Investment Accountant (Cape Town) at Stonehage Fleming

Description    
OVERALL PURPOSE

• The primary purpose of the role is to support Portfolio Managers across both offices to manage the support needs and administration needs of the client managers as well as the portfolio analysts. This role will have a close working relationship with the investment team. This role reports to the Head of Investment Accounting, South Africa in Cape Town and has a strong working relationship with the Investment team across both offices. Other working relationships include general Stonehage Fleming Relationship Managers in Cape Town and Johannesburg, external investment managers and linked investment service providers. 

Key Responsibilities    
PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Participate in client interactions, clients signing documents, attending meeting, taking meeting minutes. 
• To assist team in freeing up time to procure more AUM.
• Assist with responding to general client queries, e.g. investments, withdrawals, tax & admin related queries, portfolio structuring, rebalancing, trades. 
• Assist the team with the efficient implementation of new business. Preparation of on boarding documentation with new/existing clients. Liaising with the Client Execution Team w.r.t. the on boarding process (including end back). Post client meeting follow up with Partner / Portfolio Manager / Analyst to ensure all client requests are documented and executed.
• Delivery of high quality service that is both accurate, timeous and of high quality w.r.t. reporting
• Improving systems efficiency and taking initiative to improve efficiencies wherever possible
•  Ad Hoc projects to improve our service/offering.
• Investment trade coordination: follow up to completion, liaising and following up with 3rd party investment providers (execution team).
• Arrange foreign investment allowances, special applications, account opening, mandate preparation, asset swaps, Section 14 transfers, structure unwinds
• Transactional requirements: Coordinating payment requests, ensure cash requirements are met, basic trade preparation for cash flow top-ups, ensure custodial fee accounts topped up at all times, deal with corporate actions
• Managing team compliance matters, maintenance of compliance files ensuring that sufficient information is held to satisfy the relevant authorities, including CPD requirements
• Liaising with certain designated clients in conjunction with the team on monthly statements, to clients, GBI valuations, deal with selected billing requirements
• Ensure tax reporting is executed as per client requirements
• Assist in quarterly Investment Review process
• Administrative problem solving / Value add
• To assist team with solving any admin related problems
• Liaising with 3rd party service providers and with various business contacts, including banks, investment houses etc.
• Checking, binding and distribution of client presentations when required
• Draft general correspondence

Maintain filing database including daily filing of client documents, filing of general documents

• Ensure all client files are kept up to date and complete
• Diary management and PA support (Telephone support, expense claims, minute taking, etc) for Managers/Directors in immediate team) 
• Investment Management Agreements, FICA documents, complete new bank / investment account opening forms 
• Preparation of payment instructions 
• Any other ad-hoc duties that may be required from time to time

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Business Degree with accounting and investment insight.
• At least two years’ experience in similar or Fund Accounting role.

SKILLS

• Proficiency in MS Office
• Telephonic confidence
• Ability to understand accounting software or reporting software, with experience in Advent, Business Central and ETL processes being beneficial

COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIOURS

• Planning & Organizing: Schedules & manages workload effectively, thinks ahead, sets plans
• to achieve goals.
• Teamwork: Supports & works towards team goals, shares information, is helpful & cooperative,
• Communication skill: Communicates clearly and concisely, listens effectively, written
• Client orientated: Understands and satisfies client needs at all times, delivers excellent client
• service, takes full responsibility & accountability for all client matters including delegated
• tasks.
• Accuracy, quality & productivity: Delivers work of a high standard, output is accurate & error
• free, productivity is satisfactory & consistent.