Wasif – Custodial Accountant

Joined Transact April 2011

Why did you join Transact?

I wanted to work at Transact because of its reputation within the industry as a provider of an innovative and leading platform that adds value for its clients.

I’m a firm believer that client satisfaction and safeguarding client assets and cash is fundamental to the company’s activities, and I thrive in a cutting edge environment which utilises the latest technology and skills to achieve this.

Adding value and increasing efficiency are common but vital goals that all firms should aim to deliver to clients. I believe this is central to the ethos of Transact.

Talk us through your career at Transact so far.

My first role at Transact involved having responsibility for developing and enhancing financial models used by senior management to determine and track performance targets and provide financial information for key decision making across the organisation.

Five years later the opportunity arose to move over to Client Accounting as Custodial Accountant with oversight of all client accounting activity, such as client money and custody asset reconciliations, asset income, asset servicing and asset transfers.

The move to Custodial Accountant has been both rewarding and challenging, it has been a great move for me career wise. The teams are dealing with large volumes of transactions and no day is ever the same. I have developed new skills, as well as being able to use knowledge and technical skills which I already had to develop the department.

What does your role involve on a day-to-day basis?

On a day-to-day basis, my core activities are:

• Ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of all the Client Accounting teams
• Ensuring maximum productivity and efficiency by reviewing and streamlining processes and procedures
• Ensuring we comply with the CASS rules
• Being able to address complex technical issues
• Regulatory reporting
• Assisting in strategic project work.

What do you enjoy about working at Transact?

I enjoy the fact that no two days are ever the same, and the work is dynamic and interesting. The teams I work with are engaged, hardworking, and motivated to produce the best results they can for clients and the company.

Everybody works well as a team and there is a real ‘can do’ approach across the finance department and company.

I would say that I learn something new every day, and I am given the opportunity to influence change every day.

How would you describe the culture at Transact?

There is a culture of respect, trust and integrity here at Transact. As a company, we aim to promote this and embed it into our relationships with all stakeholders, internal or external.

Teamwork is encouraged, as we know that results can only be achieved with co-operation and mutual goals which we all work together to achieve.

Good communication channels also ensure staff is kept up to date with industry, technical and company developments.

What advice would you give someone joining the business?

I would advise that person to take every opportunity that comes their way, and to learn from their peers and colleagues from different departments/fields in the business. Take responsibility for your own learning.

Be proactive, work to the best of your ability, and be prepared to go that extra mile.