Controller

Position: Controller

Forester plans to hire a Controller to support the firm’s Finance Department. The candidate will work with the team responsible for fund accounting, financial statement and tax return preparation, portfolio analytics and performance reporting, investor inquiries and related communications, and managing cash flows and balances related to investment execution/trade settlement.

Firm Description

Forester Capital, L.L.C. is an alternative investment advisor offering institutional investors access to high-quality fundamental managers through our Alternative Investment Platform. Investors participate through Forester’s advisory programs, private equity structured revenue share funds, commingled funds, direct co-investments, and capacity rights options.

The firm has a strong track record making traditional and strategic investments with seasoned, successful managers who are starting, or have recently started, their own firms. Over the years, Forester has made over $2.3B in profits for clients investing in alternative managers including Lone Pine, Viking, Tiger Global, 12 West, Ararat, EVR and Heights Point.

The portfolios currently have 13 strategic revenue share investments that generate significant revenue for the firm, reducing fees and adding to performance. The underlying strategic managers have generated a strong performance track record and manage over $3 Billion in total AUM.

Forester is a values-based organization committed to making a difference in the lives of our stakeholders. We are aligned around our core principles of integrity, excellence, and communicating authentically. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors such as alignment, ethics, compliance, and diversity are part of our values-based approach.

Key Responsibilities

The Controller will play a key role in managing the firm’s fund accounting, financial reporting, treasury, portfolio operations, and related finance and compliance processes. Responsibilities span four core categories:

1) Fund Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Manage the fund accounting process, including intra-month, monthly, quarterly, and annual performance calculations
• Perform portfolio and bank reconciliations and oversee the NAV close process for master/feeder fund structures
• Review administrator books and records and maintain strong internal controls and financial processes
• Manage the annual financial statement preparation, audit, and review process

2) Portfolio Analytics & Operations

• Calculate and report portfolio analytics, including fund exposures, AUM, performance attribution, liquidity, and other risk management statistics
• Prepare pro forma portfolio packages and analyses to support the Research team
• Manage liquidity of underlying investments and coordinate subscriptions and redemptions to execute Portfolio Manager trading decisions
• Perform monthly foreign currency hedging
• Prepare manager revenue share calculations and related reporting packages

3) Treasury, Compliance & Reporting

• Manage cash processes, including preparing and reviewing wires and reconciling cash activity to the books and records
• Support the firm’s compliance program, including monthly, quarterly, and annual regulatory filings
• Prepare and review portfolio-level and financial reports for internal and external distribution
• Support investor relations by preparing data, marketing content, and responses to investor and client requests
• Process and review fund invoices and other fund expenses

4) Special Projects

• Develop and enhance financial models, reporting packages, controls, and repeatable operating procedures
• Maintain documentation, checklists, and workflows supporting the firm’s finance and operational processes
• Lead and contribute to firm-wide strategic initiatives and cross-functional projects

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate

Core Attributes

• High integrity and strong ethical standards
• Strong work ethic, ownership, and accountability in a dynamic environment
• Self-starter with the ability to independently prioritize and execute multiple responsibilities
• Team-first mindset with willingness to work across functions and take on evolving responsibilities

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical, communication, project management, and presentation skills
• Strong technical knowledge of fund accounting, financial reporting, and financial services operations
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven
• Process-driven: able to build, follow, and improve upon repeatable frameworks, procedures, and checklist
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while communicating status and issues effectively
• Ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively with all members of the organization
• Client-oriented thinking while advancing firm-wide initiatives

Experience & Education

• Undergraduate degree required, preferably in accounting, finance, economics, or a related discipline
• Relevant experience in fund accounting, financial reporting, or finance within the alternative investment or financial services industry
• Experience with hedge funds, fund administrators, master/feeder structures, and investment management operations strongly preferred
• Strong Excel skills and experience working with financial and portfolio reporting systems
• CPA

Reporting

The Controller will work directly with the CFO and Managing Member and other finance team members in the Stamford, CT office.

Compensation

Compensation commensurate with experience; full benefit package

Application Requirements

Submit a resume and a cover letter describing why you are interested in the role.