Head of Fund Accounting (CFO Progression - Leading Global Hedge fund)

Our client is a global multi-strategy hedge fund investing across a broad range of markets, asset classes and investment styles. The platform continues to expand internationally, launch new strategies and attract portfolio managers and senior talent from many of the industry’s leading firms.

Despite its increasing scale and sophistication, the business retains an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture, with direct access to senior decision-makers and considerably less bureaucracy than the largest multi-manager platforms. Continued growth in assets, investment capabilities and product complexity is now driving significant investment in the firm’s finance infrastructure.

They are looking to appoint a Head of Fund Accounting to lead the continued institutionalisation of the finance function and support the firm’s next phase of growth.

This is a broad leadership position with a remit extending beyond traditional fund accounting. The successful candidate will work closely with the CFO and executive team, gain exposure across the wider finance organisation and be considered as a potential successor to the current CFO as part of the firm’s short- to medium-term succession planning.

The Opportunity

The immediate priority will be to strengthen the fund accounting operating model, enhance controls and build the infrastructure required to support continued growth across assets, strategies, products and legal entities.

The role will also involve developing the team, modernising systems and creating a more analytical finance function that operates as a genuine partner to the investment business.

Over time, the successful candidate is expected to take on broader responsibilities across corporate finance, FP&A, treasury, tax, audit and strategic planning, providing a credible route towards the CFO position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the fund accounting function across a complex multi-strategy investment platform.
• Take ultimate ownership of NAVs, investor allocations, fee calculations, financial reporting and accounting controls.
• Build, develop and retain a high-performing team, creating clear progression and succession plans.
• Partner closely with portfolio managers, investment COOs and senior leadership.
• Oversee the accounting implications of new strategies, products, fund structures and portfolio-manager launches.
• Provide analysis around fund performance, strategy economics, expenses and capital usage.
• Strengthen governance around complex trades, valuations, allocations and accounting judgements.
• Manage relationships with administrators, auditors and other external providers.
• Work across Operations, Treasury, Tax, Risk, Legal, Valuation and Technology.
• Lead the move towards a more automated, exception-based and data-driven operating model.
• Explore the use of AI across reconciliations, variance analysis, document review and control testing.
• Gradually assume broader responsibilities across the finance function as part of the CFO succession plan.

The Candidate

• Significant experience leading fund accounting, fund control or a closely related finance function.
• A strong background within hedge funds, alternative asset management or another complex investment environment.
• Deep knowledge of multi-asset products, fund structures and sophisticated trading strategies.
• Proven experience managing and developing teams.
• Experience improving systems, controls and operating models.
• Strong analytical and commercial judgement.
• Credibility with portfolio managers, executives, auditors and other senior stakeholders.
• The ability to operate strategically while remaining close to the detail.
• A genuine ambition to broaden beyond fund accounting and develop into an enterprise-level finance leader.
• A collaborative, pragmatic and low-ego leadership style.

A CPA or equivalent qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

This is not an opportunity to inherit a mature function and maintain the status quo.

The successful candidate will have the mandate to build a team, modernise the operating model, shape the use of technology and AI, and become a key adviser to the investment business.

For an ambitious finance leader, it also offers something particularly rare: a deliberately structured path from Head of Fund Accounting towards becoming CFO of a substantial and rapidly growing hedge fund.