Senior Fund Accountant – Private Equity and Real Estate needed at Apex Group

Description 

• The successful applicant’s primary responsibility will be to perform the accounting functions and the related reporting deliverables of our PERE clients in line with the relevant service level agreements. Additionally, the successful applicant will assist the Team Leader with certain review functions and provide training and guidance to accountants.

 Job specification 

• 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, with the assistance of the team leader where needed
• Manage / facilitate investor transactions, such as capital calls and distributions.
• Perform the accounting for investor related transactions.
• Obtain an in-depth understanding of the client’s fund documentation and requirements.
• Assist with fund payments.
• 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.
• 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 allocate 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
• Perform, regular client operational calls for an allocated portfolio of clients and provide  delivery of services to our clients.
• Liaise and build relationships with other relevant internal teams to ensure a seamless delivery of services to our clients.
• Assist the Team Leader – Accounting with the review of select, non-complex funds.
• Provide guidance and on-the-job training to interns and junior accountants.
• Assistance with any other regulatory/internal reporting requirements
• Any other ad hoc tasks as required.

Skills Required:

• An accounting qualification (minimum B. Com Accounting or equivalent)
• Preference will be given to candidates working towards a professional qualification such as CA(SA), ACCA or CIMA.
• 3 years relevant accounting experience in a similar industry or business type, preference will be given to staff with private equity or real estate experience
• 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 (2010) including Excel, Word, and Outlook email.
• Experience with Investran will be advantageous.
• Highly organized, efficient and professional with excellent administrative and organizational skills.
• Have a confident, professional and an enthusiastic approach when dealing with client 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 PERE team as well as other departments.
• 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