Job opening at Apex Group

The Tax Manager individual will be responsible for ensuring clients and/or investors are on boarded from a FATCA and CRS perspective in line with group and local regulatory requirements and the annual FATCA / CRS reports are filed with tax authorities in multi-jurisdictions on a timely basis.  The client base will be Jersey administered entities across all product areas, which file FATCA / CRS reports across various jurisdictions such as Jersey, Guernsey, UK, Luxembourg and Cayman Islands.

The role will involve working closely with the Jersey-based Operations tax team and internal client teams to ensure ongoing accuracy and integrity of client and investor records, review the classifications of new client entities and internal documentation and self-certification forms prepared by juniors, oversee and assist with preparation of the annual FATCA/CRS XMLxmls in correct schema format and line with internal processes and assisting with ad hoc enquiries/projects.

Key duties and responsibilities

• FATCA/CRS servicing for existing client base and review of new investor self-certification forms and classifications in a timely manner to be in line with jurisdictional and Apex group requirements & procedures.
• Ensure the timely classification of new clients along with the preparation of self-certification forms, new GIIN regfistrations and onboarding onto local tax AEOI portals as required
• Review and understand FATCA/CRS requirements in each jurisdiction
• Responding to FATCA/CRS escalations in timely manner
• Participation in and ownership of ad hoc projects
• Managing day to day activities and overseeing day to day activities of juniors in line with internal and external SLA timeframes - pro-active escalation to Line Manager of any potential non-compliance matters.
• Liaise with the Compliance and Risk teams where required
• Ensure all deliverables are met and any anticipated delays escalated
• Train team members and new joiners on all aspects of FATCA/CRS requirements to ensure sufficient coverage across the board
• In addition to AML checks, be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of all aspects of the FATCA/CRS pProcess

Experience and Skills Required

• 5 years+ relevant experience, ideally in a Financial Services / Accounting or Tax team with particular experience in a FATCA and CRS  supervisory role
• Ability to review Self Certification documents, US tax forms (W8BENE, W9), classify accounts and understand XML reporting requirements
• Detailed knowledge of financial operational and/or client onboarding processes
• An understanding of fund structures and the fund administration business ideal
• AML kKnowledge of local and global requirements ideal
• Strong planning and team-management and organizational skills
• Strong communication (verbal and written) and problem-solving skills
• The ability to work with all levels within the organization
• Strong multi-tasking skills
• The ability to adapt to changing priorities and varied decision-making scenarios
• An ability to work to tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop working relationships with colleagues and clients
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvements
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce is desired
• Flexible enough to work in any shifts as per business needs

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The individual will be responsible for ensuring clients and/or investors are on boarded from a FATCA and CRS perspective in line with group and local regulatory requirements and prepare and submit the annual reports to tax authorities in multi-jurisdictions.  The client base will be Jersey administered entities across all product areas, which file FATCA / CRS reports across various jurisdictions such as Jersey, Guernsey, UK, Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands.

The role will involve working closely with the local manager and Jersey-based Operations tax team and internal client teams to ensure ongoing accuracy and integrity of client and investor records, assisting with the classifications of new client entities and preparing internal documentation and self-certification forms, preparing the annual FATCA/in correct schema format and line with internal processes and assisting with ad hoc enquiries/projects.

Key duties and responsibilities

• FATCA/CRS servicing for existing client base and review of new investor self-certification forms and classifications in a timely manner to be in line with jurisdictional and Apex group requirements & procedures.
• Undertake the classification of new clients, prepare self-certification forms, register new GIINs and onboard onto local tax AEOI portals as required
• Review and understand FATCA/CRS requirements in each jurisdiction
• Produce reporting packs, including report templates and relevant checklists
• Responding to FATCA/CRS escalations in timely manner
• Participation in ad hoc projects
• Managing day to day activities in line with internal and external SLA timeframes - pro-active escalation to Manager of any potential non-compliance matters.
• Liaise with the Compliance and Risk teams where required
• Ensure all deliverables are met and any anticipated delays escalated
• In addition to AML checks, be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of all aspects of the FATCA/CRS

Experience and Skills Required

• 2-3 years+ relevant experience, ideally in a Financial Services / Accounting or Tax team
• Previous 1-2 years experience of FATCA and CRS reporting ideal, including ability to review Self Certification documents, US tax forms (W8BENE, W9), classify accounts and understand XML reporting requirements
• Detailed knowledge of financial operational and/or client onboarding processes
• An understanding of fund structures and the fund administration business ideal
• AML knowledge of local and global requirements ideal
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Strong communication (verbal and written) and problem-solving skills
• The ability to work with all levels within the organization
• Strong multi-tasking skills
• The ability to adapt to changing priorities and varied decision-making scenarios
• An ability to work to tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop working relationships with colleagues and clients
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvements
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce is desired
• Flexible enough to work in any shifts as per business needs

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Role summary

The supervisor’s role involves monitoring and controlling the service as delivered by their team of Senior Fund Accountants and Fund Accountants throughout the contract with the client, to ensure that; they identify the training and development needs of his/her team, mentor team members, perform a thorough review of valuations up to final sign-off stage, ensure service levels are maintained and liaise with clients and assist with the implementation of new processes and procedures.

Key responsibilities

• Planning and controlling team workload and workflow;
• Provide informal on the job training for team members;
• Liaise with the other departments in respect of issues affecting the output of the supervisor’s team;
• Ensure that Accounting and Valuations procedures are correctly followed by the team under their supervision;
• Ensure that Net Asset Value calculations are prepared in a timely, efficient and accurate manner;
• Review valuations up to final sign-off stage;
• Ensure that valuation reports are sent to clients within agreed deadlines;
• Resolve client queries timeously;
• Provide fund auditors with required information and explanations as requested;
• Suggest and implement valuation procedure and process improvements.

Skills / experience

• Commerce degree or diploma with at least Financial Accounting 2;
• At least 5 years related experience;
• Proficient in MS Excel;
• Hedge fund industry knowledge;
• Necessary management and interpersonal skills to manage a team of fund accountants;
• Thorough knowledge of the fund valuation process and all elements thereof;
• A high level of attention to detail and accuracy in order to review valuations and ensure a high level of quality in the output of the Accounting and Valuations function;
• Effective time management skills to achieve deadlines;
• A high level of problem-solving skills;
• Exceptional communication skills.

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Role Summary:

We are seeking a Senior Fund Accountant, reporting to a Manager within the Alternative Asset Services of Apex, to have responsibility for the preparations of accurate portfolio valuations on a timely basis. You will typically be responsible for the preparation/overseeing of a number of client portfolios (underlying accounting, financial statements preparation, regulatory requirements) including the development and mentoring of more junior team members and providing the highest quality of customer services portfolio. 

Key responsibilities:

• Working with the Assistant Manager, Manager and Director to ensure the planning, coordination and completion of NAVs, Management Reporting and Statutory Reporting of corporate entities to ensure the team complies with all of its accounting and regulatory obligations and requirements including listing requirements and client reporting;
• Assist with the Supervision and mentoring of a number of trainee fund accountants and fund accountants;
• Liaising with fund managers, brokers, and custodians to communicate information and resolve issues on a timely basis;
• Ensure that client responsibilities are managed effectively and to agreed client, best practice, regulatory and statutory deadlines;
• Assisting the external auditors to ensure the audit function is executed on a timely and efficient basis;
• Performing any additional responsibilities that may be required in the support of the on-going management and development of the division;
• Preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual NAV’s;
• Management accounts and IPD’s;
• Preparation of annual statutory financial statements.

Skills/experience:
Commerce degree with:

• Registered accountant with SAICA; no post-article experience required;
• Proficient in MS Excel;
• Structural and detail orientated;
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills;
• Ability to prioritize work and meet strict deadlines;
• Excellent communication and organization skills;
• Motivated and driven;
• Minimum of 2 years fund related accounting experience;
• Private Debt and Capital Markets knowledge will be a distinct advantage.

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Role Summary: 

We are seeking a Manager, reporting to an Associate Director/Senior Manager within the Alternative Asset Services of Apex, covering financial reporting obligations to support the growing Private Debt and Capital Markets, Real Assets, and Private Equity teams, with a particular focus on the development and mentoring of the team members.

Also, including working procedures and processes for the Johannesburg office and the alternative asset services teams and providing the highest quality of customer service. Given the divisional responsibilities outlined below, the candidate will require to have significant experience and expertise.

Key responsibilities:

• Joint responsibility for assisting in the development of the Private Debt and Capital Market, Real Assets and Private Equity Teams in Johannesburg and for the day-to-day financial reporting and management of portfolios of clients across these teams;
• Assisting in the Management of specialised services teams on all aspects of financial reporting, including working directly with Apex's customers to ensure their structures are run efficiently in compliance with the relevant laws and contractual obligations, and being involved with the management team to strategically build the Debt, RA and PE business;
• Working with the management team and Directors to ensure the planning, coordination and completion of NAVs, Management Reporting and Statutory Reporting of the structures to ensure the team complies with all of its accounting and regulatory obligations;
• Ensuring quality control prior to the further review and approval of Apex's authorised persons including payments, calculations and transactions;
• Preparation and implementation of entity customer specific procedures in relation to the reporting requirements;
• Ensuring reporting complies with entity and statutory requirements including local law, relevant GAAP, including IFRS and other reporting principles;
• Development and maintenance of divisional and departmental policies and procedures;
• Ensuring that all day-to-day matters required to be completed are performed in a timely and satisfactory manner including monitoring tasks and delegating these across the relevant managers team; Support the implementation of new structures;
• Act as primary point of contact with auditors in respect of the planning and coordination of the audits;
• Be able to provide sound, quality, and technical guidance to clients; Assist with the training of junior staff;
• Perform other duties as necessary to support the strategic development of the client team including client meetings, new business pitches and new business proposals.

Skills/experience:

Professional qualification – CA, ACA, ACCA, or equivalent with:

• Ideally three-four years of experience in a similar relevant capability in the finance industry;
• An understanding of regulatory and financial reporting regime and IFRS;
• Ability to motivate and influence a team, high managerial skills