Senior Fund Accountant

Company Description

Fund services | Corporate | Capital markets | Private client | Regulatory & Compliance

We help clients succeed by unlocking new value through expertise, trust and scale. We deliver solutions that solve complex challenges faced by asset managers, financial institutions, corporates, high net-worth individuals and family offices.

We’re a trusted partner to over 8,000 clients globally. We are proud to have long-lasting partnerships with our clients. With more than 1,800 colleagues, we operate across 20+ countries, our scale enables us to support our clients globally and locally, providing a seamless client experience across borders and service lines.

Job Description

Purpose of the Role

This is a senior position requiring an ACA or ACCA qualified person with excellent technical knowledge and understanding of current accounting standards, particularly IFRS and UK GAAP. 

4 reasons why a qualified accountant might want a fund accountant role:

1. Interest in the investment industry: Fund accounting involves working with investment funds, which may be either private equity or PLCs listed on the London Stock Exchange. The underlying investments span a broad range of areas, including renewable energy, property, equity, loans and technology to name a few. If the accountant has a keen interest in the financial markets and investment strategies, a fund accountant role can provide valuable exposure to this industry.

2. Career growth opportunities: Fund accounting can offer excellent career growth prospects. Working with investment funds can provide exposure to complex financial instruments, portfolio management strategies, and regulatory compliance. This experience can be valuable for advancing one's career in finance, asset management, or even starting a venture in the investment sector. There are many examples of career growth within Ocorian, whereby people have started as a fund accountant and have progressed to management and beyond.

3. Skill development: The core work of a Fund Accountant is producing management and statutory accounts, as well as client management, audit engagement and knowledge of financial reporting. These skills are transferrable across the wider accounting industry. However, fund accounting introduces some other unique skill sets, including investment analysis and performance measurement. By transitioning into a fund accountant role, a qualified accountant can enhance their skill set and broaden their professional expertise.

4. Networking opportunities: Working in the fund accounting industry can provide opportunities to connect with professionals from various segments of the financial services industry, including investment managers, company secretaries, brokers, and auditors. This networking can open doors for future career opportunities or collaborations.”

Main responsibilities

• Responsible for the planning and preparation of financial reports for a portfolio of funds, ensuring reporting deadlines are met and the delivery of client accounting requirements are in compliance with the Company’s contractual obligations.
• Develop an understanding of all entities within the fund structure, the nature of their transactions and reporting requirements. 
• Ensure that current accounting standards (UK GAAP, IFRS or US GAAP) and best practice principles are applied to the accounts production process and kept current as such standards and principles develop. 
• Establish and set up reporting for new funds based on fund documents and client reporting requirements. 
• Provide guidance and support to administration team to ensure that the bookkeeping and accounting arising from transactions are performed in a timely and accurate manner. 
• Calculate Net Asset Values in accordance with individual funds’ requirements. 
• Liaise with clients and other professional advisers to agree timetables for the production of accounts. 
• Attend board meetings and other client meetings to present accounts and discuss accounting related matters. 
• Liaise with auditors to ensure the timely completion of audits for fund and fund related entities. 
• Ensure that regulatory and statutory reporting requirements are met. 
• Ensure that continuing obligations of stock exchange listed entities are met in so far as they relate to the financial accounting responsibilities. 
• Contribute to the training, development and performance appraisal of the accounts team by maintaining quality control measures and seeking to constantly improve departmental and individual performance. 
• Ensure the Company’s policies and procedures are used and adhered to within the accounts team and to be part of the continuing development of those policies and procedures. 
• Assist, where applicable, in the production of proposals for new business opportunities and in compiling the fee quotations for such opportunities. 

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Qualifications

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Qualified Accountant - ACCA/ACA or equivlaent 
• Solid and pragmatic accounting skills and technical accounting knowledge
• Excellent presentational, written and verbal communication skills 
• Meticulous attention to detail 
• Excellent organisational and planning skills including managing expectations which will include determining that which is important versus that which is urgent 
• Advanced Excel skills and strong IT skills 
• The ability, desire and clarity of thought to further define and develop the scope of the role 
• Professionalism and ability to win the respect of clients 
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team 

Additional Information

Our Values

All staff are expected to embody our core values that underpin everything that we do and that reflect the skills and behaviours we all need to be successful.  These are:

• We are CLIENT CENTRIC – Clients are at the centre of our world, and we’re committed to providing expertise and specialist solutions to meet their most complex challenges.
• We are AMBITIOUS – We aim high. We think and act globally, seizing every opportunity to delight our clients and support our colleagues - wherever in the world they may be.
• We are AGILE – We act on our initiative to get things done for our clients. Our independence gives us the flexibility and freedom to keep things simple, efficient and effective.
• We are COLLABORATIVE – With a curious mindset, we ask the right questions to get to the right solution, for our clients faster. We collaborate to win together and share our successes.
• We are ETHICAL – We behave with integrity at all times and assume positive intent, building trust through responsible actions and honest relationships.