Cash, Positions, and Trades Reconciliation & Investigation Analyst

Key Responsibilities:

1. Cash Reconciliation:

• Perform daily, weekly, and monthly reconciliation of cash balances between internal systems and external counterparties, such as banks, custodians, and brokers.
• Identify and investigate discrepancies in cash transactions, including payments, transfers, and settlements.
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., treasury, accounting) and external counterparties to resolve cash reconciliation issues.

1. Positions Reconciliation:

• Reconcile positions in financial instruments (e.g., equities, fixed income, derivatives) between internal trading platforms and external custodians or brokers.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies in position records, ensuring alignment between internal and external systems.
• Ensure proper documentation and reporting of position discrepancies.

1. Trade Reconciliation:

• Reconcile trade details (trade date, counterparty, price, quantity) between internal systems and external counterparties, including brokers, trading venues, and clearinghouses.
• Review trade confirmations and settlement reports to ensure that all trades are properly recorded and settled.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies in trade details and settlement mismatches.

1. Exception Management:

• Identify, Analyze, and Resolve Exceptions: Monitor and manage reconciliation exceptions by identifying issues, analyzing the root cause, and implementing corrective actions to resolve discrepancies.
• Timely Escalation: Escalate unresolved exceptions to senior management and coordinate with relevant teams to ensure timely resolution of exceptions.
• Exception Logging and Tracking: Maintain a log of exceptions and ensure that exceptions are tracked from identification through resolution. Provide regular updates on the status of exceptions.
• Continuous Improvement: Work to identify patterns in exceptions and collaborate with internal teams and external counterparties to implement process improvements and minimize recurring issues.

1. Process Optimization:

• Identify Process Improvement Opportunities: Evaluate and analyze existing reconciliation processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for automation.
• Implement Process Enhancements: Work with internal stakeholders to design and implement optimized processes that improve accuracy, reduce manual intervention, and increase efficiency.
• Automation: Collaborate with IT and other departments to automate reconciliation processes where possible, leveraging tools and technology to improve productivity and reduce operational risk.
• Ongoing Review: Continuously review and refine processes to ensure they remain aligned with industry best practices and regulatory standards.

1. Controls and Compliance:

• Ensure Control Frameworks: Maintain and adhere to strong internal control frameworks to ensure accurate and timely reconciliation, exception management, and issue resolution.
• Monitor Compliance: Ensure that all reconciliation processes comply with relevant regulations, industry standards, and organizational policies.
• Audit and Review: Support internal and external audits related to reconciliation processes and help implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Risk Management: Identify risks in reconciliation processes, including financial, operational, and regulatory risks, and collaborate with teams to implement mitigation strategies.

1. Investigation and Discrepancy Resolution:

• Investigate discrepancies across cash, positions, and trade records by reviewing system logs, trade confirmations, and settlement reports.
• Communicate with external counterparties, such as brokers, banks, and custodians, to resolve discrepancies in a timely and efficient manner.
• Escalate unresolved issues to senior management and ensure corrective actions are implemented to prevent future discrepancies.

1. Reporting and Documentation:

• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of reconciliation, exception management, process optimization, and investigation activities.
• Prepare regular reports summarizing the status of reconciliations, exceptions, discrepancies, resolutions, and process improvements for management and stakeholders.
• Document and track the resolution of discrepancies, exceptions, and process changes to ensure continuous improvement and compliance.

1. Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including treasury, accounting, operations, and IT, to ensure alignment on reconciliation processes, automation efforts, and best practices.
• Liaise with external counterparties and service providers to ensure smooth and timely resolution of reconciliation issues and exceptions.

Qualifications:

• Education:
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (required).
• Additional certifications (e.g., CFA, FRM, or CPA) are a plus.
• Experience:
• 5+ years of experience in financial reconciliation, trade operations, or a related role, ideally within a financial services firm, bank, or investment firm.
• Experience with cash, positions, and trade reconciliation across internal systems and external counterparties is strongly preferred.
• Experience in managing reconciliation exceptions, resolving discrepancies, and optimizing financial processes is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with financial instruments such as equities, derivatives, and fixed income products.
• Skills & Abilities:
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables, etc.).
• Experience with reconciliation software (e.g., Blackline, Kyriba, Xero) or similar tools.
• Knowledge of financial markets, trade settlement processes, and reconciliation best practices.
• Strong process optimization and automation skills with the ability to identify areas for efficiency improvements.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to collaborate across teams and with external counterparties.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and workflows simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with automated reconciliation and data analytics tools.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g., SEC, FINRA, FASB) related to trade and cash reconciliation.
• Experience in developing and implementing internal control frameworks and compliance procedures.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic and changing environment.