Analyst, Investment Operations (12-Month Contract)

THE ROLE

This is a fantastic 12-month contract opportunity for an experienced analyst to join a team of high performing professionals to make a great impact. Reporting directly to the Manager/Associate Director, Investment Operations, the Analyst, Investment Operations will be responsible for investment accounting and reporting, investment operations, and investment compliance within the public and/or private markets portfolio. This individual will ensure investment related data at the Custodian and other investment market data necessary for supporting the reporting and analytics are accurate, complete, and delivered on a timely manner throughout the organization.

The Analyst will be required to assist in developing key processes and controls for the Investments Finance function and subsequently scale the activities as the organization grows. This role requires collaboration with other members within UPP’s Investment teams and the individual will be expected to establish close working relationships with key stakeholders. 

This role is based in downtown Toronto under a hybrid work policy, allowing employees the flexibility to work remotely and in-office (approximately two days per week in-office).

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Analyst, Investment Operations will be responsible for a variety of duties including but not limited to the following:

Reporting 

• Manage, consolidate, and review the critical data elements for the portfolio reporting process and support the portfolio analysis and asset reporting activities
• Create and prepare monthly investment continuity schedule for investment portfolios
• Conduct ad-hoc reporting and analysis to support key investment finance decisions
• Develop and implement solutions to facilitate ongoing internal and external reporting effectively
• Support in the preparation of monthly summaries of capital calls and distributions activities, as necessary

Investment Operations

• Prepare working papers to review reconciliations of investment transactions and Net Asset Value
• Perform analysis through reconciliations and ongoing oversight of custody and accounting
• Manage end-to-end trade matching and settlement processes for internal trades, investigating and resolving discrepancies to support accurate and timely settlement.
• Build and prepare working papers to properly track investment activities in various investment portfolios
• Develop and prepare templates to reconcile manager holdings and market value to custodian records and document/investigate discrepancies
• Prepare variance analysis in investment accounts and review trial balances to ensure proper accounting treatments and address internal and external queries timely
• Develop and prepare monthly and year-end working papers with appropriate analysis and supporting documentation for annual financial reporting and audit purposes
• Effectively communicate with internal business partners, external fund managers, fund administrator and custodian to investigate/resolve issues and proactively identify discrepancies
• Assist with internal and external audits, as required
• Prepare information and proper documentation for statutory and other reporting, as required
• Proactively identify inefficiencies/gaps in operational controls, processes and reconciliations and formulate recommendations, including implementing improvements

Other Projects

• Proactively identify issues and propose solutions to support better execution of assigned tasks
• Assist with the establishment and improvement of new day-to-day and month-end processes
• Improve and enhance existing processes to promote efficiency and accuracy on the team
• Support any special projects and initiatives launched by the Investments Finance team
• Contribute to other UPP wide functional and enterprise projects, as assigned
  Support special projects by maintaining the delivery schedules, leading status calls, and liaising with stakeholders for outstanding items 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• University degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or other related discipline
• Working towards an accounting designation preferred (e.g., CPA); CFA considered an asset
• 2-4 years relevant experience in investment accounting in the financial service industry  
• Experience with investment accounting and fund accounting standards and reporting practices
• Strong understanding of investment operations and processes, including IT platforms and analytic tools that support investments
• Practical experience with financial reporting for investment portfolios and experience with accounts/portfolio structures
• In-depth knowledge of derivative instruments (i.e., swaps, futures, forwards, etc.)
• Proficient with MS Office required; proficiency with programming languages (e.g., macros, SQL, Python etc.) considered an asset

ATTRIBUTES

• Resilient, able to inspire confidence and respect
• Self-motivated, flexible, and adaptable to changing priorities and new challenges
• Detail oriented professional with high ethical standards
• Strong commitment to innovation and continuous improvement
• Ability to work independently and collaborate in a team environment
• Proactive to take a hands-on approach to learn about current processes to automate, and formulate recommendations to improve efficiency and shape future state
• Excellent time management and organizational skills and prioritize to effectively manage tasks to completion within required timeframes
• Excellent analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Persuasive and confident communicator, both oral and written