Recently Qualified Fund Controller - Real Estate Investment Fund

Mayfair, London | 12-Month Contract | Immediate Start

A highly successful and established Real Estate Investment Fund is looking to appoint an exceptional 1-3 years post Qualified Fund Controller on an initial 12-month contract.

This is an excellent opportunity for a recently qualified ACA making their first move out of a Big Four audit firm into a principal-side investment management role. The position offers direct exposure to a portfolio of Luxembourg-domiciled closed-ended real estate funds, senior investment professionals and the underlying commercial drivers of fund performance.

The initial requirement is for 12 months, although there is potential for the opportunity to develop into something longer term depending on business requirements and individual performance.

The firm is specifically looking for someone who combines strong technical accounting fundamentals with intellectual curiosity, commercial judgement and an interest in using modern technology, AI and automation to improve how finance operates.

The Role

Working within the fund finance team, you will take responsibility for the financial control and oversight of a portfolio of Luxembourg domiciled closed-ended real estate funds and their underlying investment structures.

You will work closely with Investment, Asset Management, third-party administrators, auditors, tax advisers and other external service providers.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial control and oversight of Luxembourg-domiciled closed-ended real estate funds and associated SPVs.
• Review of fund accounting, NAVs, reporting packs and reconciliations prepared by third-party administrators.
• Preparation and review of annual and interim financial statements.
• Management of the annual audit process.
• Review of capital calls, investor distributions and fund-level allocations.
• Monitoring of cash, liquidity, cash-flow forecasts, fund expenses and management fees.
• Support of valuation processes and fund performance reporting.
• Production of financial analysis and commercial insight for senior finance and investment stakeholders.
• Support of investor reporting and ad hoc investor requests.
• Liaison with Luxembourg administrators, AIFMs, depositaries, tax advisers and auditors.
• Support of fund governance, board reporting and ongoing fund administration.
• Involvement in acquisitions, disposals, restructurings and new fund activity where required.
• Identification of opportunities to improve financial controls, reporting and process efficiency.

Candidate Profile

Essential:

• 1-3 years pose qualified within PwC, Deloitte, EY or KPMG.
• Direct audit experience covering real estate investment funds, real estate private equity or institutional real estate investment structures.
• Strong technical accounting, financial reporting and audit experience.
• Commercially minded, analytical and intellectually curious.
• Confident communicating with senior finance and investment professionals.
• Able to interpret financial information and communicate meaningful commercial insight.
• Immediately available or able to start at very short notice.

Experience of Luxembourg fund structures would be advantageous but is not essential.

AI, Technology & Commercial Insight

The firm is particularly interested in someone who is comfortable using modern finance technology and AI-enhanced tools.

You should be interested in using tools such as Claude. Copilot, ChatGPT and other AI enabled applications to improve analysis, reporting, automation and workflow efficiency, while applying appropriate financial controls and professional judgement.

The successful candidate will be expected to look beyond the numbers, identify trends and anomalies, and communicate clear commercial insight to the wider business.

The Opportunity

This is a strong first move from Big Four audit into a principal-side real estate investment environment, offering direct exposure to funds, investments and senior stakeholders.

The role is initially for 12 months, with potential for a longer-term opportunity for the right individual.

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