Life Fund Accountant at Prescient

Purpose of role:

• As part of the CIS and Life Accounting team you will join a team of talented Fund Accountants within Prescient Fund Services. This is an end-to-end Fund Accounting position with specific responsibilities and exposure to Life Fund accounting.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Processing and setting up of audit, trustee, custody and management fees. 
• Reporting and payment of monthly fees to managers. 
• Ensuring Variation Margin is processed correctly and matches the Clearing House Statement daily. 
• Ensure capturing / processing of all 3rd Party duplication trades to the accounting system timeously and accurately (ensure they match the third-party valuation reports).
• Ability to manage client cash flows (subscriptions and redemptions) and ensure units in issue reconcile to Transfer Agency / South African Central Securities Depository (Strate).
• Understand the full lifecycle and parties involved in the process of executing and settling an on-market trade via the stock exchange. 
• Daily unitisation and ensuring the valuation of financial instruments are in line with the funds’ performance e.g. equities, bonds, and derivatives.
• Understand how total fund performance is calculated and impacted with each entry captured specifically related to the impact each entry has on the split between the clean (capital) NAV price and the income NAV price of a fund.
• Understand tolerance level checking against a benchmark and are familiar with what is deemed as an unacceptable asset and NAV fund price variance, Responsible for running, checking and sending of client reports daily and monthly.
• Handling queries efficiently to ensure resolution of both internal and external client queries (in conjunction with the Client Delivery team.
• Ensure appropriate controls are in place and performed to mitigate risk. 
• Supporting the management and co-ordination of team deliverables relating to projects and new client take-on’s and launching of new funds.
• Ensure accurate calculation, capturing and reporting of daily Endowment Tax Accruals. 
• Perform daily cash reconciliations to Custody. 
• Perform monthly script reconciliations to Custody. 

Required experience:

• Relevant experience of at least 3 years Fund Accounting experience, where you have gained exposure to Life Funds, is essential.

Required Qualifications:

• Relevant Degree / Honours Degree (Investments, Finance, Commerce).

Key competencies:

• Self-starter who is willing to take on responsibility for a wide array of tasks. 
• Highly methodical. 
• Ability to work under limited supervision. 
• Willing to work flexible hours – may be required to work shifts on rotation basis based on pricing points and client deadlines. 
• Team player.
• Positive and enthusiastic attitude. 
• Accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Client orientated and able to see the bigger picture.