About this role
About BlackRock
Elevate your career by joining the world's largest asset manager! Thrive in an environment that promotes positive relationships and recognizes outstanding performance! We know you want to feel valued every single day and be recognized for your contribution. At BlackRock, we strive to empower our employees and effectively engage your involvement in our success. With over USD $10 trillion of assets we have an outstanding responsibility: our technology and services empower millions of investors to save for retirement, pay for college, buy a home and improve their financial well-being.
Team Overview
We are looking to add an Associate to our Alternatives Fund Controllers team in London. The role will oversee the accounting, reporting and administration covering our Real Estate Value Add Funds. The team interacts with 3rd party service providers and internal groups such as portfolio management, operations, legal and compliance and product tax.
The position offers significant growth opportunities both organically as the firm expands our product offerings, specifically in the closed end space, as well as opportunities to be involved in ongoing platform wide projects.
Role Responsibilities
Transactions
- Evaluate agreements with property managers and operating partners, as well as financing arrangements.
- Review completion statements and their mechanisms (e.g. complex share deals).
- Conduct in-depth discussions with external administrators, operating partners, and various team members on any transaction activity.
- Assess accounting memos and proformas from the external administrator and operating partners, which require ongoing dialogues with stakeholders and potentially the fund auditors.
- Comprehend and document deal trigger events throughout the investment lifecycle, including local and fund-level reporting requirements.
- Understand and document local financial matters (e.g., tax, accounting, audits), and outline Carry or promote implications during the investments' lifecycle.
- Engage with auditors when necessary to address and resolve sophisticated or subjective issues.
Reporting
- Examine NAV accounting packages prepared by external administrators for accuracy and thoroughness as part of the routine NAV close process for the funds. Ensure timely compliance with deadlines for periodic fund NAV, investor reporting, regulatory reporting, and financial reporting deliverables.
- Regularly conduct risk assessments and actively initiate enhancements in internal controls, technology, and procedures both internally and at third-party service providers.
- Collaborate with auditors and supervise external accounting providers, offering guidance as needed. Work with administrators to ensure accurate accounting records are maintained at both the Propco and Holdco levels.
- Assess monthly accounting reports from property managers, conduct variance analyses, monitor cash flows, coordinate bank account management, and ensure outsourced service providers process invoices while upholding a robust control environment.
- Foster positive relationships with internal Real Estate teams, particularly Asset Management and Transaction Support. Regularly provide internal reporting to collaborative teams (e.g., fund metrics, AUM, fee revenue, investor data).
- Lead and engage in group projects and initiatives. Address ad hoc requests from external investors and other groups.
Experience
- 5+ years proven experienced qualified professional. (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA equivalent)
- Knowledge and experience working in Real Estate closed ended funds.
- Knowledge of regulations such as Corporation Tax, VAT, CIS, other relevant European legislation a bonus. Familiarity of IFRS and local GAAP.
- Use of YARDI or other real estate accounting packages. Proficient use of MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
- Strong leadership and management skills and ability to collaborate across many teams
- Positive attitude with strong problem solving, multi-tasking and project management skills
Our benefits
To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.
Our hybrid work model
BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.
About BlackRock
At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being. Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.
This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.
For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock
BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.
