Asset Management – Head of Accounts Investment Trusts – VP (Based in London) recruitment

Head of AccountsInvestment Trusts, JPMorgan Asset Management
JPMorgan Asset Management (JPMAM) is the market leader in investment trust management. The investment trust department of JPMAM is a growing business, responsible for managing the affairs of 21 investment trust plcs (all of which are listed on the London Stock Exchange) and one US (New York Stock Exchange) listed 40 Act closed end fund.
JPMAM is the corporate secretary to these investment trusts.The role is challenging and requires strong leadership, financial accounting skills and knowledge with excellent communication, planning and organisational skills to enable the team to deliver a consistent first class client service within a demanding environment.
The candidate must be able to work well with other members of the team, the wider department and external vendors to deliver a high quality service across all clients.
The core objective of the position is to be responsible for the accurate and timely production of the interim and annual financial statements.
This requires knowledge of relevant accounting standards and also consideration to the impact of future changes in these standards and other regulations.
The role also includes supervision and oversight of a team of 1.
Financial StatementsThis is the main function of the role and the department has outsourced some of the production process therefore it involves the co-ordination of both internal and external resources/suppliers.
This role is responsible for the formulation of best practice, obtaining support from key partners, including external auditors, and ensuring that the department is well briefed and well placed to meet the demands of any changes in regulation.
It also co-ordinates the actions/duties of the team to ensure that best practice is followed through to all of the client trusts that JPMAM manage, whilst acknowledging their clear differences and additional service requirements.

The responsibilities for this role include:Coordination of the JPMAM investment trust accounting team.
Also provide strategic direction and thought to guide the team to meet the relevant challenges.Close liaison/interaction with the various internal teams within the investment trust department (Company secretarial, Product development, other senior client facing teams) to ensure a first class service is delivered and maintained.Communicating with internal and external stakeholders as appropriateProviding comprehensive accounting support and guidance to the JPMAM team and the investment trusts.
This includes the analysis of the impact of proposed changes in accounting standards, regulation and lawEnsuring that the financial statements complies with all relevant accounting standards (including IFRS where applicable), tax and other disclosure requirementsClose liaison with external auditors and the internal Company Secretaries to ensure a timely and uniform response/approach to accounting standards and disclosure requirements.Attendance at Investment Trust Boards, Audit Committees and Annual General Meetings where required.Provision of accurate revenue estimates, including the analysis of the impact of any change in policy or asset allocation by the investment trust.
Also responsible for the calculation of performance fee schedulesRequired to liaise closely with the Product Development team to ensure a smooth launch/corporate action process and also with other senior client facing personnel to ensure that JPMAM builds on its market leading position.

Qualifications
Essential qualifications and skills:Degree or similar standard of higher educationRelevant accounting qualificationAbility to drive group policy on best practice for investment trust accountingStrong understanding of regulatory (including accounting standards) changeCommercial mind-set with the ability to see the 'bigger picture' and think beyond the core responsibilities of a financial accountantIdentification of strategic issuesConsistently striving for improvements in process and working practicesAbility to benchmark against other parties - both internal and externalSelf motivated as well as a strong team player with a keen sense of ownership and desire for continuous improvementDetailed working knowledge of accountancy as it relates to investment trusts.
Some experience of administration of offshore companies and/or non-equity products would be beneficialStrong written and verbal skills and effective communicator with maturity and gravitas to deal effectively at senior level.
Good empathy with clients and colleagues.Able to proactively work under own initiative, prioritise,
handle time pressure and manage multiple projects at the same time with flexibility to adapt to shifting expectationsNumerate with excellent attention to detail and accuracyWell organised, confident and have excellent planning skillsPC skills - ability to use a spreadsheet packages, proficient and fast at learning and adapting to new technology and softwareClients - able to service to a high standard and help towards resolving often complex issues
Working hours fluctuate and can involve extra hours at peak periods.

JPMorgan offers an excellent benefits program and a highly competitive compensation package.JPMorgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.