Graduate Trainee (Apprentice), Global Operations

Overview

A 12-month graduate trainee apprenticeship in Global Operations at Russell Investments' Mumbai office, blending on-the-job training with theoretical learning. The role supports the timely delivery of financial statements under US GAAP, AICPA and SEC rules, including regulatory reporting such as N-Port and audit support.

What you'll do

• Ensure preparation of Annual, Semi-Annual and Quarterly financial reports for '40 Act funds (Russell Investment Company and Russell Investment Funds) in a timely manner with good quality.
• Prepare annual reporting for institutional funds (Russell Trust Company and Russell Institutional Funds LLC).
• Oversee, coordinate and execute the planning, organizing, training and leadership necessary to achieve stated goals, and act as a link between staff and management.
• Work with other teams within and outside Fund Administration to complete routine, project-based and ad-hoc deliverables for Russell's fund products.
• Post periodic journal entries, handle partnership accounting/allocations and prepare disclosures for alternative investment funds.
• Engage with the Funds' custodians, internal groups, external auditors and other key stakeholders to coordinate reporting cycles.
• Participate in projects that promote a streamlined financial operating environment.
• Evaluate and document policies, procedures and internal controls related to the financial reporting process.
• Work directly with external service and data providers, external auditors and multiple groups within Russell on financial projects for the funds.
• Prepare and review internal reports, sub-schedules and calculations that support the overall financial statement process for traditional funds.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Good knowledge of US GAAP, the Investment Company Act of 1940, U.S. Internal Revenue Code, CFTC Rules, ERISA and UCITS a plus.
• Understanding of fund accounting for mutual funds, commingled funds, LLC funds and private equity funds, and working knowledge of ERISA regulations, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Exchange Acts of 1933 and 1934.
• Ability to interpret accounting/financial information and understand how it may impact the Funds' financial statements, notes and other disclosures.
• Extensive knowledge of investment products and securities, including complex derivative instruments such as swaps, futures and options.
• Working knowledge of the relationships and interactions between investment managers and administrators/custodians/transfer agents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a highly functioning team, open to new ideas and disciplines.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure with minimal supervision to meet cyclical regulatory and internal deadlines, and to organize and prioritize multiple assignments.
• Ability to analyze complex issues, research solutions, prioritize workload and bring regulatory testing issues to resolution.
• Very strong tools-based knowledge including Excel, Access and other applicable applications in a LAN-based environment.
• Mindset of improving processes with data and workflow automation.
• Ability to communicate complex technical details to all levels of management.
• Proficiency in MS Office and management of large volumes of email correspondence.
• Ability to act with discretion and maintain complete confidentiality.

Nice to have

• CA, CPA or similar qualification.
• Knowledge and understanding of SQL and VBA.
• Knowledge/experience with the Confluence ASP Reporting System.
• Ability to create, refine and maintain policies and desk procedures related to the Funds' processes.
• Experience with 38a-1 requirements and Sarbanes-Oxley testing.

Details

• Location: Goregaon (East), Mumbai, India.
• Shift: EMEA (1:30 pm - 10:30 pm IST).
• Reports to: Associate Manager, Fund Administration.
• Program length: 12 months.
• Eligibility: must not be self-employed, enrolled in other government-funded programs, practicing professionally, or registered on the EPF/ESIC portal, and must not have completed education from a foreign university. Aadhaar must be seeded with the personal mobile number and personal email address.