Associate / Senior Associate - Investor Services (Isg Operations)

Job Title: Investor Services – Associate/Senior Associate

Department: Morgan Stanley Fund Services

Morgan Stanley Fund Services (MSFS) provides fund administration services to the world's leading hedge funds. MSFS has around 1300+ professional globally and of which, 700+ employees works out of India. Our offices are spread in New York, Dublin, London, Glasgow, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hong Kong.
MSFS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The parent company, Morgan Stanley, has obtained Financial Holding Company status in the United States. Subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley are subject to the supervision and regulations of the Federal Reserve Bank. MSFS is an independent legal and business venture within Morgan Stanley. It provides services on a stand-alone basis, independently from other Morgan Stanley affiliates.
The services offered by MSFS include:
Accounting support including financial reporting
Investor Services
Tax Services
Middle Office support
Analytics
Corporate Secretary Services
StratumSM, investor transparency reporting

Job Purpose:

Morgan Stanley Fund Services is committed to providing the highest standard of services to the funds that we administer.  Investor Services lies at the heart of this commitment.

The global Investor Services team is charged with providing a best in class service to both our clients and their investors. The Advantage Services team plays a key role in meeting this goal by providing support services to our Onshore processing centre in in Manhattan, Westchester Dublin and Hong Kong.

MSAS plays a key role in the initial processing of investor information for Hedge Funds (Daily/Weekly/Monthly NAV), Private Equity, UCITs, Equalizations and ICAVs. 

This includes:
The distribution of Offering Memorandum to potential investors.
The receipt and review of completed subscription/Commitment documentation.  This includes:
Completion of initial AML review.
Initial review of subscription/Commitment documentation for completeness.
Cash reconciliation of transition account, Matching and Validation, Source of Funds
Set-up and review Investor wires in system
Email communication to investors seeking additional information where required.
Email communication to investors in response to routine queries.
Facilitate wire payments from Transition account to Prime Brokerage account.
Collection of applicable tax documentation

The receipt and review of other investor transactions (Redemptions, transfers, Fund switches etc),

This include :
Screening and categorizing correctly, liaising with internal department as per investor/client request
Conduct source of fund checks on funding related to subscriptions and capital calls
The setup on investor accounts & entry of investor transactions into the firm's systems.
The distribution of statements and other correspondence to investors.
The distribution of capital call notices to the investor investing in Private Equity Funds
Provide first class client service
During the course of normal day to day operations responsible for identifying any unusual or potentially suspicious transaction activity. Must report and /or escalate such transaction in accordance with corporate policy and guidelines detailed in relevant operating procedure

The role of an Associate is key to the delivery of these services.Responsibilities of an Associate include:

·         Calculating and processing high risk orders that need intricate calculations due to complex redemption liquidity terms.

·         Processing orders with complex Transfer logics and maintain side pocket requirements.

·         Complex calculation and processing of unique Equalization transactions due to lot maintenance.

·         Providing day-to-day investor services to both the Fund Manager and the investors in the fund.

·         Processing investor activity with a focus on accuracy and attention to detail.

·         Keeping line management appraised of operational issues.

·         Providing an effective daily hand over of processing between Mumbai and the other processing centres, currently in Westchester and Dublin.

·         Partnering with Onshore stakeholder on various reporting preparation which goes to MSFS clients (BPI/FINRA/AML EXTRACT/Dealing reports/Redemption etc).

·         Participate in global projects including system enhancements and data conversions.

Principle Accountabilities

Service Delivery

·         Monitor the receipt of client and investor information through email & secure uploads.

·         Ensure that all investor activity is processed in a timely and accurate manner.

·         Open new investor accounts ensuring compliance with the fund documentation, anti-money laundering requirements, statutory regulations and company policies and procedures. 

·         Process investor transactions in line with the fund documentation, anti-money laundering requirements, statutory regulations and company policies and procedures.

·         Reviewing / preparing month end & control reports for clients

·         Preparation of Board pack, AIFMD, Depolite & Blue sky reports

·         Review & maintain Monthly Investor liquidity reports

·         Cross team coordination and collaboration with teams such as Accounting, AML, FATCA.

·         Collaborating and exchanging ideas on projects with IT, Product development and internal UAT testing team.

·         Handling multiple client relationship and liaising with client facing rep on daily basis.

·         Processing transactions and task across multiple clients, being cognizant of complex client /investor specific nuances and exceptions for each transaction

·         Complying and abiding with client's bespoke requirements simultaneously being conscious of possible operational risks and keeping global risk team apprised

·         Handle routine email and fax queries from investors and fund managers in a professional and prompt manner, escalating where appropriate.

·         Provide investors and their nominees with statements, contract notes and other documentation.

·         Produce MIS and other internal operational reports that assist in the effective operation of the team.

·         Ensuring that the records of the fund are maintained in a complete and organised manner.

·         Research aging and exception items and follow through to resolution

·         Keep management in Mumbai, Westchester and Dublin appraised of operational issues.

·         All of the above should be carried out in compliance with the Service Level Agreements agreed with each client.

·         Understanding Irish Regulatory requirements while working on Irish Regulated funds and work accordingly to meet the SLA & KPIs agreed with depository

Compliance

Investor servicing requires compliance with a range of policies.  The Associate should have:

·         A detailed knowledge of the offering documentation for the funds being serviced.

·         A thorough knowledge of the regulations that pertain to the domicile of the fund being serviced.

·         A thorough knowledge of our internal policies and procedures.  Particular emphasis is required on all matters relating to Anti-Money laundering controls, FATCA, Irish regulations
Preference:

·         MBA or Postgraduate in Management – preferably in a business or numerical discipline

·         Experience –2 to 3 years of work experience preferably in financial services with Investor servicing experience for Private Equity and/or Hedge fund.

·         Knowledge of Private Equity fund structure, Equalization fund, ICAVs, UCITs, Hedge Funds, Master Feeder structure, Standalone funds and role of each entity is great advantage.

·         Good administrative and organisational skills with a particular focus on accuracy and attention to detail.

·         Deep understanding and appreciation of a domicile, operation, regulatory requirement, and various requests exist in IS space. 

·         Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal and organization skills

·         Ability to communicate with various internal teams to resolve fund inquiry and understanding when to escalate

·         Excellent administrative and organizational skills with a proven ability to multitask and work efficiently to meet client deliverables. Ability to perform effectively within strict client deadlines

·         Candidates must demonstrate initiative, be able to perform well under pressure with an ability to cope with increased workload at month-end and simultaneously be able to handle multiple assignments.

·         Strong Analytical and Problem-solving skills

·         Be a team player, self-motivated with strong work ethic having ability to work individually and as part of a team

·         Possess excellent time management and prioritization skills

·         IT literate - basic, nontechnical knowledge about computers and how to use them; familiarity and experience with computers, software, and computer systems.

·         An ability to work as part of a virtual team that is spread across different time zones and geographies.

·         An ability to use key financial systems and other IT tools.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunities employer. We work to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals can maximise their full potential. Our skilled and creative workforce is comprised of individuals drawn from a broad cross section of the global communities in which we operate and who reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences. Our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion is evident through our constant focus on recruiting, developing, and advancing individuals based on their skills and talents.