Fund Accounting Team Leader - Private Equity & Real Estate at Apex Group

Summary of the position

• The successful applicant will be responsible for overseeing and managing the accounting requirements of our Private Equity (SA) clients in line with service level agreements. This includes managing a small team of accountants, client service management, and providing support to the onboarding team.

The roles and responsibilities of the successful candidate are as follows:

ACCOUNTING 

• Act as the accounting specialist within the Private Equity (SA) business.
• Supervise and control the timely and accurate delivery of net asset valuations,
• consolidated partner capital accounts, quarterly statements, financial state
• ments, and supporting schedules.
• Manage the preparation of performance fee, internal Rate of Return (IRR), and
• equalization calculations as required by Fund documents.

STAFF AND TRAINING 

• Play a pivotal role in the development and training of direct reports.
• Set KPIs for direct reports and manage performance both formally and informally.
• Train, manage, and supervise team members.

TEAM MANAGEMENT 

• Oversee the preparation and delivery of accounting services as per fund documentation and service level agreements.
• Review team deliverables and ensure timely staffing to meet client requirements.

CLIENT MANAGEMENT 

• Conduct quarterly client service review calls for an allocated portfolio and provide client feedback to management and the team.
• Manage client responsibilities to meet agreed deadlines and best practices.

CLIENT ONBOARDING 

• Provide feedback to the onboarding team and Private Equity (SA) management regarding operational requirements versus system capabilities and identify gaps.
• Contribute to SLA timeframes and requirements.

PROCESSES AND SYSTEM UPDATES

• Assist with the ongoing development of the Private Equity IT platform and maintenance of reporting templates.
• Ensure compliance with Closed Ended (SA) processes and identify potential efficiencies.

REGULATORY 

• Assist with regulatory and reporting requirements as they arise.

OTHER TASKS 

• Act as authorized signatory on client bank accounts, and reviewer of payment. Build relationships with internal teams to ensure seamless service delivery to clients.
• Perform any additional tasks to support the ongoing management and development of the division.

Skills requirement: 

• A good understanding of various Private Equity Fund structures and the administration and accounting of these structures.
• A sound working knowledge of fund valuations and accounting practices and standards, particularly IFRS, and ILPA.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of back-office systems. Investran, eFront and Paxus is beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a pressurised environment.
• Be familiar with Funds services controls and procedures to ensure compliance and minimise risk.
• Have had exposure to managing a team
• An ability to constantly challenge and look to improve the daily operation.
• Have a confident, professional and an enthusiastic approach when dealing with clients and intermediaries of the business.
• Management capability with a practical hands-on approach and the ability to ‘get things done’.
• Leads by example
• Be able to communicate clearly with staff and senior management
• Work collaboratively and effectively within the Closed Ended (SA) team as well as other departments within APEX.

Personal characteristics: 

• A real ‘can do’ attitude and thrives in an environment of opportunity, confidence and hunger for growth.
• Sets and achieves very high levels of performance and continually strives for personal improvement in all that they do.
• Has the ability to challenge decisions and frameworks, but also the ability to accept and implement decisions as instructed from a higher authority and to work within established frameworks to achieve desired results; and
• Will take accountability for their actions.
• Reporting structure
• The Accounting Leader (Private Equity SA) will report to the Manager(s) of the Private Equity Team