- The role of Audit Oversight has unique requirements and duties; however, these responsibilities are to be executed within the organization s framework of core values.
- It is expected all employees to be high performing, self-motivated, learners and leaders.
- Audit Oversight primary responsibility will be to oversee the management of the annual and semi-annual audit process across managed funds within the businesses for Europe, covering both AIFM and UCITS Management Company responsibilities.
- This role will involve ensuring the integrity and regulatory compliance of the financial statements produced across the managed funds, ensuring the managed funds financial statements adhere to relevant accounting standards, and more broadly ensuring the financial reporting process is being completed on a timely basis.
Key Accountabilities and main responsibilities - Ensure all internal and external service levels and regulatory deadlines are met within the Fund Accounting team
- Scoping, co-ordination, and delivery of the annual audit plan internally across the managed funds.
- Review of both audited and unaudited financial statements across the managed funds.
- Preparation of any materials required in order to assist in the sign off and approval of financial statements as requested by the relevant fund board.
- Assist in the winddown and liquidation process for the funds closing down through review of termination financial accounts where required.
- Collaborate closely on a regular basis with internal onshore teams to ensure required Fund Financial Statements are produced, submitted and finalized to the satisfaction of their Directors and within audit deadlines.
- Assist with the design and implementation of internal operating procedures & controls, ensure on-going adherence to policies and co-ordinate with other internal teams to ensure successful financial reporting oversight of Funds and SPVs.
- Keep abreast of regulatory changes that impact the financial statement process.
- Actively question methods and processes with the key to making the team more effective and efficient.
- Initiate and implement processes and procedures to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the team.
- Actively participate and prepare MIS for internal oversight meetings with the onshore team.
- Foster positive team environment and ensure open communication.
- Assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of policies and procedural manuals
- Coordinate direct reports to assist colleagues when capacity permits with wider operational deliverables.
- Coordinate the training and development of new staff members.
- Ensure all task procedures are followed in order to result in accurate audit of reports. On an ongoing basis, ensure all procedures are maintained and that they reflect updates brought about from internal policy or regulation changes
- Support and review business process and system changes, ensuring business accuracy around all documentation and impacts to service delivery
- Maintain department procedures in accordance with regulatory requirements, SLA s, best practice, and Company policies.
- Identify instances of non-compliance and refer to the Operations Manager, UK Senior Managers, and the Compliance Department, and resolve them.
- Create and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and assist other areas of the business as and when required.
- Maintain own professional competence.
- For areas of responsibility, ensure:
- Emerging risks are identified, assessed, and captured within the departmental risk register and, where appropriate, subject to escalation to senior management.
- Operational controls are carried out in accordance with the laid down business policies and procedures.
- Actions for control improvements are dealt with in accordance with agreed timescales.
- Proactivity in identifying areas for control improvement.
Experience & Personal Attributes
REQUIREMENTS
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education:
- A degree in Finance or Accountancy, and a qualification as a Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Financial Analyst or Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst.
Essential
- Minimum 4 years experience within a Fund Admin environment, Accounting Practice and/or Fund Management Company.
- Knowledge of Financial Reporting delivery and reporting in addition to audit experience.
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, including reporting and providing support to various members of the team.
- Outstanding time management, organizational skills, oral/written communication skills, critical thinking and attention to detail is required.
- Strong MS Office and Analytic Skills; mid-level information management software experience required.
- Previous experience of working in a Fund Administration or Fund Accounting, Investment industry
- Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Excellent analytical skills with particular focus on investment / market data
- The ability to work to strict deadlines whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy
- Proven ability to operate independently and take the initiative
- Able to maintain a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure/to tight deadlines. Experience of working in a busy highly deadline-driven department
- Willingness to work in Rotational Shifts which would start at 11:00 AM
Desirable
- Previous experience in Auditing financial statements for AIFM and UCITS
- Experience of Asset trade administration or trade capture.
- Relevant regulatory exams (e.g., IOC, IMC) would be preferred
- 4+ years experience in Fund industry.
- Customer focused with the ability to collaborate with others to achieve desired outcomes
- Excellent attention to detail
- Prioritisation and time management skills, demonstrating flexibility and ability to work autonomously
- Demonstrates good teamwork ethic, showing willingness to assist peers and take on additional tasks
- Actively seeks out self-improvement, professional development opportunities and feedback
- Takes ownership of role, responsibilities, and impact on the wider team
