Client Accounting Associate

Location: Edinburgh

Job Title

Department

Accounting Operations-BG-UK

Overview of Department

The Fund and Accounting Operations Department is responsible for the provision of accounting services to Baillie Gifford’s range of pooled funds, shareholders and segregated clients. Key responsibilities include the production of unit prices/NAVs for our UK OEICs and Investment Trusts and the maintenance of an accounting book of record for our global fund ranges and segregated clients.

Our Accounting Products teams are an integral part of the Department, providing technical, operational and governance support for the firm’s accounting systems and leading change initiatives to ensure the service we provide is first class for our clients and internal stakeholders.

Purpose of Role

Accounting Operations is responsible for delivering high-quality client accounting and operational services, including reconciliation and validation, data provisioning and custodian management.

This role will have a particular focus on the completion, investigation and resolution of reconciliations and is therefore suited to someone with relevant operational experience or strong transferable analytical and problem-solving skills, and a willingness to develop their knowledge of client accounting processes.

The successful candidate will also play an active role in driving continuous improvement and automation of our operational processes, using AI and other technologies to improve efficiency, strengthen controls and reduce manual activity.

Responsibilities

• Complete daily reconciliation and validation processes, including stock, cash and accounting reconciliations, taking ownership of the timely investigation, understanding and resolution of exceptions.
• Complete other operational reconciliations, including market opening, valuation comparison and withholding tax reconciliations, ensuring exceptions are appropriately investigated, documented and resolved.
• Work with custodians, clients and internal stakeholders to resolve operational queries and issues in a timely manner.
• Maintain complete and accurate client accounting and transactional records.
• Provide timely and accurate data to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective operational relationships with clients, custodians, Client Department, Global Services and other stakeholders, acting as a point of contact for client accounting and operational matters where appropriate.
• Prepare client fee invoice valuation data accurately and within agreed service levels.
• Take ownership of operational issues, resolving these where possible and escalating appropriately.
• Actively identify and drive opportunities for continuous improvement, using AI, automation and data tools to simplify processes, improve efficiency and strengthen controls.
• Support the implementation of new processes, systems and departmental initiatives.
• Support client transitions and lifecycle activity, including the effective set-up and ongoing maintenance of client accounting arrangements.
• What success looks like: