Finance Associate

About Magnetar

Magnetar is a leading, global alternative asset manager with over $17.5B AUM as of June 30, 2024. Grounded in nearly two decades of investing experience, we focus on delivering positive outcomes for our investors by seeking to generate consistent performance across a variety of market conditions through our core businesses: Alternative Credit and Fixed Income, Healthcare and Systematic Investing. We are based in Evanston, IL with additional offices in New York, London and Houston.

Magnetar employees are among the best in the business at what they do. We attract highly skilled, dedicated professionals who enjoy collaborating and implementing innovative ideas. Our employees have an intense level of intellectual curiosity, a profound passion for our work and care deeply about delivering results for our investors, the firm and for each other. We work hard to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment where employees are empowered to thrive.

We are purposeful about investing in our employee’s health, well-being and firm culture. When you work at Magnetar, you will receive premier health care benefits, eligibility to enroll in a 401(K) savings program with employer match, unlimited PTO, lunch onsite, access to mental and physical wellness programs, the opportunity to participate in employee affinity groups with curated programming and networking events, and much more.

Position Overview

We are currently looking for an experienced accountant to join our Alternative Credit and Fixed Income (ACFI) Finance team at Magnetar. This position will report to the Controller of ACFI and will interact with Operations, Portfolio Finance, Investor Relations, and Front Office personnel on a regular basis. The position will help form and build relationships with external administrators, auditors, valuation specialists and portfolio company finance teams.

The position provides high visibility to various groups and exposure to a variety of hedge fund strategies and financial products employed therein. He or she will be expected to become familiar with the various investment strategies and financial products through on-the-job learning, informal discussions with Portfolio Managers, risk management and operational personnel, and external courses.

In addition to solid academics, accounting skills and work experience, the ideal candidate will possess a high level of intelligence and drive coupled with an ability to work both independently and in multi-disciplinary teams toward specific objectives. He or she has an optimistic attitude with a willingness to contribute however and wherever possible and seeks out an environment with the potential to rapidly assume additional challenges and responsibility based on performance.

Responsibilities

• Manage day to day fund accounting responsibilities, including:
• Prepare daily analysis of fund product/desk trading position/profit and loss and firm management reports.
• Assist in managing the monthly NAV process with the administrator to ensure timely completion of NAV closes within SLA.
• Contribute to the monthly investment valuation process for consistency with GAAP and the private placement memorandum, and prepare reporting for the quarterly Valuation Committee.
• Assist in the preparation and review of regular reporting requirements, including regulatory reporting, investor snapshots and ad hoc requests from the front office and investor relations.
• Manage the year-end audit and tax-related requests and queries at interim and year-end as well as review of the financial statements prepared by our fund administrators.
• Provide transaction support to the trading desk as it relates to private negotiated transactions.
• Assist in portfolio monitoring during various life cycles of an investment and participate in the asset diligence function.
• Recommend, develop and implement new practices, procedures and systems to improve operating efficiency, reporting capabilities and internal control.
  
  

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in Finance or Accounting with strong academic performance record.
• 4-5 years’ experience in public accounting with relevant client experience and qualified
• CPA or experience in a similar accounting or finance function in asset management.
• Proficient with Microsoft office applications with emphasis on MS Excel.
• High level of intelligence, internal drive, intellectual inquisitiveness and analytical ability.
• Optimistic attitude with willingness to contribute however and wherever possible or required. Seeks out an environment with the potential to rapidly assume additional challenges and responsibilities
• Energetic, flexible, attention to detail and demonstrated capability to be proactive.
• Proven ability to work both independently and in multi-disciplinary teams toward specific objectives.
• Proven ability to work with focus and effect under time or other constraints.
  
  

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.