Accountant 1, Fund accounting

ABOUT IQ-EQ
We’re a leading Investor Services group offering end-to-end services in administration, accounting, reporting, regulatory and compliance needs of the investment sector worldwide. We employ a global workforce of 5,800+ people across 25 jurisdictions and have assets under administration (AUA) exceeding US$750 billion. We work with 13 of the world’s top 15 private equity firms. Our services are underpinned by a Group-wide commitment to ESG and best-in-class technology including a global data platform and innovative proprietary tools supported by in-house experts. Above all, what makes us different is our people. Operating as trusted partners to our clients, we deliver intelligent solutions through a combination of technical expertise and strong relationships based on deep client understanding. We’re driven by our Group purpose, to power people and possibilities.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Accountant

Office: India

Department: Client Services

Job Summary

• To provide and ensure the timely and high-quality service and deliverables to leading private equity and funds clients under the guidance and direction from supervisors, allocated to you on a regular basis.
• Concentrates on delivering consistent results by focusing mainly on preparation of core processes, low complex ad hoc work and minimal client requirements. Performs self-review of core processes to demonstrate self-awareness in gaining productive insights into professional and personal strengths and areas of development.
• Responsible in preparation and completion of NAV and Financials of the private equity funds that include recording journal entries, preparing monthly/quarterly/annual financials, processing payments, preparing investor notices and various client reporting.
• Responsible in preparation and completion of capital call and distribution workings along with notices and release to respective investors.
• Assist with conversion of Private Equity Funds from other accounting applications to Investran.
• Assist with onboarding new Private Equity Funds in the accounting platform (Investran, Paxus).
• This entails assisting in all reporting requirements, such as but not limited to financial statements, working papers/ management accounts, partner statements and ad-hoc client deliverables.
• To assist in various accounting and administration processes and conduct all work in accordance with IQ-EQ India Global Client Delivery's policies and procedures.

Core Responsibilities

• Responsible for the preparation of Financial Statements with Disclosures, NAV reporting and other ad-hoc service requests for funds and/or corporate clients.
• To ensure all deliverables are timely and accurate.
• Acquiring knowledge of designated clients' requirements and deliverables.
• Ensure compliance by following procedures and checklists following SSAE and other similar statutory requirements.
• Proactively seeks adequate training, feedback, and support in both technical and non-technical aspects of the role.
• Guides new peers and/or junior members of the team on the client specifics and other deliverables (Technical).

Tasks & Duties

Cluster Client Delivery

• Acquires knowledge and understanding of the clients’ agreements, Scope of Work (SOW), SLA’s and other necessary information needed to prepare deliverables.
• Ensures complete information, data, supporting documents, etc. are received for the preparation of the needed requirements. To acknowledge or to escalate the completeness of the information, data, supporting documents, etc. to the Senior Accountant.
• Delivers consistent and quality information within the agreed timeframes.
• Prepare, complete, and ensure the quality of the assigned clients’ deliverables within the agreed timelines
• To be knowledgeable with the components of the reports generated by the appropriate platform/s
• To be able to review outputs and all other deliverables prepared.
• To address review comments.
• Takes ownership, prepares, and replies to cluster/Client/Investor’s queries within 24 hours.
• Escalate any job-related issues and concerns to the appropriate authorities in a timely manner.
• Provides support to the rest of the team and other teams, as needed.
• To act as an alternate for Senior Accountants or Assistant Managers based on business needs.
• Responsible for consolidating queries, requirements, and comments from the client. Researches and validates the team's interpretation of the requirements, when needed, to the technical team.

Workflow Management

• Ensures timesheets are completed daily and accurately filed for all hours worked.
• Sets up, monitors, updates and closes all deliverables via the workflow planner.

Systems

• Understands and uses best practice on accounting platform/s.
• Understands and becomes knowledgeable on how to generate reports using reporting platform/s.

Risks

• Ensures relevant procedures, checklists and SSAE requirements are adhered to and completed to mitigate errors.
• Reports any breaches, complaints, or errors to appropriate authorities in a timely manner.
• Assists in the preparation of error reports, identifies the areas of operational risk and participates in proposing appropriate remedial actions within 24 hours of identifying the error.

Other

• May undertake any additional tasks and/or responsibilities as part of their professional development which may or may not be related to their specific function.
• Escalates any other work-related issues and concerns to the appropriate authorities in a timely manner.

Key behaviours we expect to see

In addition to demonstrating our Group Values (Authentic, Bold, and Collaborative), the role holder will be expected to demonstrate the following:

• Action Oriented - Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Being Resilient - Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Self-Development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Customer Focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness - Using a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.
• Plans & Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organisational goals.
• Manages Conflict - Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Interpersonal Savvy - Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Organizational Savvy - Manoeuvring comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organisational dynamics.

Qualifications and Experience Required for this Role

Essential

Education / professional qualifications

Graduate of accounting or any business-related course with 2+ years relevant accounting experience.

Fundamental knowledge of IndAS, IFRS and GAAPs of different jurisdictions (US, UK, and Lux). Preparation of Financial Statements using applicable laws and regulations.

Fluency in English and an additional foreign language.

Background experience

Knowledgeable in the preparation of working paper files, financial statements with disclosures and other financial information. Operational experience in fund accounting services, preferably in handling private equity.

Technical

Intermediate Excel skills such as pivot tables, lookup, “if” and other similar functions.

Computer / program knowledge

Experience in e-mail, word processing and video conferencing applications such as Microsoft Office.

Effective written and verbal intermediate communication skills.

Experience in using accounting software (Investran/Paxus software).

Desired

• Desire to complete Certified Public Accountant qualification, if applicable.
• Experience working in Financial Services or Shared Services office environment.
• Experience working in a multinational office environment.
• Open to travel and other secondment opportunities abroad.
• University Degree in Accountancy and other accounting-related courses.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU AND THE ENVIRONMENT

As a forward-looking business, sustainability is integral to our strategy and operations. Our sustainability depends on us building and maintaining meaningful, long-term relationships with all our stakeholders – including our employees, clients, and local communities – while also reducing our impact on our natural environment.

There is always more we can, and should do, to improve – whether in relation to our people, our clients, our planet, or our governance. Our ongoing success as a business depends on our sustainability and agility in a changing and challenging global landscape. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and diverse culture for our people, led by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion steering committee.

Our learning and development programmes and systems (including PowerU and MyCampus) enable us to invest in growing our employees’ careers, while our hybrid working approach supports our employees in achieving balance and flexibility while remaining connected to their colleagues. We want to empower our 5,500+ employees - from 94 nationalities, speaking 41 languages across 25 countries - to each achieve their potential. Through IQ-EQ Launchpad we support female managers launching their first fund, in an environment where only 15% of all private equity and venture capital firms are gender balanced.

We’re committed to growing long-term relationships with our clients and supporting them in achieving their objectives. We understand that our clients' sustainability and success leads to our sustainability and success. We’re emotionally invested in our clients right from the beginning.