Assistant Manager - Fund Accounting (Private Equity) - JHB at Apex Group

Role Summary:
The Assistant Manager is responsible for overseeing the completion of accounting activities and resultant NAV calculation for a portfolio of Private Equity funds. This includes completing first level checks and reviews required for all accounting related tasks, as well as some investor communication and reporting tasks. They will be required to support and report to the Client Sending Location (CSL) office. This entails processing accounting info from booking stage to the final NAV stages, the preparation of yearly financials as well as the drafting and review of capital calls and distribution notices and CAS. There may be a requirement to be the point of contact of clients on all accounting related tasks. The candidate is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the team and assist his/her manager in delivering terms of the Group’s target operating model and ensuring a proper control environment so as to be able to deliver quality and timely outputs to CSLs offices.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Managing day to day activities in line with internal and external SLA timeframes
• Interacting with Private Equity principals and related stakeholders
• Reviewing, understanding and discussing fund governing documents with staff and clients
• Taking responsibility for all aspects of operations and controls, including setting up funds on accounting platforms either Investran, Efront or Allvue, processing transactions, and drafting NAVs and financials, amending NAVs for comments received from CSL or clients, preparation and issuing of investor reports, and performing review and quality work
• Responding to investor, client and internal enquiries
• Providing periodic reports and feedback to upper management
• Adhering to Investor Services procedures and policies in line with regulations globally and Apex’s group policy
• Assisting with the processing of investor requests
• Checker duties
• Subject Matter Expert for private equity accounting with some experience on waterfall calc / subsequent closes etc.
• Participation in ad hoc projects in addition of day-to-day duties
• Working as part of a larger global team in the case of outsourced activities

 Competencies: 

• A background in a fund accounting team (5+ years), for alternative funds at a top tier institutional fund administrator
• Working knowledge of Private Equity Fund Administration systems
• Able to adapt quickly to challenging and changing priorities
• Up to date accounting standards (IFRS/US GAAP) and Fund industry knowledge
• Strong planning and organisational and entrepreneurial skills
• A detailed understanding of Private Equity Fund structures and the fund administration business
• Basic knowledge of Investor services / Transfer Agency, banking and hedge fund accounting concepts
• Strong communication (verbal and written) and problem-solving skills
• Good interpersonal skills to develop working relationships with colleagues, clients, other divisions/ offices of the bank and professional intermediaries
• Must be able to work with all levels within the organisation
• Strong multi-tasking skills
• The ability to work to tight deadlines
• Effective time management
• Display high levels of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to remain calm at busy times
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvements
• Ability to escalate where appropriate
• Ability to self-motivate and work as part of team
• Ability to take on board constructive feedback
• Flexible in dealing with changing priorities
• Strong excel knowledge
• BCom Honours in Accounting / CA accreditation advantageous