What does a Fund Accountant do?

Cablah

Hi, I am in the race for a role as a trainee fund accountant and was hoping someone could shed the light on the average day as a FA? Thanks

loveacca

I worked at this for a while, not the most exciting job in the world. You would be just reporting on the performance of various funds, looking at bank recs, preparing Profit and Loss accounts and Balance Sheets

Cablah

Thanks very much for the info! Would you recommend it as a good start though? And in terms of difficulty where would you rate it?

Roxirose

It can be difficult as its technical. Over all its a good start in a thriving industry

Cablah

A good start is exactly what I am hoping for. There has been some posts on here that really slam fund accountancy so I was just hoping to see a positive perspective on it

Ardeehey

Most negative perspectives come from those who got unlucky in the industry or just didn't like it at all or maybe just got stuck in a rut. You could be unlucky and end up in a large group doing the same work for many different funds and not really get the chance to move on and progress....or you could end up in a group where you get a rounded exposure to the full spectrum of work involved in a fund, each company has it's own individual approach to processes depending on their size. At the end of the day it's your own approach and mentality that will make most of an impact, if you are positive and proactive and show enthusiasim then it will be spotted and used.

loveacca

Ardeehey wrote: »

Most negative perspectives come from those who got unlucky in the industry or just didn't like it at all or maybe just got stuck in a rut. You could be unlucky and end up in a large group doing the same work for many different funds and not really get the chance to move on and progress....or you could end up in a group where you get a rounded exposure to the full spectrum of work involved in a fund, each company has it's own individual approach to processes depending on their size. At the end of the day it's your own approach and mentality that will make most of an impact, if you are positive and proactive and show enthusiasim then it will be spotted and used.

I would agree, I didnt mean to sound to negative in my earlier post. It can be a good starting job and people have gone on to very rewarding and successful careers in that industry ..................................... but not me

Cablah

loveacca wrote: »

I would agree, I didnt mean to sound to negative in my earlier post. It can be a good starting job and people have gone on to very rewarding and successful careers in that industry ..................................... but not me

Oh no it wasn't negative its exactly the type of answer I was hoping for. Another question if you don't mind. When you decided to get out, did you find it easy or hard to change the path of your career?

realthbr

Just about to take a fund accounting role myself. I've spent the last while going through all the threads mentioning fund accounting. The negativity is amazing in some of the posts. I guess you have to start somewhere in life though. I'm pretty impressed with the starting salary on offer to me and the interviewers where pretty sound and seemed like people I'd get on well with so I'm just happy to have a job at the moment. All this talk about the long hours and eating lunch at your desk does bother me though. In a few months time I'll have my own valid opinion on the job so I'll be sure to give here on boards