Fund Accountant Private Equity and Real Estate at Maitland

Summary of the position

The successful applicant will be expected to manage, administer, account and report for Private Equity and Real Estate funds within Institutional Client Accounting. The inidvidual will be required to administer the funds efficiently, accurately and within predetermined deadlines, as set out in the relevant Service Level Agreements.

Outline of main duties and responsibilities

The Successful Applicant Will Be Expected To

• Completion of primary bookkeeping functions of the relevant funds. This includes but is not limited to:
• Preparation and posting of the cash book, VAT and inter-company loan accounts;
• Accounting for different types of financial assets and liabilities (including private equity investments and linked debenture units);
• Accounting for investment properties and lease rentals received as part of operating lease agreements;
• Preparation of standard monthly journal entries, including accruals / prepayments, bad debts provision;
• Preparation of monthly general ledger reconciliations, including debtors, creditors, bank and VAT;
• Review of Investment valuations and accounting to the trial balance;
• Collating and verifying information from third parties;
• Accounting for investor transactions including capital drawdowns, redemptions, allocations of monthly profit or loss;
• Preparation of the monthly investor statements within the relevant reporting deadlines;
• Communicating and responding to queries internally and from the client, assisting team leaders and managers in resolving queries.

Qualifications Required

Skills and experience required

• An accounting qualification (minimum B. Compt / Com Accounting or equivalent), together with either 3 years relevant accounting experience in a similar industry or business type;
• Preference will be given to candidates working towards a professional qualification such as CA(SA), ACCA or CIMA.

Technical Skills Required

• Up-to date working knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards and experience in preparation of accounts in accordance with those standards;
• An understanding of funds and fund structures will be an advantage;
• Accounting for tax, including VAT, income tax and calculations of deferred tax;
• Experience in all aspects of multi-currency accounting; and
• Excellent computer skills, and in particular a good knowledge of: Microsoft Office (2010) including Excel, Word, and Outlook email;
• Sound knowledge of accounting packages, including multi-currency.

Interpersonal Skills Required

• A team player who can work independently toward meeting deadlines;
• Good communication skills (both verbal and written);
• Confident, enthusiastic and a self-starter;
• A track record of achievement; and
• Keen to progress their career by studying toward a relevant professional qualification.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have The Following Competencies

Ability

• Strong accounting and analytical skills;
• Understand accounting, economic and investment principles;
• Communicate and respond to queries internally and from the client, assisting team leaders and managers in resolving such queries.

Experience

• the preparation of financial statements and budgets;
• Working knowledge of fund accounting systems and an aptitude for working with systems.

Knowledge

• accounting principles;
• financial and management accounting;
• Good understanding, knowledge and experience of back office administration processes and account.