Associate - Fund Accounting - Digital

As an Associate, you will play a pivotal role in the success of the Catalyst Digital Fund Services team. Your primary focus will be on supporting the establishment and development of our Digital Fund Product Offering, ensuring it is mature, viable, and aligned with market needs. You will collaborate closely with the Manager of Client Services and other team members to deliver exceptional service to our clients and contribute to innovative product development.

From a high-level perspective, the core responsibilities that form your role are broken down into the following 6 categories:

1.      Product Development and Support

2.     Day-to-Day Operations

3.     Client Onboarding and Relationship Management

4.     Market Awareness and Product Review

5.     Continuous Improvement

6.     Risk and Compliance Responsibilities

Your Daily Tasks

The following are the tasks linked to the Core Responsibilities that will be expected as part of this role:  

1.      Product Development and Support:

Includes (but not limited to) the following tasks:

• Collaborative Contribution: Support the development of Catalyst Digital Fund offerings, ensuring they align with market needs and internal business capabilities. Participate in brainstorming sessions and contribute to product ideation by providing insights based on operational and client-facing experience.


•  Product Build-Out: Work alongside the Product Team and Manager – Client Services to help guide the development of new products and features. Provide feedback from both operational and client perspectives to enhance usability, functionality, and competitiveness in the market.


• Product Testing & Implementation: Participate in product testing and refinement. Ensure new products are seamlessly integrated into the existing digital fund operations, providing feedback on any required adjustments.

2.    Day-to-Day Operations:

Includes (but are not limited to) the following tasks:

• Operational Support: Assist in the smooth execution of digital fund operations, ensuring client deliverables are met on time and with the highest quality. Act as a key point of contact for internal teams, helping to facilitate the timely completion of client deliverables and resolving any operational issues that arise.


• Deliverable Management: Oversee the completion of all client deliverables associated with Catalyst Digital Fund Services, including daily, weekly, and monthly reporting. Ensure deadlines are met, and reports are accurate and aligned with client expectations.


• Issue Identification and Escalation: Actively monitor daily operations for recurring issues or inefficiencies. Escalate these issues to senior management and collaborate on solutions to resolve them effectively.


• Process Adherence: Ensure compliance with internal procedures and controls, maintaining an up-to-date understanding of all operational tasks related to digital fund services. Document and follow operational processes to meet SLAs and regulatory requirements.


• Internal Collaboration: Maintain strong working relationships with cross-functional teams, including operations, IT, compliance, and client services, to ensure smooth operations and effective communication.

3.    Client Onboarding and Relationship Management:

Includes (but are not limited to) the following tasks:

• Onboarding of Digital Funds: Lead the onboarding process for digital fund structures, including reviewing fund documents, negotiating Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and establishing fund-specific procedures.


• Client Acquisition and Retention: Assist the sales and relationship management teams in acquiring new clients and retaining existing clients by providing excellent service throughout the onboarding process and beyond.


• Relationship Development: Build and nurture strong relationships with clients, internal teams, and other stakeholders. Ensure clients’ expectations are managed and exceeded by maintaining open and proactive communication.


• Client Support: Address client inquiries, providing expert advice on digital fund services and products. Ensure client satisfaction by resolving issues in a timely and efficient manner.

4.    Market Awareness and Product Review

Includes (but are not limited to) the following tasks:

• Monitor Industry Trends: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends in digital assets, blockchain, and fund administration technologies. Assess these trends for potential impacts on the business and identify opportunities for product improvements or new offerings.


• Product Review & Enhancements: Conduct reviews of current digital fund products to identify areas for enhancement. Provide detailed recommendations to ensure that products remain competitive, innovative, and in line with industry standards.


• Client Feedback Loop: Gather client feedback on digital fund services and use this data to drive improvements. Work with the product team to implement feedback into the ongoing development process.

5.    Continuous Improvement

Includes (but are not limited to) the following tasks:

• Ad-Hoc Support: Provide operational support for ad-hoc client requests, ensuring that solutions are provided in a timely and efficient manner. Collaborate with internal teams to ensure that requests are fulfilled according to client specifications.


• Process Development: Work with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for process optimization. Help create and implement new processes and procedures that enhance operational efficiency, improve service delivery, and meet client expectations.


• Innovation and Strategy: Contribute to the development of strategies that ensure the continued success and growth of the digital fund services business. Support the team in identifying and implementing innovative solutions to improve service quality and operational effectiveness.

6.    Risk and Compliance Responsibilities:

Includes (but not limited to) the following tasks:

• Compliance Monitoring: Perform routine compliance checks to ensure digital fund operations adhere to internal controls, industry regulations, and client requirements. Maintain organized records and documentation for audits and regulatory reporting purposes.


• Assist in Regulatory Research: Support the compliance team by assisting with research on regulatory changes impacting digital fund services, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and AEOI (Automatic Exchange of Information) requirements.


• Client Onboarding Compliance: Assist with the onboarding process for new investors, ensuring that all compliance documentation is collected and properly cleared in accordance with regulatory guidelines.


• Audit Support: Participate in internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and addressing any audit findings related to digital fund services.


• Documentation: Maintain accurate records of compliance activities and assessments.


• Compliance Tasks: Perform routine compliance checks and adhere to company risk and compliance processes and policies.


• Record Keeping: Maintain organized records of compliance documents and reports.


• Documentation Support: Assist in maintaining compliance documentation and records.


•  Monitoring Tasks: Help monitor compliance tasks and assist with quality control processes.


• Compliance Culture - Working in tandem with compliance colleagues to support a culture that is centered around good governance and compliance.

Additional Strategic Expectations

·       Share insights to enable development of new processes and procedures that will create business efficiency and support delivery of client excellence in service.

·       Maintain awareness of industry, regulatory, jurisdictional, and other trends that could affect the business.

·       Contribute to the creation, development and implementation of new products and solutions to accommodate the businesses continuous changing needs.

·       Collaborate cross-functionally with operations staff, business users, project, and implementation managers to achieve desired and elegant solutions.

Required Skills & Experience

Are you getting excited? We are! Before we get too carried away, there are a few requirements you’ll need to check off before you can apply for the position:

• A Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.


• At least 3 years of experience in fund administration, digital assets, or financial services, with a solid understanding of digital fund services, portfolio management, and client relationship management.


• Proven ability to engage with clients, provide excellent service, and manage client expectations.


• Familiarity with digital fund platforms, portfolio management software, and financial systems. Understanding of emerging technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrency is a plus.
  Knowledge of fund administration processes, including reconciliation, NAV production, and reporting. Strong problem-solving and process optimization skills.
  Understanding of regulatory frameworks impacting fund administration and digital services, including AML, KYC, and AEOI.
  Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate complex topics in a clear and concise manner.
  Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), with a focus on advanced Excel functions (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros). Knowledge of SQL or other data analysis tools is advantageous.
  Relevant certifications (e.g., CFA, FRM, or similar) are a plus.
  Experience with Blockchain: Familiarity with blockchain technology and its applications in fund administration.
  Experience working with data management platforms, including Bloomberg, Reuters, or similar data sources.
  Experience managing projects or leading initiatives, especially related to new product rollouts or process improvements.