Fund Accounting Oversight Specialist

About Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Working at Columbia Threadneedle Investments you'll find growth and career opportunities across all of our businesses. We're intentionally built to help you succeed. Our reach is expansive with a global team of 2,300 people working together. Our capability is diverse with more than 550 investment professionals sharing global perspectives across all major asset classes and markets. Our clients have access to a broad array of investment strategies, and we have the capability to create bespoke solutions matched to clients' specific requirements. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our enterprise businesses – Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities.

Job Description

Where you'll fit in & what our team goals are:

You will provide oversight for the delivery of fund administration and other related operational services as supplied by the outsourced administrator. This will entail building and managing the relationship with the supplier daily; liaising with the supplier on the provision of the services to ensure the overall service to Columbia Threadneedle not only meets but exceeds requirements; resolving issues escalated to the Oversight Team from the supplier, Columbia Threadneedle business areas or our clients. In essence, Fund Accounting Oversight provides first line support for operational issues that arise where there are interfaces with the supplier's processes and support structure. The role will have a particular focus on Fund Administration and the NAV Oversight process and on the supplier which provides these services. However, there is an expectation that the role will encompass aiding the Head of Fund Accounting Oversight with the daily management of the team and daily deliverables.

How you'll spend your time:

• Utilise oversight tools to monitor and promote successful supplier performance by ensuring agreed SLA and contractual deliverables are achieved, monitoring KPI's and taking appropriate action where trigger points are crossed.
• Completion of periodic onsite process reviews, identifying risks and opportunities for continuous improvements, proposing and owning delivery of enhancements by the supplier as required.
• Monitor supplier reports and MI deliverables, ensuring accurate completion of all assigned tasks.
• Address and resolve day to day issues as raised by the Columbia Threadneedle business and suppliers, effectively escalating issues that cannot be resolved.
• Take responsibility for complex issue resolution ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and communication with the business.
• Liaise with Columbia Threadneedle control functions (Compliance / Risk / Audit / Legal) on individual issue events or general supplier performance issues as required.
• Develop an open and effective relationship with key Columbia Threadneedle functions including the Front Office, Middle Office, Distribution and TA Oversight.
• Assist Head of Fund Accounting Oversight with the production of internal and external governance papers including Committees and Company Board Papers.
• Provide support to the Change process in the role of SME for Fund Accounting as a whole.
• Ensure all Fund Accounting processes are fully documented and regularly review for potential enhancements and drive these forwards.
• Work on technical or remediation activity requiring management of senior stakeholders.
• Act as a sounding board for junior staff members and provide guidance where appropriate.

The role may require you to focus on specific areas of responsibilities, and these areas of focus may change from time to time.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Security pricing and NAV pricing experience.
• Substantial knowledge of Fund Accounting operations including SICAV's, ICAV's, OEIC's and multiple asset types.
• Delivery focussed with attention to detail, being able to deliver excellence in a deadline driven environment.
• Flexible with the ability to work on a range of items simultaneously and proactively manage and prioritise a significant and often changing workload.
• An excellent communicator who can effectively express ideas and requirements both orally and in writing, both formally and informally.
• An excellent team player with the ability to form strong cross-functional working relationships both within Columbia Threadneedle and the Supplier.
• Quick learner with the ability to pick up new processes and instruments.
• Analytical approach to problem solving and ability to identify risk areas.

If you also had this, it would be great:

• Prior experience of working within an outsourced environment as part of a client or supplier organisation.

In-Office Collaboration

We are a client-centric, relationship-based business. Working together, in-person, is foundational to how we achieve results. By fostering a culture of face-to-face collaboration, idea sharing, productivity and personal connection, we deliver for our stakeholders – clients, advisors, employees and shareholders. Our employees work in the office at least four (4) days per week, with flexibility to work from home one (1) day per week. Some roles may require additional in-office time or different in-office expectations, and specific requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full time

Worker Sub Type: Permanent

Job Family Group: Mutual Fund Operations

Columbia Threadneedle is a people business, and we recognise that our success is due to our talented people, who bring diversity of thought, complementary skills and capabilities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and performance-based culture where everyone can belong, grow, contribute and realise their potential. We appreciate that work-life balance is an important factor for many when considering their next move so please discuss any flexible working requirements directly with your recruiter.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to racial or ethnic background, religion or belief, sex or gender, nationality, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, pregnancy or maternity or any other basis prohibited by law. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to aid your participation in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.