International Finance, Fund Finance Oversight, Associate Full Time

Seeking an Associate for a newly established team, BEFM Fund Finance Oversight team (FFO). The FFO team is responsible for ensuring that the financial reporting requirements of the AIFs, UCITS and SMAs (the “Funds”) are met, including all corporate, statutory, regulatory and tax reporting matters. In addition, the FFO team is responsible for the oversight of the delegates or other finance service providers / counterparties. The role will be a key part of the International Finance team in Luxembourg and will report to the Luxembourg head of Fund Finance Oversight team. It is part of a small team and therefore is a hands-on role. Working closely with the other Finance teams globally, he/she will be responsible for the following areas, with an expertise focused on some fund strategies.

Financial Reporting (34%)

• Responsibility for the timely delivery of high quality financial and management reporting for the Funds.
• Playing an integral part in the smooth running of the year-end audits for the Funds, working with the various stakeholders, including external auditor, Group fund accounting teams and Fund administrators (e.g. reviewing the audit budget & audit scope, organize the audit planning meeting, reviewing the financial statements, audit report, audit representation letter, participation to the completion of the SAQ for regulated Funds and AIFM).
• Responsibility for all regulatory returns (e.g. AIFMD annual report, Annex IV reporting) and tax returns (incl. VAT, FATCA & CRS) for the Funds.
• Control budget and fees for our service providers.

Oversight of delegates and other counterparties (the “counterparties”) (33%)

• Supporting the oversight of fund administrators and depositaries, which includes the review and challenge of key performance indicators produced by the counterparties, but also the coordination within the Group in case of operational issues or new regulatory requirements to implement.
• Supporting Group operations teams and depositary banks on ownership verification of assets held by the Funds (e.g. participation to regular calls on investment activity, reconciliation of Fund’s portfolio).
• Supporting the onboarding of Fund administrator and depositary bank in case a new Fund is launched (e.g. reviewing constitutive Fund documents and legal agreements, performing a risk assessment on each new Fund launch, implementing or amending Fund administrator or depositary bank operating memorandum).
• Preparing the periodic due diligence on Fund administrators and depositary banks (e.g. review of the due diligence questionnaire, review of the answers received, on-site visit, preparation of the due diligence report).
• Coordination of the other due diligences needed (e.g. sub-custodian, due diligence the Depositary Banks should perform on AIFM or on Fund administrator and other Blackstone affiliates).

Governance and reporting to senior management (33%)

• Proposing improvements of the FFO processes, enhancement of procedures and processes as well as the use of offshore resources and technology.
• Ensuring a robust control environment for all financial reporting, to ensure compliance with all relevant obligations (e.g. reviewing and amending policies and procedures accordingly).
• Assisting the Investor Relations team with ad-hoc and recurring requests from current investors, as well as addressing requests in respect of prospective investors (e.g. preparing supporting documents in case of an operational due diligence made by an investor).
• Preparing management information for the Management Committee meetings and BEFM & Fund Board Meetings
• Other general administrative tasks.

Qualifications & Skills

Blackstone seeks to hire individuals who work well in a team, are highly motivated, with a sound judgment and have demonstrated excellence in prior endeavors.

• Master’s Degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting or similar discipline.
• +4 years of relevant financial services industry experience (including a prior experience in a Big 4 as a consultant or an auditor) with good understanding of alternative industry operations.
• Experience in due diligence of Fund administrator, depositary bank or AIFM is an asset.
• Knowledge of the local regulatory requirements in relation to AIFM (e.g., circ. CSSF 18/698, 18/697, 22/811). Knowledge of the local requirements in relation to UCITS, UCI Part II (FCP, SICAV), RAIF is a plus.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and MS PowerPoint required (ability to produce creative, compelling, detailed reporting materials). Strong appetite to use of technology.
• Collaborative team player with confidence to build relationships and be the primary contact point for a range of senior stakeholders.
• Fluent in English, both written and oral.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to effectively manage and coach offshore staff.
• Superior communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly motivated individual with the ability to work on own initiative and manage competing priorities to tight reporting deadlines.
• Highly organised, goal oriented, and solutions focused.
• Great attention to details and accountability for delivery.
• Proactive and able to suggest new efficient solutions.

Source: Blackstone Career Page

Tagged as: REPE Firm