Vacancies at Acorn Holdings Africa

Qualifications

Qualifications and education requirements

• University degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or related business discipline  
• A Professional Finance Qualification, such as a CFA, CAIA, ICIFA, or CISI is preferable 
• +3 years in an analytical capacity in the investment space. 
• Strong numerical and analytical skills – experience with financial modelling. 
• Collaborative team player with strong negotiation, communication and dispute resolution skills. 
• High personal and professional integrity and strong work ethics.

Purpose of the job

The Senior Financial Analyst is responsible for managing and advancing financial operations of the REITs business managed by Acorn Investment Management Limited ensuring the REITs achieves the objectives outlined to investors. Reporting to the Senior Manager Asset of Acorn Investment Management Limited, the responsibilities include designing and developing complex financial models, analyzing data to identify and quantify risks, and preparing reports on key performance indicators and variances. It plays a crucial role in debt fundraising efforts through the creation of investment materials and engagement with potential investors. Furthermore, the position involves providing in-depth analysis of project returns and cash flows to aid senior management decisions.

Overall, the role facilitates strategic decision-making, monitors financial performance, manages risks, collaborates internally with key stakeholders, engages externally with investors and regulators, and drives ongoing process improvement across the organization.

Role and Responsibilities

Financial Modeling:

• Performance Monitoring - monthly review of the financial performance of the properties and projects through use of complex financial models. For the properties, this includes monitoring the occupancy and NOI ensuring they meet or exceed the target. For the projects, this includes monitoring the time of delivery and project budget ensuring they meet or exceed the target.
• Annual Plan – establishing financial models detailing the annual budget and plan for the REITs business. For the properties, it includes occupancy, rental escalations and operating expenses. For the projects, it includes site acquisitions, projects timelines, projects budget and projects exit. For the REITs business, it includes running costs, dividend and performance fees.
• Manage the design and development of complex financial models for real estate projects and other projects from time to time as necessary.
• Contribute to ad-hoc financial projects and initiatives as needed, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic business environment.

Analysis and Reporting:

• Risk management – identify and mitigate risks associated with the underlying assets including market risks, financial risks and operational risks.
• Reporting – prepare monthly management reports, quarterly reports to the Investment Committees, AIML Board and REIT Trustees and semi-annual and annual reports in liaison with the Acorn Invesment Management Limited team. These are then presented to various stakeholders such as management, Investment Committees, AIML Board, REIT Trustees and investors to aid in decision making.
• Valuation – aid in internal property and project valuations and identify key risks that would impact valuation.

Continuous Improvement:

• Team development - Stay updated on the latest modeling, valuation, and forecasting tools and international standards and contribute to the development and enhancement of modeling and forecasting tools.

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Qualifications

Education and experience background

• Undergraduate degree in any business discipline – Finance/Accounting/Economics and Statistics/Actuarial Science etc.
• A professional qualification is a plus but not necessary unless individual’s undergraduate is not business related. Qualifications applicable include ACCA/CPA/CFA/CIFA.
• 5+ years in an investment analysis and management capacity
• Experience in managing teams and external stakeholders.
• Experience and familiarity in working with CMA regulations and requirements.

Job Description

• Lead property acquisitions through preparation of supplemental offering memorandum and monitoring due diligence.
• Participating in fund raising activities with the investor relations team by way of presentations to fund managers and relationship management with fund managers.
• Develop and implement strategic business plans for each asset that will govern its daily operations. This includes forecasting budgets and assessing the impact of strategic plans on profitability.
• Work with property management team to assure financial performance, timely reporting, proactive and high-quality maintenance, and positive tenant relations.
• Provide an assessment of the REIT and underlying assets performance monthly which feed into quarterly updates for the investment committee.
• Prepare interim and annual reports providing qualitative and quantitative commentary of the REIT performance.
• Ensure full compliance of reporting network.
• Provide strategic, qualitative and quantitative recommendations to the executive director and the investment committee for ensuring performance objectives are met or exceeded.
• Lead the annual budget, business planning and re-forecasting process for the REIT. This includes maintaining the requisite financial models for the said tasks.
• Review monthly property management reports for variance against budget and strategy.
• Create cash flow projections, analyze and recommend investor capital calls and distributions.
• Complete valuations for properties for interim reports to generate NAV.
• Implementing dispositions to optimize the REIT performance.
• Ensure investor relations team are updated on fundraising requirements.
• Supporting investor relations with capital raising activities.
• Engage with lenders on term sheets and offer memorandum to negotiate and safeguard the REITs interests in funding acquisitions.
• Ensure lender drawdowns are planned and implemented. Ensure compliance with all lender requirements and constraints.
• Support business projects where required.
• Source and recommend REIT service providers to the board.

Skills required

• Financial modelling and analysis.
• Stakeholder management
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Communication and conflict resolution skills
• Prepare and deliver high-impact presentations for the Board and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity and strategic alignment.