Senior Fund Accountant (Mat Leave Cover)

We are looking for an experienced Senior Fund Accountant to join us on a 15-month Fixed Term Contract to assist the team during a period of maternity leave.

Role Profile
The Senior Fund Accountant is responsible for providing high-quality financial accounting, reporting and control across Blackfinch’s Property and Leisure investment activities.

Reporting to the Senior Financial Controller, the role will take ownership of day-to-day fund and investment accounting, ensuring financial information is accurate, timely and well controlled. The successful candidate will work closely with the Property and Leisure investment teams, Finance colleagues, external administrators, auditors and other professional advisers.

As a maternity cover position, the role requires an experienced accountant who can quickly build an understanding of the portfolios, take ownership of established processes and provide continuity and reliable financial support throughout the contract period.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all property and leisure companies accounting related matters including book keeping for all companies in the portfolio, preparing financial statements, management reporting, variance analysis, cash management, and cash flow reporting.
• Be accountable for all aspects of invoice processing, accounting, payments, journal posting, audit and credit control for the portfolio.
• Be responsible for the preparation of the monthly management accounts within month end deadlines, and preparation of quarterly management information packs, highlighting key trends and issues to senior management.
• Maintain robust and effective processes and controls in the finance function to safeguard investor’s assets, including preparation of monthly loan reconciliations and all balance sheet reconciliations.
• Ensure payment schedules align to cash flow requirements and manage intercompany cash flows accordingly.
• Maintain loan schedules for all property loans, and provide reporting to commercial teams as requested.
• Manage loan valuation adjustments and related bad debt provisioning based on risk and impairment assessment of loan book.
• Understand the Group’s investment portfolios and work with the property investment team to report all investments. Liaising with group finance teams to prepare fee schedules and movement of investments.
• Liaise with external auditors, tax professionals (including VAT, CIS, CT), and external accounting providers to assist in the production of annual statutory accounts.

Skills & Experience

• Must be hands on and prepared to undertake all accounting duties where necessary due to the nature of the opportunistic businesses and the small team that manages the functions.
• Experience of preparing and submitting VAT returns
• Experience of working in a multi-company group structure.
• Working knowledge of Sage accounting software.
• Proficient in Excel and use of formulas.
• Proficient in other MS Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Excellent communication, written and interpersonal skills.
• Good attention to detail, good organisational and time management skills.

Essential Qualifications or Requirements

• Qualified Accountant ideally with a technically strong background and at least 3 years post practice in a commercial environment.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.

Blackfinch is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences. A copy of our Equal Opportunities Policy is available upon request.

Blackfinch Group is an award-winning investment specialist. Built on over 20 years of investment track record, the name Blackfinch first came into being on the anniversary of Darwin’s birth, 12th February 2013. A trusted provider, we work in partnership with advisers. Our businesses cover tax-efficient solutions, early stage investing, managed portfolio services, property financing and renewable energy. We’re proud to be entrusted with over £1bn in assets under management.