Trust Specialist (JHB Illovo) at BDO South Africa

Role purpose:

• The Trust Specialist is responsible for managing an allocated portfolio of trusts and providing trustees with professional, accurate and responsive trust administration support.
• The role covers the full trust administration process, including client onboarding, governance, compliance, trustee meetings, resolutions, beneficial ownership, banking support, financial and tax coordination, Master’s Office submissions, annual administration and invoicing.
• The Trust Specialist supports the trustees in meeting their responsibilities under the trust deed and the Trust Property Control Act. All fiduciary decisions and legal duties remain with the formally appointed trustees.

Responsibilities will include the following:

• Managing an allocated portfolio of Trusts
• Attending to all aspects of trust administration in accordance with the trust deed and the Trust Property Control Act, including client onboarding, annual administration, governance, compliance and recordkeeping;
• Reviewing trust deeds and Letters of Authority, and maintaining accurate trustee, beneficiary, beneficial ownership, FICA;
• Preparing trustee resolutions, meeting agendas and minutes, maintaining asset information, and coordinating annual financial statements, tax, banking and investment requirements;
• Preparing and coordinating trustee appointments, resignations, removals, trust amendments and deregistrations, and attending to queries from the Master of the High Court;
• Monitoring annual and statutory deadlines, compliance matters, and escalating any legal, tax, governance or risk concerns;
• Invoicing
• Effectively communicating with trustees, beneficiaries, clients and internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

You will be required to have:

• +/- 5 years experience in trust administration, fiduciary environment
• Advanced Diploma in Estates and Trust Administration would be an advantage
• A good working knowledge of the Trust Property Control Act, FICA, beneficial ownership and Master of the High Court processes
• Membership of FISA or STEP, or progress towards a relevant fiduciary qualification

This position will require somebody with the following competencies:

• Strong organisational skills
• Time management ability
• Client Relationship focused with good communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and analytical ability
• Task driven, proactive and solution focused
• Structured and able to work independently and as part of a team