Fund Services.Analyst

at  Citco

ABOUT CITCO:

Citco is a global leader in fund services, corporate governance and related asset services with staff across 80 offices worldwide. With more than $1 trillion in assets under administration, we deliver end-to-end solutions and exceptional service to meet our clients’ needs.
For more information about Citco, please visit www.citco.com

Education, Qualifications and Experience

• Degree qualified in an IT/Business related discipline
• Bachelor degree in accounting, finance, economics, computer science, or relevant field;
• 3 - 5 Years in Financial Services with an exposure to Reconciliations and Business Analysis experience required.
• Ideal candidate has a strong understanding of financial products and strategies that a hedge fund might use. Ability to give guidance and lead more junior members of the reconciliation team. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in managing upward/downward communication channels.
• Good problem solving skills. Candidates are required to research problems reported by operations teams to determine if an actual problem exists or if additional training is required. When actual problem exists, they need to recommend a workaround until an actual fix to the problem is implemented.
• Ability to explain technical concepts to users in terms that can be easily understood.
• Experience working with data files is a must.
• General knowledge of databases or experience using SQL Server (T-SQL) and/or Visual Basic is desired.
• Data Analytics knowledge a preference
• Hedge fund operations experience, preferably with cash, notional and OTE reconciliation experience.
• Financial product knowledge, Domestic, Global and OTC security markets, Fixed Income and derivative product knowledge

YOUR ROLE:

The successful candidate will be part of the Counterparty Mgmt/Reconciliation Support Team whose responsibility will be to manage all aspects for currently supported reconciliations commencing with ensuring all counterparty account requirements are addressed, sourcing data, inclusive of rec and statements, and addressing daily production support issues.
The supervisor will lead a team that require a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of data processing and reconciliation (trades, cash and positions) processes with prime brokers and counterparties.
The successful candidate will have the ability to follow manage work processes and interact with high profile clients and brokers/counterparties. He/she must have an in-depth understanding of complex financial instruments.
As a Team Lead / Supervisor of the Counterparty Mgmt/Reconciliation Support Team, they are responsible to manage all aspects of automating and processing, via currently supported interfaces, the load of broker/counterparty activity/ position related data into Citco’s downstream reconciliation tools. The Team Leader / Supervisor is expected to be able to manage the team with the resolution of data issues based on an comprehensive understanding of the overall data flow.
The Team Leader will be responsible for requesting and following up on all data requests between parties, and insuring that all needed information is obtained on a timely basis. He or she will be responsible to self manage their workload, meet and report on deadlines to managers, and provide feedback to other departments on availability for the purpose of managing internal and external expectations around world.
The team lead will lead a team that require a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of data processing and reconciliation (trades, cash and positions) processes with prime brokers and counterparties.
The successful candidate will have the ability to follow manage work processes and interact with high profile clients and brokers/counterparties. He/she must have an in-depth understanding of complex financial instruments and ETL processes.
As a Team Lead of the team, they are responsible to manage all aspects of automating and processing, via currently supported ETL interfaces, the load of broker/counterparty activity/ position related data into Citco’s downstream reconciliation tools. They are expected to be able to manage the team with the resolution of data issues based on a comprehensive understanding of the overall data flow and underlying technology.
As new reconciliations are made available this team will manage roll out to all existing and new clients. The Team Leader will be expected to exhibit leadership and give guidance to more junior members of the team. This position will entail supporting all reconciliation systems.
The position will require the ability to effectively building and maintain strong working relationships between CFS and Prime Brokers, Counterparties and Banks.
The Team Leader will collaborate with tech and dev teams to ensure smooth roll out of functionality, testing and optimization of performance including use of API to capture broker data.
He/She should perform data analysis on incoming data, providing metrics and feedback on timing and data quality.

MAIN JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

Supporting Reconciliations

• Collectively, the Reconciliation Support Team is responsible for ensuring that data/file / statements delivery is established and is flowing as expected when new interfaces are implemented or new clients go live.
• Based on requests from Internal Operations and Integration Staff, manage onboarding onto the reconciliation tools.
• Work collaboratively with the Strategic Reconciliation Team to establish expected delivery dates, and effectively manage expectations with internal operations staff.
• Work collaboratively with the Data Management team to effectively hand off data files and statements that require monitoring for all reconciliation tools. This should include transferring knowledge of all auxiliary processes that require monitoring to ensure data successfully interfaces to the reconciliation tools e.g. replication.
• Escalation point for all reconciliation issues where data content discrepancies are encountered. Assist when external interaction is necessary.

Working with Counterparties

• Liaise with brokers/counterparties where data (on files or statements) delivered is not accurate or incomplete. Where necessary undertaking small mapping tweaks to address reconciliation data issues.
• Proactively work with brokers to obtain new files / statements according to new Industry standard and requirements.
• Work with counterparties to ensure we are using the best files /statements per instrument type and broker platform.
• Maintain documentation on what is learned from the brokers in terms of their platforms, the best files per instrument type, and key contacts at the brokers.
• Set up and co-ordinate monthly meetings with operational teams at the Brokers, or any other data providers the reconciliation team interacts with. Meetings would include discussing open issues, challenges and broker metrics. Drive improvements in broker data feeds including timing improvements.

ETL/Data Mapping/Data Analysis

• Core duties include mapping externally provided files into the Citco Normalized Data Container (NDC) tool and Xceptor ETL Tool.
• SQL knowledge is required (this can be learned) in order to create logic to translate broker-specific files into the normalized values required in the Normalized Data Container.
• Ensure client data is flowing as expected when new interfaces are implemented and new broker feeds are added.
• Analyze files and validate that all product/ asset class specific data is being provided.
• Interpret business logic to define and translate data mappings; QA test and validate output using a suite of mapping tools and downstream target applications.
• Work with technology teams to ensure optimization of mapping tools and infrastructure
• Ensure successful delivery and customer satisfaction as well as management of service expectations including work products, timing, and value to be delivered.
• Create, maintain and enhance a repeatable process to ensure a quality experience for each client of Citco.

Tools

• Point person for testing development items for reconciliation tools after IT signoff for production release.
• Participate in POCs to evaluate improvements to reconciliation tools.

Management

• Responsible for preparing staff mid and end of year reviews. They would also be responsible for identifying training opportunities for staff.
• Responsible for tracking identified team KPIs, taking remediation action where issues and trends present themselves.
• allocation of work to staff.
• Leads by example, is a good role model and positively influences team to achieve a high quality standard of work
• Ensure team deliverables meet necessary quality criteria and internal operations SLAs
• Assist Interface Solutions Manager in design and implementation of work-flow processes and improvements.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

• Degree qualified in an IT/Business related discipline
• Bachelor degree in accounting, finance, economics, computer science, or relevant field;
• 3 - 5 Years in Financial Services with an exposure to Reconciliations and Business Analysis experience required.
• Ideal candidate has a strong understanding of financial products and strategies that a hedge fund might use. Ability to give guidance and lead more junior members of the reconciliation team. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in managing upward/downward communication channels.
• Good problem solving skills. Candidates are required to research problems reported by operations teams to determine if an actual problem exists or if additional training is required. When actual problem exists, they need to recommend a workaround until an actual fix to the problem is implemented.
• Ability to explain technical concepts to users in terms that can be easily understood.
• Experience working with data files is a must.
• General knowledge of databases or experience using SQL Server (T-SQL) and/or Visual Basic is desired.
• Data Analytics knowledge a preference
• Hedge fund operations experience, preferably with cash, notional and OTE reconciliation experience.
• Financial product knowledge, Domestic, Global and OTC security markets, Fixed Income and derivative product knowledge.

Key Competencies

• Business & Commercial Acumen: Uses general knowledge of the overall CFS operational environment, how different functions interact, client business requirements, financial instruments and relevant CFS systems to generate innovative ideas in order to improve performance.
• Quality and Risk Management: Diligently implements CFS processes with team to ensure compliance and reduce risk; communicates high quality standards; seeks opportunities to implement efficiencies.
• Client Relationship Management : Places a high priority on client service and satisfaction; understands client deliverables; uses appropriate interpersonal skills and technical ability to build positive client relationships demonstrating credibility and value of CFS services.
• Coaching & Developing Others : Collaboratively provides timely guidance and feedback to motivate and help others strengthen specific knowledge and skill areas needed to accomplish work/performance goals.
• Drive for Results : Regularly reflects on their own and team performance; takes pride in personal and CFS success; creates and takes advantage of learning opportunities; uses newly gained knowledge and skills on the job and continues learning through their application.