Employer: DWS Group

Title: Fund Controller / Fund Accounting Specialist (Real Estate)

Location: London

About DWS:

Today, markets face a whole new set of pressures – but also a whole lot of opportunity too. Opportunity to innovate differently. Opportunity to invest responsibly. And opportunity to make change.

Join us at DWS, and you can be part of an industry-leading firm with a global presence. You can lead ambitious opportunities and shape the future of investing. You can support our clients, local communities, and the environment.

We’re looking for creative thinkers and innovators to join us as the world continues to transform. As whole markets change, one thing remains clear; our people always work together to capture the opportunities of tomorrow. That’s why we are ‘Investors for a new now’.

As investors on behalf of our clients, it is our role to find investment solutions. Ensuring the best possible foundation for our clients’ financial future. And in return, we’ll give you the support and platform to develop new skills, make an impact and work alongside some of the industry’s greatest thought leaders. This is your chance to achieve your goals and lead an extraordinary career.

This is your chance to invest in your future.

Team / division overview

DWS's Real Estate business ("DWS Real Estate") has been investing in real estate assets for more than 50 years. As part of the Alternatives platform, the business today has c.450 employees located in 24 locations around the world. It offers a diverse range of strategies and solutions across the risk/return and geographic spectrums, including core and value-added real estate, real estate securities, real estate debt and opportunistic real estate.

The real estate investment business employs a disciplined investment approach and aims to deliver superior long-term risk adjusted returns, preservation of capital and diversification to its investors, which include governments, corporations, insurance companies, endowments, and retirement plans worldwide.

Role Details:

As a Fund Accountant Specialist you will (be):

• Supporting all operational aspects of the Product Management team and will work closely with the Fund

• Accounting Managers, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Portfolio Managers;

• Performing a detailed review of quarterly reporting packages

• Running the annual audit process

• Reviewing tax returns and filings for all investment jurisdiction

• Overseeing all governance requirements for Fund, Holdco and SPV entities

• Preparing the quarterly board packs

• Liaising with transaction and portfolio management teams to successfully onboard new investments, including fund flows, entity set-up and internal financing

• Cash flow management and forecasting

• Capital call and distribution calculations

• Managing the TA process

• Managing the payment processes with adherence to the organisation’s Payment Gold Standards

• Preparing management fee calculations

• Working with the Head of Treasury, CFO and Portfolio Manager to ensuring hedging facilities are executed and maintained correctly

• Assisting in UK, US and Global regulatory reporting as well as Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and Common Reporting Standard (CRS) reporting

• Addressing internal and external stakeholder queries promptly and efficiently

We are looking for:

• Solid Real Estate Fund experience and / or Luxembourg fund finance and operations experience with exposure to multi-jurisdictional funds and SPVs

• In depth knowledge of consolidation and NAV calculation for Real Estate Funds and private equity style funds

• Knowledge and experience of real estate related reporting topics (e.g. tenant incentive calculations, latent capital gains, development financing) advantageous

• Knowledge of applicable regulation and associated reporting (AIFMD Annexe IV, Solvency II etc.)

• Experience of preparing materials for Valuation Committees and structure boards

• Experience and knowledge of fund structuring and concepts

• INREV experience preferred

• Educated to degree level

• Fully qualified accountant

• Ability to learn and solve problems independently

• A strong can do’ attitude, willingness to take responsibility and desire to continuously improve and develop

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills

What we’ll offer you:

At DWS we’re serious about diversity, equity and creating an inclusive culture where colleagues can be themselves sand it’s important to us that you enjoy coming to work - feeling healthy, happy and rewarded. At DWS, you’ll have access to a range of benefits which you can choose from to create a personalised plan unique to your lifestyle. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, company perks, or are thinking about your retirement plan, there’s something for everyone.

Some of our core benefits:

• 30 days’ holiday + bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional days

• A non-contributory pension scheme, up to 10%

• Physical and Mental Health Well-Being benefits including (but not limited to) Private Medical Cover, a complimentary GP service and the support of Mental Health First Aiders

• Family friendly benefits including generous parental leave packages (supporting all variations of family set-ups), to healthcare plans and travel insurance

• The opportunity to support our CSR strategy which is focused on combatting climate change and achieving greater social justice. You can make donations to our partner organisations or take part in corporate volunteering opportunities in your local communities by providing on hand support.

DWS’ Hybrid Working model in the UK is designed to find the right balance between in-person collaboration and engagement in the office, which is core to our working culture, and working from home. Employees who wish to sign-up to our Hybrid Working model are required to work in the office two days a week, and given the flexibility to work from home for the remaining three.

Some business groups may need you to spend more time in the office, but this will be discussed and made clear as part of your application and interview process. We will continue to review and evolve our working environments and methods to ensure that we are working in the best way possible for our people.

If you require any adjustments or changes to be made to the interview process for any reason including, or related to a disability or long-term health condition, then please contact your recruiter and let them know what assistance you may need. Examples of adjustments include providing a change to the format of the interview, or providing assistance when at the DWS office. This will not affect your application and your recruitment team will discuss options with you.