Senior Associate - Fund Accounting

About Waystone

Waystone is a leading asset-servicing solutions provider of institutional governance, administration, risk and compliance services to financial institutions. With over 25 years’ experience and a comprehensive range of specialist services to its name, Waystone helps our clients structure, operate and grow through our expertise, innovation and digitisation, backed by the operational scale to support global expansion.

Summary:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Waystone are looking to recruit a qualified accountant to join their growing fund administration business based in Exeter, Devon. The successful candidate will be ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified with a minimum 3 years in a relevant environment and possess strong technical accounting, interpersonal and communication skills. The role is responsible for all aspects of fund administration and accounting, including the review of detailed accounting information relating to a portfolio of alternative investments.

The successful candidate will be expected to consistently demonstrate exceptional internal and external service with clients, along with our core values of Integrity, Commitment and Performance.

REQUIREMENTS

Key Accountabilities and Main Responsibilities

• Maintain the accounting records for a number of large fund clients (assets in the £100’s of millions), and liaise with the Investment Managers with respect to the companies’ activities
• Review of Monthly/Quarterly management accounts and other accounting reports in accordance with agreed timetables
• Produce Board packs and attend Board meetings
• Review of Net Asset Valuation reports and supporting calculations
• Prepare half year and annual financial statements in accordance with the relevant accounting standards (IFRS and UK GAAP) and liaise with Auditors
• Act as a mentor to help develop junior staff and oversee their work

Each member of staff has responsibility to adhere to our policies and procedures. In particular, to ensure operational controls are carried out in accordance with agreed procedures and to ensure the ongoing mitigation of business risk. In this regard, regular training should be agreed with the departmental manager / team leader.

Client

• Client Relationship: Point-of-contact for multiple clients (internal and external) at a daily operational level.
• Liaising with Investment Managers, Rental Agents / Property Managers, Depositaries, Auditors, Tax Agents and Brokers where issues arise with regards the day-to-day running of the company.

Operational

• Ensuring books and records are correct and that accounting information is correctly treated.
• Cash and Position Reconciliations, with support from junior team members.
• Review of Company management accounts and associated support schedules
• NAV Calculation preparation and review.
• Ensure deadlines are met by planning and scheduling effectively, including the use of our operational improvement software, Enlighten.

Compliance / Management Information:

• To comply with appropriate internal controls within area of responsibility
• Ensuring that operational checklists are followed
• Prepare and maintain the procedures within the team

Project / Ad hoc duties:

• To complete special projects and to perform other duties as required

Experience & Personal Attributes

Required

• ACCA/CIMA/ACA qualified/finalist.
• Experienced user Excel and Word.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting techniques and principles, sound knowledge of UK GAAP and IFRS.
• Minimum of 3 years strong accounting experience in a relevant environment
• Strong communication skills.
• Demonstrably methodical, organised.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Highly numerate, accurate.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good team player.
• Demonstrate good supervisory and leadership skills.

Desirable

• Yardi / SimCorp Dimension / Allvue / FIS InvestOne (formerly SunGard)
• Financial services experience, desirable but certainly not essential
• Exposure to Group accounting with experience of consolidations
• Subsidiary reporting

Competencies Required

• Self-motivated, enthusiastic and dedicated
• Excellent customer service
• Embraces innovation, change and seeks continuous improvement
• Capable of managing multiple concurrent tasks in a demanding business environment
• Able to work with internal and external stakeholders at all levels, including senior management
• Able to use own initiative and the ability to work through issues with minimal supervision
• Communication
• Results focused
• Technical awareness
• Team Working