EX-99.H.3 6 dex99h3.htm ADMINISTRATION, BOOKKEEPING AND PRICING SERVICES AGREEMENT Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement

Exhibit H.3

ADMINISTRATION, BOOKKEEPING AND

PRICING SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, between The Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc., organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland (the “Fund”), and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“ALPS”) is made as of August 21, 2009 and effective as of the date of conversion of the Fund to ALPS.

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company, presently consisting of the portfolio(s) listed in Appendix A (the “Portfolios”);

WHEREAS, C&O Funds Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) is the Fund’s investment adviser and is responsible for managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative and management services;

WHEREAS, ALPS provides certain administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services to investment companies; and

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint ALPS to perform certain administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services for the Fund, and ALPS has indicated its willingness to so act, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows.

 

1. ALPS Appointment and Duties.

 

  (a) The Fund hereby appoints ALPS to provide the administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services set forth in Appendix B hereto, as amended from time to time, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. ALPS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such specified services. ALPS shall for all purposes be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as otherwise expressly authorized in this Agreement, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.

 

  (b)

ALPS may employ or engage such persons or organizations as ALPS believes to be desirable to assist ALPS in the performance of its duties hereunder; provided that, in such event, the compensation of such persons or organizations shall be paid by and be the sole responsibility of ALPS, and the Fund shall bear no cost or obligation with respect thereto; and provided further that ALPS shall not be relieved of any of its obligations under this Agreement in such event and shall be responsible for all acts of any such persons or organizations taken in furtherance of this Agreement to the same extent it would be for its own acts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ALPS may not


 

employ or engage persons or organizations for assistance in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, if such employment or engagement would effectively cause such services to not be performed by ALPS.

 

2. ALPS Compensation; Expenses.

 

  (a) In consideration for the services to be performed hereunder by ALPS, the Fund shall pay ALPS the fees listed in Appendix C hereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, fees billed for the services to be performed by ALPS under this Agreement are based on information provided by the Fund and the manner in which the Fund has historically operated as indicated by its public filings and such fees are subject to renegotiation between the parties to the extent changes in the Fund’s operations take place that cause such information to be materially different, as agreed to by the Fund and ALPS, from what the Fund originally provided to ALPS and disclosed in its public filings.

 

  (b) ALPS will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided herein. ALPS will not bear any of the costs of Fund personnel. Other Fund expenses incurred shall be borne by the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser, including, but not limited to, initial organization and offering expenses; litigation expenses; taxes; costs of preferred shares; expenses of conducting repurchase offers for the purpose of repurchasing Fund shares; transfer agency and custodial expenses; interest; Fund directors’ fees; brokerage fees and commissions; state and federal registration fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity bond premiums; fees and expenses of Fund counsel; costs of maintenance of Fund existence; printing and delivery of materials in connection with meetings of the Fund’s directors; printing and mailing of shareholder reports, prospectuses, statements of additional information other offering documents, supplements, proxy materials and other communications to shareholders; securities pricing data and expenses in connection with electronic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

3. Right to Receive Advice.

 

  (a) Advice of the Fund and Service Providers. If ALPS is in doubt as to any action it should or should not take, ALPS may request directions, advice or instructions from the Fund or, as applicable, the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian or other service providers.

 

  (b) Advice of Counsel. If ALPS is in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, ALPS may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser or ALPS, at the option of ALPS). If counsel other than Fund or investment adviser counsel is consulted by ALPS, the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be ALPS’ responsibility.

 

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  (c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between directions, advice or instructions ALPS receives from the Fund or any service provider and the advice ALPS receives from counsel, ALPS may in its sole discretion rely upon and follow the advice of counsel. ALPS will provide the Fund with prior written notice of its intent to follow advice of counsel that is materially inconsistent with directions, advice or instructions from the Fund. Upon request, ALPS will provide the Fund with a copy of such advice of counsel.

 

4. Standard of Care; Limitation of Liability; Indemnification.

 

  (a) ALPS shall be obligated to act in good faith and to exercise commercially reasonable care and diligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.

 

  (b) In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard by ALPS in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement, ALPS and its affiliates, including their respective officers, directors, agents and employees, shall not be liable for, and the Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless such persons from, all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments, claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or indirectly from the following:

 

  (i) the inaccuracy of factual information furnished to ALPS by the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian or other service providers;

 

  (ii) any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates;

 

  (iii) losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God, action or inaction of civil or military authority, war, terrorism, riot, fire, flood, sabotage, labor disputes, elements of nature or non-performance by a third party;

 

  (iv) ALPS’ reliance on any instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other information that ALPS reasonably believes to be genuine;

 

  (v) loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure; or

 

  (vi) any other action or omission to act which ALPS takes in connection with the provision of services to the Fund.

 

  (c)

ALPS shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser and their respective officers, directors, agents, and employees from and against any and all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments, claims, losses, damages,

 

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penalties, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or indirectly from ALPS’ willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.

 

  (d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable under this Agreement to the other party hereto for any punitive, consequential, special or indirect losses or damages.

 

5. Activities of ALPS. The services of ALPS under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and ALPS shall be free to render similar services to others. The Fund recognizes that from time to time directors, officers and employees of ALPS may serve as directors, officers and employees of other corporations or businesses (including other investment companies) and that such other corporations and businesses may include ALPS as part of their name and that ALPS or its affiliates may enter into administrative, bookkeeping, pricing agreements or other agreements with such other corporations and businesses.

 

6. Accounts and Records. The accounts and records maintained by ALPS shall be the property of the Fund. ALPS shall prepare, maintain and preserve such accounts and records as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. ALPS shall surrender such accounts and records to the Fund, in the form in which such accounts and records have been maintained or preserved, promptly upon receipt of instructions from the Fund. The Fund shall have access to such accounts and records at all times during ALPS’ normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided promptly by ALPS to the Fund at the Fund’s expense. ALPS shall assist the Fund, the Fund’s independent auditors, or, upon approval of the Fund, any regulatory body, in any requested review of the Fund’s accounts and records and reports by ALPS or its independent accountants concerning its accounting system and internal auditing controls will be open to such entities for audit or inspection upon reasonable request.

 

7.

Confidential and Proprietary Information. ALPS agrees that it will, on behalf of itself and its officers and employees, treat all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all records and information relative to the Fund and its current and former shareholders and other information germane thereto, as confidential and as proprietary information of the Fund and not to use, sell, transfer or divulge such information or records to any person for any purpose other than performance of its duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing from the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Approval may not be withheld where ALPS may be exposed to civil, regulatory, or criminal proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when requested by the Fund. When requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, ALPS shall immediately notify the Fund and use reasonable commercial efforts to request confidential treatment of such information. ALPS shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and

 

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to prevent unauthorized access to or use of records and information relating to the Fund and its current and former shareholders.

 

8. Compliance with Rules and Regulations. ALPS shall comply (and to the extent ALPS takes or is required to take action on behalf of the Fund hereunder shall cause the Fund to comply) with all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and code of ethics, as well as all investment restrictions, policies and procedures adopted by the Fund of which ALPS has knowledge (it being understood that ALPS is deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions, policies or procedures set out in the Fund’s public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS). Except as set out in this Agreement, ALPS assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund. ALPS shall maintain at all times a program reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) with respect to the services provided, and shall provide to the Fund a certification to such effect no less than annually or as otherwise reasonably requested by the Fund. ALPS shall make available its compliance personnel and shall provide at its own expense summaries and other relevant materials relating to such program as reasonably requested by the Fund.

 

9. Representations and Warranties of ALPS. ALPS represents and warrants to the Fund that:

 

  (a) It is duly organized and existing as a corporation and in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado.

 

  (b) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.

 

  (c) All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.

 

  (d) It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with industry standards.

 

10. Representations and Warranties of the Fund. The Fund represents and warrants to ALPS that:

 

  (a) It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Maryland and is registered with the SEC as an open-end diversified management investment company.

 

  (b) It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.

 

  (c) The Board of Directors of the Fund has duly authorized it to enter into and perform this Agreement.

 

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  (d) Fund hereby represents and warrants to ALPS that (a) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Fund does not breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Fund is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Fund is subject; (b) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Fund has been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action; and (c) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by ALPS and Fund, this Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of Fund.

 

  (e) Fund further represents and warrants to ALPS that the Secretary and Assistant Treasurer shall be covered by the Fund’s Directors & Officers/Errors & Omissions Policy (the “Policy”), and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that such coverage be (a) reinstated should the Policy be cancelled; (b) continued after such officers ceases to serve as the Fund on substantially the same terms as such coverage is provided for the Fund offices after such persons are no longer officers of the Fund; or (c) continued in the event the Fund merges or terminates, on substantially the same terms as such coverage is provided for the Fund officers (but for a period of no less than six years). The Fund shall provide ALPS with proof of current coverage, including a copy of the Policy, and shall notify ALPS immediately should the Policy be cancelled or terminated.

 

  (f) The Secretary and Assistant Treasurer are named officers in the Fund’s corporate resolutions and subject to the provisions of the Fund’s Organizational Documents regarding indemnification of its officers.

 

11. Documents. The Fund has furnished or will furnish, upon request, ALPS with copies of the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation, advisory agreement, custodian agreement, transfer agency agreement, administration agreement, current prospectus, statement of additional information, periodic Fund reports and all forms relating to any plan, program or service offered by the Fund. The Fund shall furnish, within a reasonable time period, to ALPS a copy of any amendment or supplement to any of the above-mentioned documents. Upon request, the Fund shall furnish promptly to ALPS any additional documents necessary or advisable to perform its functions hereunder. As used in this Agreement the terms “registration statement,” “prospectus” and “statement of additional information” shall mean any registration statement, prospectus and statement of additional information filed by the Fund with the SEC and any amendments and supplements thereto that are filed with the SEC.  

 

12.

Consultation Between the Parties. ALPS and the Fund shall regularly consult with each other regarding ALPS’ performance of its obligations under this Agreement. In connection therewith, the Fund shall submit to ALPS at a reasonable time in advance of filing with the SEC reasonably final copies of any amended or supplemented registration statement (including exhibits) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Fund’s right to file at any time such amendments to any registration statement and/or

 

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supplements to any prospectus or statement of additional information, of whatever character, as the Fund may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.

 

13. Liaison with Accountants. ALPS shall act as a liaison with the Fund’s independent public accountants and shall provide account analysis, fiscal year summaries, and other audit-related schedules with respect to the services provided to the Fund. ALPS shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is made available to such accountants as reasonably requested or required by the Fund.

 

14. Business Interruption Plan. ALPS shall maintain in effect a business interruption plan, and enter into any agreements necessary with appropriate parties making reasonable provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment customary in the industry. In the event of equipment failures, ALPS shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take commercially reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions.

 

15. Duration and Termination of this Agreement.

 

  (a) Initial Term. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above (the “Start Date”) and shall continue thereafter throughout the period that ends three (3) years after the Start Date (the “Initial Term”). Until the end of the Initial Term, this Agreement may be terminated without penalty only by agreement of the parties or for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) hereof.

 

  (b) Renewal Term. If not sooner terminated, this Agreement shall renew at the end of the Initial Term and shall thereafter continue for successive annual periods until terminated by either party upon not less than sixty (60) days’ written notice prior to the expiration of the then current renewal term or for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) hereof.

 

  (c) Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Fund may terminate this Agreement for cause immediately at any time, without penalty, without default and without the payment of any Termination Payment or other liquidated damages. For purposes of this Section 15, “cause” shall mean:

 

  (i) willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard on the part of ALPS in the performance of its duties, obligations and responsibilities set forth in this Agreement;

 

  (ii)

in the event ALPS is no longer permitted to perform its duties, obligations, or responsibilities hereunder pursuant to applicable law, or regulatory, administrative or judicial proceedings against ALPS which result in a determination that ALPS has violated, or has caused the Fund to violate, in any material respect any applicable law, rule, regulation, order or code of ethics, or any material investment restriction, policy or procedure adopted by the Fund of

 

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which ALPS had knowledge (it being understood that ALPS is deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions, policies or procedures set out in the Fund’s public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS); or

 

  (iii) financial difficulties on the part of ALPS that impair the ability of ALPS to perform its duties, obligations and responsibilities hereunder; or

 

  (iv) in the event of a material breach by ALPS of its duties, obligations and responsibilities hereunder, which breach, if curable, is not cured within ten (10) days of the Fund’s notification of such breach, or sooner if required by applicable law.

(d)        Deliveries Upon Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement, ALPS agrees to cooperate in the orderly transfer of administrative duties and shall deliver to the Fund or as otherwise directed by the Fund (at the expense of the Fund) all records and other documents made or accumulated in the performance of its duties for the Fund hereunder. In the event ALPS gives notice of termination under this Agreement, it will continue to provide the services contemplated hereunder after such termination at the contractual rate for up to 180 days, provided that the Fund uses all reasonable commercial efforts to appoint such replacement on a timely basis.

(e)        Fees and Expenses Upon Termination. Should either party exercise its right to terminate, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or costs associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Fund. Additionally, ALPS reserves the right to charge a reasonable fee for its de-conversion services.

 

16. Assignment. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the prior written consent of ALPS, or by ALPS without the prior written consent of the Fund.

 

17. Governing Law. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado and the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. To the extent that the laws of the State of Colorado conflict with the 1940 Act or such rules, the latter shall control.

 

18. Names. The obligations of the Fund entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any director, shareholder, representative, or agent thereof are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the directors, shareholders, representatives or agents of the Fund personally, but bind only the property of the Fund, and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund.

 

19. Amendments to this Agreement. This Agreement may only be amended by the parties in writing.

 

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20. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed to have been given when received or when sent by telex or facsimile, and shall be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to which notice is given):

 

   To ALPS:   
   ALPS Fund Services, Inc.   
   1290 Broadway, Suite 1100   
   Denver, Colorado 80203   
   Attn: General Counsel   
   Fax: (303) 623-7850   
   To the Fund:   
   The Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc.   
   5185 Peachway Parkway, Suite 370   
   Norcross, Georgia 30092   
   Attn: William C. Horne   
   Fax: (770) 797-9725   

 

21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that ALPS may embody in one or more separate documents its agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties and oral instructions.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE CALDWELL & ORKIN FUNDS, INC.
By:   /s/ Michael B. Orkin
Name:   Michael B. Orkin
Title:   President

ALPS FUND SERVICES, INC.

By:   /s/ Jeremy O. May
Name:   Jeremy O. May
Title:   President


APPENDIX A

 

LIST OF PORTFOLIOS

Caldwell & Orkin Market Opportunity Fund


APPENDIX B

 

SERVICES

Fund Administration

 

 

Prepare annual and semi-annual financial statements

 

 

Coordinate layout and printing of reports

 

 

Prepare and file Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and 24f-2

 

 

Host annual audits and SEC exams

 

 

Provide monthly investment restriction compliance monitoring support and reporting

 

 

Calculate performance figures

 

 

Prepare required reports for quarterly Board meetings

 

 

Monitor expense ratios

 

 

Maintain budget vs. actual expenses

 

 

Manage Fund invoice approval and bill payment process

 

 

Maintain and coordinate Blue Sky registration

 

 

Assist with placement of Fidelity Bond and E&O insurance

 

 

Coordinate reporting to outside agencies including Morningstar, etc.

Fund Accounting

 

 

Calculate daily NAVs

 

 

Transmit daily NAVs to NASDAQ, Transfer Agent and other third parties

 

 

Compute yields, expense ratios, portfolio turnover rates, etc.

 

 

Calculate income dividend rates

 

 

Reconcile cash and investment balances with the custodian.

 

 

Support preparation of financial statements


 

Prepare required Fund Accounting records in accordance with the 1940 Act

Legal

 

 

Review and update Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information annually

 

 

Provide legal review of SEC financial filings

 

 

Coordinate EDGARization and filing of documents

 

 

Prepare, compile and mail Board materials

 

 

Attend Board meetings and prepare minutes

 

 

Review legal contracts

 

 

Oversee Fund’s Code of Ethics reporting

Tax

 

 

Perform monthly, quarterly or annual distribution calculations, as appropriate

 

 

Calculate required year-end distributions for excise tax purposes for review by the Fund’s auditors

 

 

Prepare provision for income tax and tax disclosure information (ROCSOP) for the audited financial statements for review by the Fund’s auditors

 

 

Prepare and file federal and state income tax returns extensions

 

 

Prepare federal and state income tax returns for review and signature by the Fund’s auditors and coordinate filing with the Internal Revenue Service or state authority. State income or franchise tax return extension filing and preparation is limited to the initial state of “nexus” and does not include additional state filing requirements that may be triggered by underlying investments of the Fund

 

 

Prepare federal excise tax returns for review and signature by the Fund’s auditors and coordinate filing with the Internal Revenue Service

 

 

No less frequently than quarterly, monitor the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended

 

 

Assist in the identification of securities that may give rise to book-to-tax adjustments, including but not limited to passive foreign investment companies, real estate investment trusts, master limited partnerships, contingent debt obligations, trust preferred securities,


 

grantor trusts, and stapled securities. Ultimate determination will be the responsibility of Fund management.


APPENDIX C

 

COMPENSATION

Fees paid to ALPS shall be calculated and accrued daily and payable monthly by the Fund at the annual rate of:

The fees will be the greater of $160,000 or:

 

  ¡  

6.0 basis points of Fund’s annual net assets between $0 - $500M

  ¡  

3.0 basis points of Fund’s annual net assets in excess of $500M-$1B

  ¡  

2.0 basis points of the Fund’s annual net assets above $1B

Minus: the fee payable by the Adviser to ALPS Distributors, Inc., (“ADI”) an affiliate of ALPS, as set forth in, and pursuant to, a Distribution Fee Letter Agreement between the Adviser and ADI dated August       , 2009.

All out-of-pocket expenses are passed through to the client at cost, including but not limited to: third party security pricing fees, Bloomberg fees, Gainskeeper fees, Blue Sky permit processing fees and state registration fees, SAS70 control review reports, travel expenses to Board meetings and on-site supervisory reviews, board book/materials printing and mailing, customized programming/enhancements and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by ALPS in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement.

LATE CHARGES: All invoices are due and payable upon receipt. Any invoices not paid within thirty (30) days of the invoice date are subject to a one percent (1%) per month financing charge on any unpaid balance but only to the extent permitted by law.