Fund Accounting Team Leader - Private Equity & Real Estate

Apex Group; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 750 000 - 950 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in Cape Town seeks a Fund Accounting Team Leader to oversee the accounting requirements for Private Equity clients. The role involves managing a small team, ensuring timely delivery of financial statements, and maintaining client relationships. Candidates should have strong knowledge of Private Equity Fund structures, fund valuations, and demonstrate excellent leadership skills. This position offers a full-time contract with a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Professional, enthusiastic approach with clients and intermediaries.
• Leads by example.
• Takes accountability for actions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting requirements of clients according to service level agreements.
• Manage a small team and supervise delivery of valuations and financial statements.
• Conduct client service review calls for allocated portfolio.

Skills

Understanding of various Private Equity Fund structures

Knowledge of fund valuations and accounting practices

Knowledge of back-office systems

Experience managing a team

Ability to work in a pressurised environment

Clear communication with staff and senior management

Collaborative within team and other departments

Tools

Investran

eFront

Paxus

Job description

Position Overview

Fund Accounting Team Leader – Private Equity & Real Estate.

Location: Cape Town, Apex House. Time type: Full time. Posted Today. Job requisition id: JR-.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage accounting requirements of Private Equity (SA) clients in line with service level agreements.
• Manage a small team of accountants, client service management and support the onboarding team.
• Account Management responsibilities:
  • Act as accounting specialist within the Private Equity (SA) business.
  • Supervise and control timely and accurate delivery of net asset valuations, consolidated partner capital accounts, quarterly statements, financial statements and supporting schedules.
  • Manage preparation of performance fee, internal Rate of Return (IRR) and equalisation calculations as required by fund documents.
• Staff & Training:
  • Develop and train direct reports.
  • Set KPIs, manage formal and informal performance.
  • Train, manage and supervise team members.
• Team Management:
  • Oversee preparation and delivery of accounting services as per fund documentation and SLAs.
  • Review deliverables and ensure timely staffing.
• Client Management:
  • Conduct quarterly client service review calls for allocated portfolio.
  • Manage client responsibilities to meet deadlines and best practices.
• Client Onboarding:
  • Provide feedback to onboarding team and management regarding operational requirements versus system capabilities.
  • Contribute to SLA timeframes and requirements.
• Processes & System Updates:
  • Assist with ongoing development of Private Equity IT platform and maintenance of reporting templates.
  • Ensure compliance with Closed Ended (SA) processes and identify efficiencies.
• Regulatory: Assist with regulatory and reporting requirements as they arise.
• Other Tasks:
  • Act as authorised signatory on client bank accounts and review payments.
  • Build relationships with internal teams to ensure seamless service delivery.
  • Perform any additional tasks to support division development.

Skills & Qualifications

• Understanding of various Private Equity Fund structures and administration/accounting of these structures.
• Knowledge of fund valuations and accounting practices and standards, particularly IFRS and ILPA.
• Knowledge of back‑office systems.
• Knowledge of Investran, eFront and Paxus beneficial.
• Ability to work in a pressurised environment.
• Familiar with fund services controls and procedures to ensure compliance and minimise risk.
• Experience managing a team.
• Ability to challenge daily operations and drive improvements.
• Professional, enthusiastic approach with clients and intermediaries.
• Management capability with practical hands‑on approach and ability to get things done.
• Leads by example.
• Clear communication with staff and senior management.
• Collaborative within Closed Ended (SA) team and other departments in Apex.

Personal Characteristics

• Real "can‑do" attitude that thrives in an environment of opportunity, confidence and hunger for growth.
• Sets and achieves high levels of performance, continually striving for personal improvement.
• Challenges decisions and frameworks but accepts higher authority decisions.
• Takes accountability for actions.

Reporting Structure

The Accounting Leader (Private Equity SA) reports to the Managers of the Private Equity Team.

Disclaimer

Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and, where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.

About Apex Group

We are dedicated to driving positive change in financial services while fuelling the growth and ambitions of asset managers, allocators, financial institutions and family offices.

Established in Bermuda in ______, the Group has continually disrupted the asset‑serving industry through our investment in innovation and talent.

Today, we set the pace in asset servicing and stand out for our unique single‑source solution and unified cross‑asset‑class platform supporting the entire value chain, harnessing leading innovative technology and cross‑jurisdictional expertise delivered by a long‑standing management team and over 13 highly integrated professionals.

We’re a people‑powered business and our people are full of ambition. Together, we’re inspired to lead the new era of data and tech‑enabled service.

Bringing new products and services to market, sharpening our client focus, disrupting the market to exceed expectations, innovating across a range of specialisms. With our focus on making a difference to our people, our planet and our society, you will experience more here than you would at most other companies.