Controller

Intro description:

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.

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.

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.

Key Responsibilities

Fund Accounting & Operations

• Prepare and review quarterly NAV packages, including income statement and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Coordinate with fund administrators and custodians to investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies and month-end exceptions.
• Prepare and review shadow allocations to independently verify P&L allocations, management fees, performance allocations, net returns and internal rates of return across all investors. 
• Oversee monthly and quarterly expense accruals, cash disbursements, budgeting, and variance analyses.
• Review investment agreements, amendments, and related documentation to calculate and validate interest income, PIK income, fees, and other investment-related earnings.
• Monitor and maintain key investment terms, including maturity dates, coupon rates, principal balances, fee structures, and other contractual provisions.
• Prepare and review investment payoff statements and related portfolio reporting.

Financial Reporting & Investor Relations

• Oversee investor capital activity, including subscriptions, capital calls, distributions, transfers, and redemptions.
• Review and approve investor statements, capital account reporting, and monthly/quarterly performance reporting.
• Serve as a key point of contact for investor inquiries related to fund performance, capital activity, account confirmations, and ad hoc reporting requests.
• Assist with investor onboarding, subscription processing, and coordination with custodians and fund administrators.
• Coordinate and review all investor transfers and ownership changes with limited partners and service providers.
• Assist with annual audited financial statements and investor tax reporting and coordinate with external auditors throughout the audit process.

Compliance & Tax

• Assist with regulatory filings, including Form ADV and Form PF.
• Prepare quarterly UK VAT filings and annual tax-related reporting.
• Complete and review investor due diligence questionnaires (DDQs), consultant databases, and other recurring reporting requests.
• Support compliance, operational due diligence, and regulatory examinations as needed.

Required Qualifications

• 5–10 years of progressive experience in accounting, auditing, fund accounting, or financial reporting.
• Strong understanding of financial statements, investment accounting, and performance reporting.
• Demonstrated experience preparing, reviewing, or validating complex performance calculations and investor reporting.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Advanced financial modeling and spreadsheet skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Self-starter with a proactive, ownership-oriented mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA designation or CFA charter/candidacy preferred.
• Experience with investment company accounting and U.S. GAAP for alternative investment funds.
• Background in private credit, private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, litigation finance, or other alternative investment strategies.
• Experience working with fund administrators, custodians, and external auditors.
• Familiarity with Airtable or similar workflow/database management platforms.
• Experience operating in a remote-first or distributed work environment.