Date Posted: April 1, 2008
Company: The Quest Organization
Website: www.questorg.com
Compensation: --
Experience: 7+ years
Type: Permanent
Location: New York
Contact: michael@questorg.com or (212) 971-0033 ext. 313

Description: The Candidate, under the guidance of the Head of Operational Due Diligence will organize and support the due diligence activities according to the needs expressed by the Operational Due Diligence Team. The main focus will be on all non-investment due diligence of funds in which the company is invested and funds for potential investment, as described in the firm's investment methodology.

As a member of the Operational Due Diligence Team, the Candidate will work closely with the Investment and Risk Management Teams to resolve and clarify operational/legal/compliance issues uncovered during the due diligence review process.

The position encompasses various responsibilities and activities as follows:

• Performing all non-investment due diligence and risk reviews for existing and new funds.
• Analyzing the operational risk associated with each fund/strategy.
• Preparing and leading in-depth on-site due diligence meetings with senior management (i.e. CFO's, COO's, Chief Compliance Officers as well as other support staff).
• Coordinating and reviewing background investigations on key personnel.
• Reviewing third-party service provider relationships and performing operational reviews of these providers.
• Reviewing and analyzing the audited financial statements of hedge funds.
• Reviewing the legal structure and offering documents of hedge funds.
• Reviewing the compliance procedures of the hedge fund.
• Reviewing pricing and trade settlement methodologies of the hedge fund.
• Reviewing business continuity/disaster recovery plans of the hedge funds.
• Preparing reports and presenting detailed results of the due diligence procedures (including concerns and recommendations) to the Investment Committee and providing an opinion as to whether the fund manager should be funded.
• Providing fund managers recommendations for enhancements to control operational risk.
• Ensure that all due diligence activities and questionnaires are planned in accordance to the decisions of the Operational Due Diliegence Team and then completed in a timely manner.
• Ensure that the Operational Due Diligence files with respect to funds managers are complete, properly organized and kept up to date.
• Support general business development activities as requested, particularly with respect to information on the company’s due diligence process.
• Develop market intelligence and industry best practice by liasing with fund administrators, prime brokers, external auditors and attorneys.

In pursuit of these duties, the Candidate will be required to travel from time to time within the United States and abroad.

Other Duties:

The Candidate may also attend various professional events, such as manager presentations and conferences, as the need occurs. The Candidate will carry out such other duties as may be directed from time to time by the Operational Due Diligence Team. The Candidate will follow the internal rules and procedures applicable to the Operational Due Diligence Team and maintain the highest professional standards.

Experience and Skills:

The successful candidate will ideally have a background in public accounting, preferably 4-5 years with a Big Four audit firm, or specialized firm serving hedge fund managers. He/she must also posses a minimum of 3-5 years experience with a hedge fund or fund of funds in an operational due diligence or back office/operational related role. CPA, MBA, or CFA required.

A strong understanding of:

• The various financial instruments used by hedge funds and their associated risks, pricing methodologies and accounting methods.
• Capacity to keep the strategic vision of a company in sight while paying attention to the details of day-to-day operations.
• Relevant securities laws and SEC rules and regulations.
• The role of third-party service providers to hedge funds, including prime brokers, custodians, counterparties, administrators and auditors.
• Hedge fund operations, including trade processing, custody, clearing and settlement and reconciliation.
   

The successful Candidate will possess:

• Impeccable character with high ethical and quality standards.
• Hard working and driven to succeed.
• Organized, detail-oriented and methodical.
• The ability to work in a dynamic environment under tight deadlines.
• Entrepreneurial and able to work with limited oversight.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Outstanding analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

(Job Code: #954)