George Kounnas CA

Controller at Palestra Capital Management LLC
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Contact Information
Location
United States, US
Languages
  • English Native or bilingual proficiency
  • Greek Limited working proficiency
  • Afrikaans Professional working proficiency
  • Dutch Elementary proficiency

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5.0

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Rob Patraulea

I have worked with George on an on-going basis for approximately 3 years on various hedge fund clients. From my experience, George is a very dedicated and knowledgeable person. He is client driven, always focused on maintaining and building client relationships and producing high quality and timely reporting for his clients. I would highly recommend George to any suitable employer or potential business partner.

Peter Walker

I have known George for more than five years (during which time we both worked for Fortis/ABN Amro PFS) and, during that time, he was a huge asset to the PFS business. George worked on some of the very biggest PFS clients (both single manager hedge funds and funds of funds). George was always popular with clients and staff and was very happy to help out whenever he could. Very competent technically, he was also something of an "Excel guru" and would train others easily while also develop some complex (and very useful) applications for the office. George was a valuable member of my Operations department for 2 years and I would have no hesitation in recommending him to a future employer.

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Credentials

  • Chartered Accountant (CPA equivalent)
    South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
    Nov, 2001
    - Oct, 2024

Experience

    • United States
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Controller
      • May 2023 - Present
    • Vice President
      • Jan 2016 - May 2023
    • Investment Banking
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Vice President
      • Jun 2015 - Dec 2015
    • Switzerland
    • Banking
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Client Relationship Manager
      • Nov 2005 - May 2015

      •Motivated and developed a team of five to effective team operations in a positive work environment. •Ensure the accuracy and completeness of various hedge funds, fund of fund net asset valuations and fee calculations, ranging from fund sizes of $100 million to $4 billion, based in various currencies and multiple classes. •Calculate NAV’s, daily position, dividend and cash reconciliations. •Enhanced and improved client relationships by pro-actively establishing regular… Show more •Motivated and developed a team of five to effective team operations in a positive work environment. •Ensure the accuracy and completeness of various hedge funds, fund of fund net asset valuations and fee calculations, ranging from fund sizes of $100 million to $4 billion, based in various currencies and multiple classes. •Calculate NAV’s, daily position, dividend and cash reconciliations. •Enhanced and improved client relationships by pro-actively establishing regular communications. •Recognized as the office Excel expert and conducted specialized Excel training classes to staff members. •Created an investor statement system for the company which led to attracting $2 billion worth of new clients. •Created a Microsoft Access management reporting system providing a $4B client with increased investor information for more informed decision-making. •Identify solutions and resolve queries raised by investment managers, auditors, directors and other service providers. •Authorize and approve distributions and redemptions to investors and calculating any crystallized incentive fees. •Review/prepare financial statements to ensure accuracy and compliance with the fund’s accounting standards e.g. US GAAP, IFRS. •Coordinate, manage and monitor the external audit process. •Improved efficiencies in the workplace by working on projects and implementing best practices. Senior Fund Accountant 2005 - 2006 •Prepared NAV’s for hedge fund and fund of fund clients. •Applied knowledge of series accounting allocations, limited partnerships and other equalization methods to underlying funds to ensure conformity to legal structure and memorandum. •Highly skilled in various investments including credit default swaps (single name and index), equity swaps, equities, forwards, futures, options and structured finance securities (including mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations and collateralized loan obligations). Show less •Motivated and developed a team of five to effective team operations in a positive work environment. •Ensure the accuracy and completeness of various hedge funds, fund of fund net asset valuations and fee calculations, ranging from fund sizes of $100 million to $4 billion, based in various currencies and multiple classes. •Calculate NAV’s, daily position, dividend and cash reconciliations. •Enhanced and improved client relationships by pro-actively establishing regular… Show more •Motivated and developed a team of five to effective team operations in a positive work environment. •Ensure the accuracy and completeness of various hedge funds, fund of fund net asset valuations and fee calculations, ranging from fund sizes of $100 million to $4 billion, based in various currencies and multiple classes. •Calculate NAV’s, daily position, dividend and cash reconciliations. •Enhanced and improved client relationships by pro-actively establishing regular communications. •Recognized as the office Excel expert and conducted specialized Excel training classes to staff members. •Created an investor statement system for the company which led to attracting $2 billion worth of new clients. •Created a Microsoft Access management reporting system providing a $4B client with increased investor information for more informed decision-making. •Identify solutions and resolve queries raised by investment managers, auditors, directors and other service providers. •Authorize and approve distributions and redemptions to investors and calculating any crystallized incentive fees. •Review/prepare financial statements to ensure accuracy and compliance with the fund’s accounting standards e.g. US GAAP, IFRS. •Coordinate, manage and monitor the external audit process. •Improved efficiencies in the workplace by working on projects and implementing best practices. Senior Fund Accountant 2005 - 2006 •Prepared NAV’s for hedge fund and fund of fund clients. •Applied knowledge of series accounting allocations, limited partnerships and other equalization methods to underlying funds to ensure conformity to legal structure and memorandum. •Highly skilled in various investments including credit default swaps (single name and index), equity swaps, equities, forwards, futures, options and structured finance securities (including mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations and collateralized loan obligations). Show less

    • Financial Controller/ Financial Reporting Manager
      • Jun 2001 - Sep 2005

      •Prepared monthly and quarterly reporting for presentation to the board of directors. •Calculated fees on investment products such as structured investments, guaranteed investments, mutual funds and tranches. •Managed staff of three in the creditors, debtors and retirement fund accounting department. •Prepared financial statements in accordance with GAAP/IFRS and retirement fund financial standards and liaised with internal and external auditors. •Created various forecasting… Show more •Prepared monthly and quarterly reporting for presentation to the board of directors. •Calculated fees on investment products such as structured investments, guaranteed investments, mutual funds and tranches. •Managed staff of three in the creditors, debtors and retirement fund accounting department. •Prepared financial statements in accordance with GAAP/IFRS and retirement fund financial standards and liaised with internal and external auditors. •Created various forecasting, budgeting and product pricing models that enabled the directors to make informed decisions on company competitor positions. •Developed and implemented an Activity Based Costing system linked to product profitability, resulting in greater awareness for each activity performed in the company. This resulted in significant headcount savings. •Reviewed the internal company policies and controls to prevent fraud and losses to due human error. •Completed and submitted legal and tax reporting requirements. Show less •Prepared monthly and quarterly reporting for presentation to the board of directors. •Calculated fees on investment products such as structured investments, guaranteed investments, mutual funds and tranches. •Managed staff of three in the creditors, debtors and retirement fund accounting department. •Prepared financial statements in accordance with GAAP/IFRS and retirement fund financial standards and liaised with internal and external auditors. •Created various forecasting… Show more •Prepared monthly and quarterly reporting for presentation to the board of directors. •Calculated fees on investment products such as structured investments, guaranteed investments, mutual funds and tranches. •Managed staff of three in the creditors, debtors and retirement fund accounting department. •Prepared financial statements in accordance with GAAP/IFRS and retirement fund financial standards and liaised with internal and external auditors. •Created various forecasting, budgeting and product pricing models that enabled the directors to make informed decisions on company competitor positions. •Developed and implemented an Activity Based Costing system linked to product profitability, resulting in greater awareness for each activity performed in the company. This resulted in significant headcount savings. •Reviewed the internal company policies and controls to prevent fraud and losses to due human error. •Completed and submitted legal and tax reporting requirements. Show less

    • Chile
    • Business Consulting and Services
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Auditor
      • Jan 1998 - Jan 2001

      •Audited various financial and manufacturing entities. •Audited various financial and manufacturing entities.

Education

  • South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
    Chartered Accountant qualification, Accounting
    2001 - 2001
  • University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika
    Master of Accountancy (In South Africa this post graduate degree is known as “Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting
    1998 - 2000
  • University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria
    Bachelor of Commerce Degree, Accounting Sciences
    1995 - 1997
  • Pretoria Boys High School -PBHS
    1990 - 1994

Community

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