Role Summary
The Senior Fund Operations Analyst is responsible for the execution, detailed review and continuous enhancement of fund accounting, valuation, cash management and reporting activities across alternative investment vehicles (private equity, private debt, real estate, infrastructure, and hedge funds). This role operates with a high degree of independence and technical expertise, serving as a subject matter resource within the team. The individual handles complex transactions, performs analytical reviews of administrator outputs, resolves escalated issues and partners closely with investment teams, administrators, custodians, auditors, and internal stakeholders. The role does not carry formal people management responsibility but may involve providing guidance and support to Analysts.
The responsibilities of the individual in this position include:
Regulatory & Business Conduct
Displaying exemplary conduct and living by our organisation’s Code of Conduct.
Taking personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct across the business.
Effectively and collaboratively identifying, escalating, mitigating and resolving risk, conduct and compliance.
Fund Support
Capital calls and distributions/subscriptions and redemptions.
Assisting with the preparation, tracking and completion of fund investment transactions, including detailed documentation and obtaining or providing required approvals.
Cash management and fund expenses.
Preparation of wire instructions, cash projections and reconciliations.
Reconciling unfunded commitments.
Reviewing and resolving the trade query emails from the Fund Administrator and other stakeholders.
Client Service
Acting as a point of contact/liaison with the investment team and administrators/custodians.
Dealing with Fund Administration in relation to day-to-day operations of alternative investments
Point of contact regarding the reporting aspects of the funds.
Addressing all inquiries with professionalism and timeliness.
Reporting
Internal/external reporting
Preparing, coordinating and distributing various internal and external reports, as well as various ad-hoc reports.
Providing audit and tax support
Obtaining and tracking K-1s and foreign reporting information from underlying funds.
Assisting with FATCA and Common Reporting Standard (CRS) compliance.
Preparing data for responding to client requests and audit confirmations.
Fund Accounting
Performing detailed review of NAV packages, financial statements, capital account statements, and supporting schedules.
Assessing expense allocations, accruals and performance fee calculations for reasonableness and compliance with governing documents.
Challenging fund administrator calculations where discrepancies arise.
Supporting audit processes through review of supporting documentation and coordination of information requests.
Fund Valuation
Valuation support
Retrieving and tracking large quantities of PE/RE portfolio company valuations and inputting into industry-specific applications (Backstop).
Preparing portfolio valuations and quarterly reports for internal and external clients.
Providing monitoring and signoff on estimate and Final NAVs
Interacting with fund administrators on a regular basis.
Systems Support
Inputting and maintaining fund and investor data.
Responding to queries and producing reports.
Process Improvement
Identifying control gaps or process inefficiencies.
Proposing and implementing operational enhancements.
Assisting with system improvements and automation initiatives.
Contributing to documentation of policies and procedures.
The successful candidate will have extensive demonstrable skills and experiences including the following:
Accountancy qualification or equivalent investment management or financial services certification/diploma preferred.
Experience carrying out a similar role within an Asset Manager or Custodian.
Undergraduate degree (ideally Mathematics, Economics or similar) or equivalent qualification / experience.
Excellent stakeholder client service skills
Good written and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a highly functioning team.
Able to work efficiently under pressure with minimal supervision..
Good understanding of the investment strategies of alternative funds, specifically private equity, private debt, private real estate, infrastructure and hedge funds.
Strong understanding of industry standards in the marketplace and how they compare to Russell Investment's products.
Experience with AIFM, fund administrators and/or custodians is desirable.
Knowledge of GAAP, Investment Act of 1940, Common Reporting Standard, Antimony Laundering Laws and/or other EU/UK/US securities regulations a plus.
Working knowledge of Microsoft office products.