Team Leader - Private Equity & Real Estate at Apex Group

Summary of the position 

The successful applicant’s primary responsibility will be to oversee and manage the delivery of the accounting requirements of our PERE clients in line with the relevant service level agreements.  This includes the management and oversight of a small team of accountants, taking responsibility for client service management and providing assistance to the on-boarding team.   

Outline of main duties and responsibilities 

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

ACCOUNTING

• Act as the accounting specialist within the PERE business
• Supervise and control the accurate, efficient and timely delivery of all net asset valuations, consolidated partner capital accounts, quarterly statements, financial statements and any other reports together with supporting schedules
• Manage the preparation of performance fee, internal Rate of Return (IRR) and equalization calculations as required by Fund documents;

STAFF AND TRAINING

• The Team Leader will play a pivotal role in the on-going development and training of his/her direct reports
• Take responsibility for setting KPI’s for his/her direct reports and manage their performance, both formally through the performance management process but also informally on a day-to-day basis
• Train, manage and supervise direct reports

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Manage the preparation and delivery of deliverables and accounting services, as required by the fund documentation and the service level agreement, to our clients
• Review the work performed by the accounting team
• Manage resources to ensure adequate staffing to meet client requirements in a timely manner

CLIENT MANAGEMENT

• Perform, at least, quarterly, client service review calls for an allocated portfolio of clients and provide client feedback to management and the rest of the team

CLIENT ONBOARDING

• Provide feedback to the onboarding team and PERE management, together with the Team Leader – Administration, regarding the operational requirements set out in the fund documentation vs the operational capability of the system and help to identify any gaps
• Provide input into the SLA timeframes agreed with the clients 

PROCESSES AND SYSTEM UPDATES

• Assist with the on-going development of the Private Equity IT platform, including the maintenance of reporting templates
• Ensuring compliance with the PERE processes, as defined, and identifying possible efficiencies

REGULATORY

• Assistance with any other regulatory and/or reporting requirements that may arise

OTHER TASKS

• Act as authorized signatory on the bank accounts of our clients
• Liaise and build relationships with other relevant internal teams to ensure a seamless delivery of services to our clients
• Any other ad hoc tasks

Skills and Experience required 

Qualifications & experience:   

• A fully qualified CA (SA) or equivalent with at least 2 years post qualified experience;
• A minimum of one years’ experience as team leader / managing and administration team. 

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, Lux GAAP and ILPA;
• Sound knowledge and understanding of back office systems, including Investran;
• 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; and
• 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; and
• Work collaboratively and effectively within the PERE team as well as other departments within Maitland. 

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.