Investment Operations - Fund Accountant

Investment Operations Analyst – Fund Accountant

Location: Sydney
Reports to: Investment Operations, Senior Manager

Morningstar is committed to empowering investor success. One way we accomplish this is by offering independent research and great software products to financial advisers and individual investors. We believe that when the investor wins, we all win.

At Morningstar, your contributions have meaning and can drive change. We offer a place where talented, driven people can grow. Our differences are our strength; the fact that we don’t all think the same way and encourage unique perspectives helps create great products and services for our clients.

About the Role

Morningstar’s Investment Management business is seeking an Investment Operations Tax Analyst to take ownership of preparing and executing key financial and operational processes that support our investment products, including assisting with fund distribution activities. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working with data, managing complex calculations, and maintaining a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail.

In this role, you will be responsible for preparing financial management data and supporting the financial reporting process. You will assist with the calculation of management fees and accruals, fund distributions, foreign tax reclaims and income tax returns, as well as contribute to budgeting and forecasting activities. You will also play a key role in driving process improvements and supporting technology initiatives, including automation and AI integration, to enhance operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Management, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Generate monthly/quarterly client fee billing for Morningstar’s funds and separately managed accounts, including revenue accrual and fee collection.
• Calculate and process accruals for running expenses accurately and on time and prepare monthly revenue and fees/expenses recovery schedules.
• Prepare RG97 fees and costs disclosure reports in line with regulatory requirements for funds and key institutional clients.
• Assist in preparing budgets and forecasts for trusts, managed accounts, and advisory client fees.
• Assist in reviewing quarterly and annual AMIT fund distributions and income tax returns.
• Support cross-market tax reclaim activities, working closely with custodians and external service providers to prepare documentation, review reclaim data, and help ensure submissions are completed accurately and efficiently.
• Assist with preparing financial statements and managing external auditor inquiries. Process and validate expense invoices for third-party suppliers.

Financial & Data Management

• Compile and prepare management information reports, including Funds Under Management (FUM) and Assets Under Administration (FUA).
• Calculate and validate management fees, expense allocations, and cost recovery reports.

Process Improvement, Technology & AI Integration

• Support operational efficiency by preparing workflows for automation initiatives (including RPA).
• Assist in implementing AI and advanced analytics tools to improve accuracy and streamline processes.
• Participate in system upgrades and platform migrations, ensuring data and processes are correctly prepared for transition.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field.

• 1-2 years of experience in investment operations, fund administration, financial reporting, or similar roles is desirable.
• Exposure to AMIT fund distribution and income tax return, asset management, managed accounts, or investment platforms is desirable.

Technical Knowledge (desirable)

• Understanding of financial instruments and investment products.
• Knowledge of fee structures, RG97 reporting, and expense management.
• Familiarity with budgeting, forecasting, AMIT fund distribution, income tax return review, and financial statement processes.

Systems Proficiency

• Proficiency in Excel and exposure to data visualisation tools (Power BI, Tableau) is a plus.

Compliance & Risk Awareness

• Understanding of regulatory requirements such as RG97 and ASIC guidelines.

Soft Skills

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial calculations.
• Analytical mindset with problem-solving ability.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Why Join Us?

• Flexibility that works for you: Enjoy a hybrid work model with the perfect balance. 4 days in-office for collaboration and 1 day remote for focused productivity.
• Be part of something big: Work alongside leading investment management and operations teams shaping the future of financial services.
• Drive innovation: Take the lead in automation and efficiency initiatives, transforming processes in a dynamic environment.
• Make an impact: Contribute to strategic projects that enhance investment operations and elevate client service delivery to new heights.

If you receive and accept an offer from us, we require that personal and any related investments be disclosed confidentiality to our Compliance team (days vary by region). These investments will be reviewed to ensure they meet Code of Ethics requirements. If any conflicts of interest are identified, then you will be required to liquidate those holdings immediately. In addition, dependent on your department and location of work certain employee accounts must be held with an approved broker (for example all, U.S. employee accounts). If this applies and your account(s) are not with an approved broker, you will be required to move your holdings to an approved broker.

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.