Financial Accounting Analyst, Infrastructure Investment Advisor & Asset Manager

Global Infrastructure Themes:

• Energy
• Communications
• Transportation
• Social Infrastructure
• Environmental Services & Agricultural

Vision:

Strive to be a leader in sustainable investing to better protect and generate superior value for their members. Well-run organizations with sound ESG practices will perform better, particularly over the long term.

Mission:

Working and investing responsibly, ethically and thoughtfully for a brighter tomorrow.

Goal:

Grow the AuM by 40% in 5 years.

Team:

• European Team: 165 FTE’s
• Dutch Team: 8 FTE’s and growing (consisting of Financial Analysts, Finance Manager, Finance Director, Corporate Secretary, MD and an Independent Chairperson)

The Dutch office is a Service Office, the UK office does the deals with whom you cooperate;

• Ticket sizes: North of €500 Mio
• 25-30% of the total investments is allocated to Infrastructure

Background hiring manager:

Finance Manager for 6 years now. Prior to that, worked in Trust for 3 years as a Senior Financial Account Manager and at a big-Four for over 7 years in Assurance services (main focus on financial services, real estate and pension funds).

Reason of the vacancy:

Replacement (wasn’t able to meet deadlines and missed the can-do attitude).

Interview with the MD:

“It’s important to understand the business of (Infrastructure) investments and that it’s not a physical product, you are dealing with large tickets, but it is on paper and you have to enjoy that…

The complexity is the deal structuring, which determines the administrative process (the approach is from the transaction-perspective).

We don't use Exact, we have eFront, which is in the Cloud, state-of-the-art and more Project Accounting. It’s different for each project, whether you do the deal yourself or with co-investors.

It is a Consortium, i.e. we can do a deal with a Dutch pension fund.

Each deal is different and diverse, it used to be more Equity, now it’s more about getting new Partners and Agreements in.

It is complex, yet not complicated, but because we do deals with other Partners it makes it interesting.”

Culture:

The atmosphere: it has something to do with the Canadian mentality, very inclusive, respectful, able to cooperate well together, based on the Dutch and Canadian history (WW II).

We have many values in common, they are diverse, open, but work hard, continuously try to improve and pay attention to that.

You have to understand the Dutch culture to fit in, be flexible, diverse, accommodate, which are also their values.

The nice thing about Canadian, is they are not too direct, focused on the soft side, modest, but also as outgoing as the Americans.

As a representative, you are expected to be modest, both professionally and personally.

Further values: actually, you have to experience it yourself to understand it best…

Reporting line:

In this role you will report to the Finance Manager.

General responsibilities:

As a key member of the Investment Finance team located in the center of Amsterdam, you will assist the Finance Managers in the aspects of accounting and reporting, both internal and external, for a portfolio of Infrastructure assets. Primary responsibilities will include assisting in the month-end accounting procedures, annual budget process and preparation of financial statements.

Specific responsibilities:

• Assist Finance Managers in the preparation of financial information, including:
  • FX movements and working paper files with applicable underlying specifications (e.g. Balance sheet breakdowns, Interest calculation, Intercompany receivable/payable, Income and expense schedules)
  • Abbreviated non-consolidated statement of financial position, income statement and cashflow statement
  • Legal reserve analysis and cash projections as required for specific distribution approvals
  • Preparation, filing and liaising with tax advisors for VAT returns
  • Full consolidated (as applicable) and non-consolidated financial statements including notes and full disclosure as required
  • Co-ordinate and liaise with internal and external auditors
  • Provide information in accordance with audit deliverable list
  • Prepare audit schedules
  • Deliver requested audit backup support documents and liaise with auditor to complete audit
  • Prepare and distribute audit confirmation letters. Follow up with banks and lawyers if these have not been received by the auditors
  • Prepare information required in respect of annual compliance reporting from local authorities, the Dutch Central Bank etc.
  • Provide information to support annual corporate income tax return and coordinate with tax advisors
  • Preparation of annual budget and quarterly forecast
• Processing of invoices and other cash transactions (e.g. corporate actions like repayment of capital, dividend distributions, interest payments)
• Record transactions denominated in Euros and foreign currencies in accordance with applicable agreements and agreed accounting principles
• Assist with any other reasonable requests and deliverables as required

Background:

• 2 to 4 years of experience in a similar position; experience with fund administration preferred

Note: It is more about the attitude, also if you have great academics you may not have had the opportunity to work in Fund Admin

The transactions require a can-do mentality and proactiveness, over an Fund Admin background.

• BSc/MSc Accountancy; ambition and determination to pursue accounting qualification (RA, ACCA etc.)
• Have a flare for numbers, work well with people, anticipate impacts of workload/issues to team deadlines and have a positive work attitude, i.e. willing to work longer hours during peak periods
• Experience with eFront or equivalent, and BI is a plus
• Strong organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated to learn new concepts and participate in new projects
• Fund Administration / Trust-experience is a plus; since you know the setting and the business, as well as process improvements
• Languages: English and Dutch (at least B2 level). It is important you understand the Dutch culture, you don’t need to write emails in Dutch, the working language is English, but Dutch is spoken most often

Treasury:

• Perform treasury functions through online banking system
• Initiate wire transfers for all disbursements in online banking system in accordance with established payment process procedure
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations for all bank accounts

Internal controls:

•     Adhere to the established accounting policies and internal control procedures to ensure integrity of financial information and accounting process

• Above market-rate salary and very good secondary benefits.
• Challenging projects and the opportunity to help shape the Finance team à have real impact
• Room for personal development à RA is offered, doesn’t need to be NIVRA, as long as you are eager
• Important is to keep developing yourself, individually and in the interest of the company
• The Infrastructure portfolio is doing extremely well
• Promotion to Senior Analyst or a Manager level role. Transactions are increasing, it is about the quality of work and how you can learn from that à steep learning curve
• Further develop your Management and Project Management skills
• Entrepreneurship within an International (knowledge) environment, flexibility and personal development
• Ability to build real and long-lasting relationships
• Dutch boutique cooperating with Canada, UK and Australia; much international talent to learn from
• Ability to work in Toronto, Singapore, Syndney or London

Potential external career steps:

Work in Investment Finance or at another Investor, but with an ACCA you can join Capital Intensive companies, work in Investment Decisions. Move to the Private Sector, Pension Funds, Banking.

In short: the role is very broad, allowing you more options to choose from….

Salary:

Competitive salary: €55k - €65k + bonus + pension.

Contract:

Permanent contracts can be offered from the start.

Home Office Options:

Hybrid is possible, but they are more in the office than not, 3 days minimum.

Note: It is advisable/preferred to be more regular at the office in the beginning when you start, this to ensure a smooth landing.

Discrete call:

In case you are intrigued, or you wish to have a discrete call, please contact Boudewijn Vellinga via b.vellinga@gryphonsearch.com or under +31(0)20 303 7848 (landline) or +31(0)6 1224 3196 (mobile).

We’d rather have a dialogue to explain more, than for you to conclude it might not be a fit.