Director, Private Equity and Hedge Fund, Alternative Funds

021 SEI Investments Company; Oaks (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SEI Investments Company, within the Investment Manager Services Division, seeks a Fund Accounting Director to lead day-to-day premium accounting services for hedge and private equity funds. You will oversee client relationships, shareholder reporting, and administration while guiding operational efficiency and policy development.

You will interact with Boards/Trustees, coordinate with Tax and Legal departments, and mentor managers to ensure high-quality service delivery across funds.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years proven operations management experience leading multiple teams
• Minimum 6 years in a public accounting firm with experience in financial services
• Significant direct experience with accounting for mutual funds and unitized pooled investments
• Genuine familiarity with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
• CPA preferred
• Strong knowledge of GAAP for investment companies and related reporting requirements

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day premium accounting services for client funds and relationships
• Lead client management and ensure quality delivery of Fund Accounting, Shareholder Reporting and Administration
• Direct operational ownership and collaborate with SEI teams and external clients
• Develop and implement operational policies to improve efficiency and control
• Oversee staffing, training, performance evaluations and career development
• Coordinate with Tax and Legal Departments on fund issues
• Support business development through fund accounting responses to RFPs/RFIs

Skills

Operations management

Leadership

Financial services knowledge

GAAP knowledge

Education

BA/BS in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Mathematics or equivalent

CPA preferred

Job description

The Investment Manager Services Division (IMS) at SEI is growing rapidly and is seeking new members on our Alternative Investment Funds Fund Accountant Team. Our primary goal is to provide exceptional customer service and accounting and administration servicing for our clients’ assigned hedge and private equity funds. As a Fund Accounting Director, you will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of premium accounting services to the internal and external clients connected to the Director’s bundle of service relationships (i.e., responsibility and authority over the day-to-day tactical accounting operations management related to those client relationships). These responsibilities are to be carried out in a manner consistent with the vision, goals and policies of the unit. You will have operational ownership and leadership for a bundle of service relationships and will be expected to work with the unit’s Senior Operations Officers, other Fund Accounting and Administration Directors and other unit personnel, the SEI Solutions Team, other SEI market units, external clients, auditors and vendors to coordinate, facilitate and execute on the delivery of a cost-focused, efficient, standardized and predictable service to the respective marketplace. You will also be responsible for directing the overall operations functions, including all aspects of transaction initiation and service requests via multiple channels, and training through the supervision of managers and supervisors to ensure the highest quality service to SEI’s clients. You will oversee and be responsible for developing and implementing procedures for maintaining and/or enhancing client service and quality and for improving operational efficiency. You will be responsible for formulating and/or implementing operations policies and procedures to facilitate processes according to corporate standards.

What you will do:

Client Management

You will understand, communicate and resolve unique client issues in tandem with SEI Relationship Teams

You will ensure the overall quality and delivery of Fund Accounting, Shareholder Reporting and Administration services in accordance with client-specific service model

You will serve as senior technical and operational resource for client

You will interact with the Board of Directors/Trustees connected to the Director’s bundle of service relationships

In certain circumstances, you will serve as the Chief Financial Officer of client funds

Technical Consulting

You will identify, interpret, apply and communicate accounting and industry rules and regulations

You will identify trends in the investment management business and adjust operational services accordingly

Departmental Leadership

You will create, communicate, monitor and reinforce departmental vision, goals and objectives

You will actively participate in regular senior management meetings and initiatives

You will promote integration of Fund Accounting Department with other SEI lines of business

You will participate in management skills training and development of staff

You will set and enforce departmental policies

You will develop and communicate goals and objectives for the team, and formulate specific action plans

Periodically review prioritization of team goals and objectives and monitor progress regularly

You will conduct performance appraisals, monthly one-on-ones with the team analysts and supervisors and provide career pathing and training

You will also ensure staffing requirements are met by participating in interviews and hiring processes

You will provide and foster a team environment to include individual development, promotions and disciplinary action

You will participate in or lead departmental projects as applicable

Fund Administration Oversight

You will review fund financial statements, fund documents, regulatory filings, etc.

You will review fund budgets and other pro-forma analyses

You will work closely with Tax and Legal Departments on unique issues

You will direct, lead and orchestrate the pace and process of change to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness

Operational Oversight

You will ensure premier client service that meets or exceeds client expectations

You will monitor all current service and quality indicators and establish related goals

You will provide daily oversight and review of significant fund level threshold deviations

You will manage staff resources to ensure proper client coverage and service

You will set departmental policies and procedures related to the operational control environment

You will monitor and oversee third party vendor performance as it relates to the daily operations

You will monitor and oversee the progress of the funds’ annual audits

Sales Support

You will write and coordinate fund accounting-related responses to RFP’s and RFI’s

We want you to succeed and help us continue to enhance our operational efficiency and effectiveness on an ongoing basis! Through attending and participating in various IMS and corporate professional development sessions, you will be provided with the tools to identify potential process improvements across the division and organization. You will have the opportunity to partner with a diverse team and grow your career.

What we need from you:

• BA / BS in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Mathematics or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 10 years proven operations management experience leading multiple teams in a changing environment or a minimum of 6 years in a public accounting firm with specific experience in the financial services field.
• CPA preferred
• Significant direct, relevant experience with accounting for mutual funds and other unitized pooled investment vehicles
• Strong knowledge of security trading practices in a back office environment
• Genuine familiarity with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
• Experience in reviewing fund financial statements and an understanding of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for investment companies and related reporting requirements
• Proven track record of successfully managing operational teams or departments

What we would like from you:

• A drive to broaden one’s knowledge of the financial services industry by learning new concepts and systems and taking the initiative to apply it to daily work assignments.
• Attention to detail to ensure that all deliverables consistently meet the highest standard of quality and accuracy
• Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• As the needs of our clients change, we need to be flexible to change with them.
• Positivity and collegial approach in assisting both colleagues and clients and the ability to work in team environment.
• Curiosity, critical thinking and attention to detail: Whether it’s to identify a solution to a problem or possibly help implement a more efficient process or procedure, your skills have a place in our business.
• Someone who will embody our SEI Values of courage, integrity, collaboration, inclusion, connection and fun.

Please see our website for more information. https://www.seic.com/

SEI’s competitive advantage: To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including comprehensive care for your physical and mental well-being, a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, support for working parents and flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

• Benefits include healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription, wellness, EAP, FSA), life and disability insurance (premiums paid for base coverage), 401(k) match, education assistance, commuter benefits, up to 11 paid holidays/year, 21 days PTO/year pro-rated for new hires which increases over time, paid parental leave, back-up childcare arrangements, paid volunteer days, a discounted stock purchase plan, investment options, access to thriving employee networks and more.

We are a technology and asset management company delivering on our promise of building brave futures (SM)—for our clients, our communities, and ourselves. Come build your brave future at SEI.

The position title reflected in this job description is aligned with SEI's current internal job architecture. As part of SEI's role and career framework, internal job titles may not directly correspond to external market titles and may differ from titles previously assigned during an employee's tenure or at the time of hire.

SEI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and so much more… After over 50 years in business, SEI remains a leading global provider of investment processing, investment management, and investment operations solutions. Reflecting our experience within financial services and financial technology our offices encompass an open floor plan and numerous art installations designed to encourage innovation and creativity in our workforce. We recognize that our people are our most valuable asset and that a healthy, happy, and motivated workforce is key to our continued growth. At SEI, we’re (literally) invested in your success. We offer our employees paid parental leave, back-up childcare arrangements, paid volunteer days, education assistance and access to thriving employee networks. SEI is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

AI Acceptable Use in the application and interview process: SEI acknowledges the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into individuals’ personal and professional lives. If you intend to incorporate the use of any AI tools at any stage of the application and/or interview process, please ensure you have reviewed and adhere to our AI use guidelines. We are global provider of technology, operations, and asset management services for the financial services industry. We tailor our solutions to help clients make effective use of their capital—whether that’s money, time, or talent—so they can grow and better serve their clients. At SEI, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone has the same opportunities to grow, develop, and succeed.