manual Friction and Repeated Effort

The pain points are well known to anyone close to fund data operations. Teams often spend hours manually reconciling numbers that other teams have already checked, creating redundant effort and slowing delivery.

Spreadsheets, while familiar, compound the problem. They are flexible, but also fragile. Version control issues and human error can turn a simple reporting task into a multi-day exercise in detective work.

If Christoph could change one thing about how the industry handles fund data, it would be the adoption of standardised metadata such as OpenFunds and automated interfaces. “With clean standards and structured connectivity, reporting processes would accelerate and risk would fall dramatically,” he says.

When Data Becomes a Liability

Manual workflows do not just create inefficiency; they introduce risk. Operational errors, missed disclosure deadlines and inconsistent data reaching clients can all damage a firm’s reputation.

“In today’s landscape, data is both an asset and a liability,” Christoph notes. “Treat it casually and it becomes a source of exposure. Govern it well and it becomes a strategic advantage.”

What Really Drives the Industry

People often assume asset management is driven primarily by investment strategy. But from inside the data trenches, Christoph sees things differently. The real challenge lies in ensuring clean, consistent data – on time, every time.

That, he says, is what excites him most about this work. “Data is the connective tissue of the industry. It enables everything, from compliance to client reporting to investment insight. Turning messy, fragmented inputs into reliable, decision-ready intelligence is where meaningful impact happens.”

Automation with Purpose

For Christoph, the goal is not automation for automation’s sake. It is about eliminating repetitive manual work so that data teams can focus on higher-value thinking such as analysis, innovation and improvement.

“Some of the most rewarding projects I have worked on involved tracing the root cause of recurring mismatches and redesigning workflows so that those mismatches simply could not happen again,” he says. “Clean data is not just a technical outcome; it is a cultural one, built on structure, transparency and accountability.”

Innovation Meets Optimisation

Christoph is equally drawn to exploring new technology and refining what already exists. He sees particular promise in platforms that connect reporting, compliance and investment insights, and in tools that not only collect but also validate and enrich data in real time.

“The future lies not only in innovation,” he says, “but in optimisation – making existing systems smarter, faster and more connected.”

Why FundSense

FundSense, he believes, brings together the three elements that matter most: technology, process optimisation and deep industry understanding. Its platform automates reporting, strengthens governance and delivers transparency across the ecosystem – outcomes that align perfectly with his philosophy of impact.

Looking ahead, Christoph hopes to contribute to an industry that moves towards transparent, interoperable data standards – where fund data flows smoothly through the market and where operational confidence is no longer an aspiration but the norm.

About FundSense

FundSense delivers intelligent automation solutions that transform how asset managers, fund managers and banks manage, connect and trust their data. From reporting and data governance to product lifecycle and document management, FundSense helps firms turn complexity into clarity.