Controller

<div class="content-intro"><h3><strong>Intro description:</strong></h3> <p>Legalist is a tech-enabled alternative asset manager that uses proprietary data-driven origination to invest in uncorrelated legal and government-payment assets. Founded out of Y Combinator in 2016, Legalist manages over $1.7 billion for endowments, foundations, and family offices.</p></div><h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p>We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Controller to join our Finance team. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller will play a critical role in helping to oversee fund accounting, financial reporting, investor servicing, and compliance functions across our investment vehicles.</p> <p>This role requires close collaboration with fund administrators, custodians, limited partners, auditors, tax advisors, and Legalist’s investment and operations teams. The ideal candidate is analytical, proactive, and thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where accuracy, ownership, and continuous improvement are highly valued.</p> <h3><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Fund Accounting &amp; Operations</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Prepare and review quarterly NAV packages, including income statement and balance sheet reconciliations.</li> <li>Coordinate with fund administrators and custodians to investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies and month-end exceptions.</li> <li>Prepare and review shadow allocations to independently verify P&amp;L allocations, management fees, performance allocations, net returns and internal rates of return across all investors.&nbsp;</li> <li>Oversee monthly and quarterly expense accruals, cash disbursements, budgeting, and variance analyses.</li> <li>Review investment agreements, amendments, and related documentation to calculate and validate interest income, PIK income, fees, and other investment-related earnings.</li> <li>Monitor and maintain key investment terms, including maturity dates, coupon rates, principal balances, fee structures, and other contractual provisions.</li> <li>Prepare and review investment payoff statements and related portfolio reporting.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>Financial Reporting &amp; Investor Relations</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Oversee investor capital activity, including subscriptions, capital calls, distributions, transfers, and redemptions.</li> <li>Review and approve investor statements, capital account reporting, and monthly/quarterly performance reporting.</li> <li>Serve as a key point of contact for investor inquiries related to fund performance, capital activity, account confirmations, and ad hoc reporting requests.</li> <li>Assist with investor onboarding, subscription processing, and coordination with custodians and fund administrators.</li> <li>Coordinate and review all investor transfers and ownership changes with limited partners and service providers.</li> <li>Assist with annual audited financial statements and investor tax reporting and coordinate with external auditors throughout the audit process.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>Compliance &amp; Tax</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Assist with regulatory filings, including Form ADV and Form PF.</li> <li>Prepare quarterly UK VAT filings and annual tax-related reporting.</li> <li>Complete and review investor due diligence questionnaires (DDQs), consultant databases, and other recurring reporting requests.</li> <li>Support compliance, operational due diligence, and regulatory examinations as needed.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Required Qualifications</strong></h3> <ul> <li>5–10 years of progressive experience in accounting, auditing, fund accounting, or financial reporting.</li> <li>Strong understanding of financial statements, investment accounting, and performance reporting.</li> <li>Demonstrated experience preparing, reviewing, or validating complex performance calculations and investor reporting.</li> <li>Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.</li> <li>Advanced financial modeling and spreadsheet skills.</li> <li>Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.</li> <li>Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across all levels of the organization.</li> <li>Self-starter with a proactive, ownership-oriented mindset.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></h3> <ul> <li>CPA designation or CFA charter/candidacy preferred.</li> <li>Experience with investment company accounting and U.S. GAAP for alternative investment funds.</li> <li>Background in private credit, private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, litigation finance, or other alternative investment strategies.</li> <li>Experience working with fund administrators, custodians, and external auditors.</li> <li>Familiarity with Airtable or similar workflow/database management platforms.</li> <li>Experience operating in a remote-first or distributed work environment.</li> </ul>