In a recent interview with Automic Group, Eric Chu, Head of Fund Administration, shared his career journey from accounting into fund administration, outlining key experiences that now inform his leadership and operational focus within the business.
1. Can you share your career journey and how you arrived at your current role as Head of Fund Administration?
Eric: Investment has always been part of my life. My dad was a serious investor and, growing up, I was surrounded by candlestick charts and financial news. That early exposure sparked a natural curiosity in me.
Later, I completed a Master of Accounting and, during that time, realised I was drawn to the intersection of accounting and investing – a niche known as fund administration.
Over the years, I have worked across the funds-management industry in fund administration, trustee services and investment management, from front- to back-office functions. What ultimately drew me to Automic was the company’s technology-led culture. Using technology as a strategic enabler aligned closely with my own vision of what fund administration could become. Joining Automic gave me the opportunity to lead that transformation, and it is a challenge I am genuinely excited about.
Eric: I have been fortunate to gain experience across the entire investment-operations chain, from front-office strategy to back-office processing. That breadth has given me a solid understanding of how the different moving parts connect – not just within one business, but across the industry. Many times, I have examined a particular function or process through the lens of different entities, whether it is an investment manager, trustee or administrator. That has given me a more holistic view of how the ecosystem works. What has shaped my approach most is my passion for technology. In every role I have held, I have focused on designing or implementing systems that simplify processes, reduce manual work and improve quality. It is that combination of technical depth and a generalist perspective that has defined my approach to fund administration.
Eric: Think of a fund administrator as an accountant. Instead of counting cars in a warehouse, we track and value financial assets such as shares, bonds and derivatives to determine a fund’s daily value. Rather than dealing with physical goods on shelves, we work with the constantly moving parts of financial markets.
Unlike traditional accounting, which can be periodic – monthly, quarterly or annually – fund administration often runs on a daily cycle. Investors rely on our valuations to buy into or redeem from the fund.
Accuracy, timeliness and trust are therefore absolutely critical. We are deeply embedded in the fund’s day-to-day operations, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that the fund’s integrity is maintained at all times.
Eric: We have built a fantastic team at Automic that handles all the core services – daily unit pricing, payments, Business Activity Statement preparation, tax distribution and financial-statement delivery.
I also spend a great deal of time engaging with clients, understanding what they need now and where they are heading next. I keep a close eye on the market so we can anticipate emerging requirements and evolve our platform accordingly. Ultimately, our goal is to help clients grow, which means constantly improving the value we deliver.
Eric: For fund managers, we are the engine room. We handle everything related to fund operations – from unit pricing and tax to financial reporting – allowing them to focus on investment strategy and distribution. We also support managers with their regulatory obligations, preparing reports, ensuring timely lodgements and maintaining compliance in a market like Australia, where regulation is rightly stringent.
For investors, we act as the registry and main point of contact. We manage onboarding and enquiries and issue the reports they rely on for performance tracking and tax filing. The experience must be seamless, consistent and built on trust.
Under Eric Chu’s leadership, Automic Group delivers efficient, reliable, and technology-led fund administration services, backed by deep sector expertise. The firm provides businesses with operational certainty, regulatory confidence, and scalable support in a dynamic market.