Senior Associate, F&A
About The Position
Ares Management is seeking a Senior Associate to join the Registered Secondaries Accounting team. The role leads day-to-day accounting, financial reporting, net asset value (NAV) processes, and the operational control environment for registered investment companies investing in private equity secondaries and related structures. The Senior Associate reviews fund administrator deliverables, coordinates with internal functions and external service providers, and helps strengthen processes as the registered products platform grows. The role also serves as a primary day-to-day contact for the fund administrator, coordinates with auditors and internal teams to meet reporting and audit deadlines, and assists with the oversight and development of junior team members. It identifies and leads process improvements and technology implementation initiatives, including automation and control enhancements, and contributes to special projects as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
- 4–7 years of experience in fund accounting, investment accounting, private equity accounting, registered funds, or public accounting.
- Strong understanding of accounting principles, investment activity, and financial reporting controls.
- Demonstrated ability to review complex work, identify issues, and drive items to resolution.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external service providers.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to summarize complex matters clearly.
- Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, an ownership mindset, and commitment to high-quality financial reporting.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with private equity or other alternative investment products.
- Working knowledge of US GAAP investment company accounting and experience with registered fund financial or regulatory reporting.
- Public accounting experience and/or progress toward a CPA.
- Experience with Advent Geneva, eFront, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, OneStream, or similar systems.
- Experience with Power BI, Alteryx, or other automation and business-intelligence tools.
Responsibilities
- Lead the monthly NAV process, including reviewing fund administrator packages, cash and position reconciliations, income and expense activity, and resolving identified breaks.
- Coordinate monthly and quarterly closes and prepare or review journal entries, account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and close workpapers.
- Review accounting for secondary investments and related structures, including capital calls, distributions, fees, investment activity, and information from underlying fund managers.
- Oversee daily cash activities, invoice coding, and payment processing, and coordinate resolution of cash and position differences with operations and other teams.
- Review underlying fund financial statements, capital account statements, and transaction notices, assessing completeness and accuracy of recorded investment activity.
- Review fund general ledgers, trial balances, administrator records, and custody records, and drive timely resolution of reconciliation items.
- Prepare and review registered fund regulatory reporting, including applicable Forms N-PORT, N-2, N-CSR, and N-CSRS, and support other SEC and compliance reporting requirements.
- Review fund operating expense budgets, accruals, and variance analyses, and coordinate updates with relevant stakeholders.
- Prepare and review recurring and ad hoc reporting for portfolio management, investor relations, legal, compliance, tax, and other internal stakeholders.
- Serve as a primary day-to-day contact for the fund administrator and coordinate with auditors and internal teams to meet reporting and audit deadlines.
- Assist with oversight and development of junior team members through review, coaching, and knowledge sharing.
- Identify and lead process improvements and technology implementation initiatives, including automation and control enhancements, and lead or contribute to special projects.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical/Rx, dental, and vision plans.
- 401(k) program with company match.
- Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA).
- Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contribution.
- Basic and voluntary life insurance.
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Commuter benefits for parking and transit.
- Access to a medical advisory team.
- Mental health app with coaching, therapy, and psychiatry.
- Mindfulness and wellbeing app.
- Financial wellness benefit with access to a financial advisor.
- New parent leave.
- Reproductive and adoption assistance.
- Emergency backup care.
- Matching gift program.
- Education sponsorship program.
- Discretionary performance-based bonus may be included in total compensation.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
