Senior Fund Accountant at Apex Group

Summary of the position

• The successful applicant’s primary responsibility will be to perform the accounting functions and the related reporting deliverables of a portfolio of PE(RE) clients in line with the relevant service level agreements.  The successful applicant will assist the Team Leader/Assistant Manager - Accounting with certain review functions and provide training and guidance to junior accountants. 

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

INVESTOR SERVICES AND TRANSFER AGENCY

• Responsible for the timely delivery of all investor communication and reporting, in line with the agreed SLA’s and fund documentation
• Respond to and resolve investor queries
• Manage / facilitate investor transactions, such as capital calls and distributions
• Perform the accounting for investor related transactions

ACCOUNTING AND FUND OPERATION

• Obtain an in-depth understanding of the client’s fund documentation and requirements
• Assist with capturing fund payments on online banking platforms
• Perform the primary fund accounting functions for a portfolio of allocated funds.  This includes, but is not limited to: 
• Cash book processing & preparation of bank reconciliations
• Accounting for standard monthly/quarterly expense and income related journals in line with supporting documentation
• Calculation of performance fees, carried interest and equalization as required by fund documentation
• Collation and verification of information from 3rd parties
• Accounting for investment transactions, including but not limited to: 
• Review of investment documentation and providing accounting guidance (where applicable)
• Loading deal static data onto the system
• Calculation of investment IRR
• Review investment valuations
• Accounting for investment related transactions
• Timely calculation and delivery of the fund NAV
• Take responsibility for the preparation and timely delivery of the agreed reporting pack for a portfolio of clients, within agreed timeframes together with any supporting schedules

ANNUAL AUDIT

• Preparation of the annual financial statements, and any other required reports, in line with IFRS, Lux GAAP or other accounting standards as applicable
• Preparation of the annual audit file for the auditors
• Take responsibility for managing the audit process on behalf of a portfolio of allocated clients, including, but not limited to: 
• Setting up the audit timeline together with the auditors, other team members, the client and other stakeholders
• Facilitating any internal communication and collaboration between APEX departments / jurisdictions
• Resolving any audit queries

CLIENT MANAGEMENT

• Perform, regular client operational calls for an allocated portfolio of clients and provide client feedback to management and the rest of the team
• Liaise and build relationships with other relevant internal teams to ensure a seamless delivery of services to our clients

REVIEW AND TRAINING

• Assist the Team Leader/Assistant Manager - Accounting with the review of select, non-complex funds 
• Provide guidance and on-the-job training to interns and junior accountants

REGULATORY

• Assistance with any other regulatory/internal reporting requirements

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS

• Any other ad hoc tasks as required

Skills and experience required

Qualifications & experience:  

• An accounting qualification (minimum B.Compt / Com Accounting or equivalent)
• Preference will be given to candidates working towards a professional qualification such as CA(SA), SAIPA, ACCA or CIMA.
• 2 years relevant  accounting experience in a similar industry or business type, preference will be given to staff with private equity or real estate experience

Skills requirement:  

Accounting knowledge: 

• Up-to date working knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards and experience in preparation of accounts in accordance with those standards,
• Experience and knowledge of Luxembourg GAAP and experience in preparation of accounts under those standards will be beneficial
• An understanding of funds and fund structures will be an advantage;
• Experience in all aspects of multi-currency accounting; and
• Excellent computer skills, and in particular a good knowledge of:
• Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook email;
• Experience with Investran will be advantageous.
• Highly organised, efficient and professional with excellent administrative and organisational skills;
• Have a confident , professional and an enthusiastic approach when dealing with clients and intermediaries of the business;
• Inquisitive mind set and innovative;
• Be able to communicate clearly with staff and senior management; and
• Work collaboratively and effectively within the PE(RE) team as well as other departments within APEX. 
• efront knowledge will be beneficial

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.