Head of Fund Accounting and Administration

Job Description:
Employer:            Deutsche Asset Management
Functional Title: Head of Fund Accounting and Administration
Corporate Title:  Vice President
Location:              Taiwan
Job Code:            #LI-ZL1 #LI-02

About Deutsche Asset Management:
Today, markets face a whole new set of pressures – but also a whole lot of opportunity too. Opportunity to innovate differently. Opportunity to invest responsibly. And opportunity to make change.
Join us at Deutsche Asset Management, and you can be part of an industry-leading firm with a global presence. You can lead ambitious opportunities and shape the future of investing. You can support our clients, local communities, and the environment.

We’re looking for creative thinkers and innovators to join us as the world continues to transform. As whole markets change, one thing remains clear; our people always work together to capture the opportunities of tomorrow. That’s why we are ‘Investors for a new now’.

As investors on behalf of our clients, it is our role to find investment solutions. Ensuring the best possible foundation for our clients’ financial future. And in return, we’ll give you the support and platform to develop new skills, make an impact and work alongside some of the industry’s greatest thought leaders. This is your chance to achieve your goals and lead an extraordinary career.

This is your chance to invest in your future.
Read more about Deutsche Asset Management and who we are here.

Team / division overview
The Fund Accounting and Administration team is responsible for all onshore funds daily operations to provide on-going support to the respective stakeholders. That may include fund lifecycle management, trade confirmations, trade settlements, NAV calculation, client order processing and in others may include counterparty maintenance, project management, communication with stakeholders and verifying internal controls to ensure compliance.

Role Details
As a Head of Fund Accounting and Administration at Vice President level, you will be responsible for:

You will be accountable for the leadership, governance and delivery of middle office, fund accounting and transfer agency operations, aligning operational priorities with business objectives and maintaining effective controls across the following areas:
Within a lean department structure, this role combines VP-level leadership and oversight with hands-on execution of middle office, fund accounting and transfer agency tasks as needed, including providing operational coverage during peak workloads or staff absences and directly resolving complex issues, while maintaining appropriate segregation of duties and maker-checker controls.

Functional leadership and oversight
Middle office

- Oversee broker/counterparty account opening, ensuring appropriate documentation, approvals and operational readiness.

- Oversee broker/counterparty KYC processes, ensuring timely reviews and escalation of outstanding issues in coordination with relevant control functions.

- Ensure accurate and timely internal and external reporting, with effective review controls and clear accountability for deliverables.

- Oversee fund performance measurement and the quality of supporting data, ensuring material discrepancies are investigated and resolved.

- Lead operational fund lifecycle management, coordinating stakeholders and ensuring readiness for fund launches, changes and closures.

- Maintain oversight of static data governance, including data integrity, change controls and timely resolution of exceptions.

Fund Accounting

- Be accountable for the accuracy and timely delivery of daily fund NAV calculations and reviews, ensuring robust valuation controls and escalation of material exceptions.

- Oversee fund accounting system processing, ensuring effective reconciliation, exception management and operational controls.

- Ensure accurate and timely submission of fund data to SITCA and delivery of data feeds to DB.

- Oversee monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports and regulatory reporting, ensuring reporting quality, appropriate review and adherence to deadlines.

- Oversee fund tax return preparation and filing, coordinating relevant stakeholders to ensure accuracy and timely submission.

- Lead the operational assessment and testing of fund accounting system changes, ensuring appropriate validation, controls and implementation readiness.

- Ensure timely delivery of Group-required information, with clear ownership and consistent data quality standards.

- Own service vendor oversight, monitoring service quality and control effectiveness, escalating material issues and driving remediation.

- Direct other fund accounting and administration activities, setting priorities and ensuring adequate resources and effective controls.

- Drive operational efficiency and continuous improvement, evaluating process and system options against business needs, risks and implementation requirements.

Transfer agent

- Oversee new client data setup in Jepun, ensuring data accuracy, completeness and appropriate controls.

- Ensure controlled and timely updates to client static data in Jepun, with appropriate validation and review.

- Oversee the accurate maintenance of client KYC review dates in Jepun, coordinating with relevant stakeholders to resolve discrepancies.

- Oversee support for client onboarding and the secure, timely delivery of original account opening documents to MorgenFund.

- Be accountable for accurate and timely processing of daily client subscription and redemption orders, with effective controls and exception escalation.

- Oversee fund settlement and payment activities, ensuring appropriate authorization, reconciliation and timely resolution of settlement issues.

- Lead the resolution of escalated client queries and operational requirements, ensure accurate and timely client order confirmations.

- Ensure accurate preparation and timely delivery of client monthly statements, supported by appropriate review controls.

- Oversee SITCA/TDCC monthly reporting, ensuring data integrity, completeness and timely submission.

- Oversee FATCA/CRS annual reporting, coordinating relevant stakeholders to ensure appropriate validation and timely submission.

Business Management

- Act as the senior operational point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, aligning expectations, resolving complex issues and escalating material risks to management.

- Lead local delivery of Group projects, setting operational priorities, coordinating resources and managing dependencies, risks and implementation readiness.

- Lead and develop the team as a trusted business partner, establishing clear accountability, strengthening capabilities and maintaining effective resource coverage.

- Own the functional governance framework and Key Operating Procedures (KOP), ensuring clear cross-divisional responsibilities, effective controls and timely remediation of identified gaps.

- Partner with business and control functions and global team to develop practical, scalable operational solutions, balancing business objectives with service quality, regulatory requirements and operational risk.

We are looking for

- Bachelor's degree in Accountancy/ Finance or equivalent

- Must have the SITE license

- Ideally 10 years financial accounting/ fund administration experience required, working in a high volume, fast-paced environment

- It would be an advantage if you have Big 4 experience, but this is not a must

- Extensive experience in asset management industry, sustainable investments, along with strong operations / accounting experience, broader knowledge from front desk to back office

- Superior relationship management, strong verbal and written communication skills (Chinese and English are both required)

- Proficient in Microsoft Excel (Pivot table and vlookup), Microsoft Word, PowerPoint)

- Proactive attitude, commitment to continuous learning, willing to challenge the status quo to improve processes

- Creative self-starter with strong initiative, ability to take ownership and work independently, as well as contribute to the broader global team

- Ability to multi-task and be hands on in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines under pressure

- Proven ability to leverage AI tools to enhance productivity, optimise workflows to solve business problems, while applying critical judgment to ensure responsible and ethical use of data and AI outputs.

What we’ll offer you:

At  Deutsche Asset Management we’re serious about diversity, equity and creating an inclusive culture where colleagues can be themselves and it’s important to us that you enjoy coming to work - feeling healthy, happy and rewarded. At Deutsche Asset Management you’ll have access to a range of benefits including, but not limited, to the below:

- Comprehensive leave policy, personal and volunteer days

- Competitive compensation packages including health and wellbeing benefits

- Access to best in class trainings, in role development and career progression opportunities

If you require any adjustments or changes to be made to the interview process for any reason including, or related to a disability or long-term health condition, then please contact your recruiter and let them know what assistance you may need. Examples of adjustments include providing a change to the format of the interview, or providing assistance when at the Deutsche Asset Management office. This will not affect your application and our recruitment team will discuss options with you
We at DWS are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, one that embraces dialogue and diverse views, and treats everyone fairly to drive a high-performance culture. The value we create for our clients and investors is based on our ability to bring together various perspectives from all over the world and from different backgrounds. It is our experience that teams perform better and deliver improved outcomes when they are able to incorporate a wide range of perspectives. We call this #ConnectingTheDots.