Senior Investment Performance Analyst

JOB DESCRIPTION - INVESTMENT ANALYST IV

Summary:

Performs highly advanced (senior-level) fundamental investment performance research and analysis work. Work involves calculating and reviewing investment performance results (including benchmark returns) to ensure that they are prepared and reported accurately, completely, and timely.  Other duties include reconciliation of investment performance data with investment accounting data.  Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Prepares timely preliminary investment returns for separate investment pools on a monthly basis.  Monitors and analyzes investment portfolio and benchmark performance results prepared by the performance measurement service provider. Includes verification of benchmark returns as well as reasonableness checks on portfolio returns, and may involve recalculations of certain portfolio or asset class returns (including derivatives such as futures, options and swaps), and validation of data inputs and calculation methodology used compared to global investment performance standards, industry guidelines, policies, and agreed-upon procedures.

Performs reconciliations of the data used in investment performance calculations with investment accounting data, including valuation of holdings, intra-month cash flows and account roll-ups. Analyzes and reports any differences identified.

Works closely with Investment Division staff, Investment Accounting staff and external performance measurement service provider to analyze investment performance results as well as providing suggestions to improve the accuracy and reliability of investment performance data and processes.  Acts as a liaison with Investment Division staff and performance measurement service provider to collaborate on the decisions for portfolio strategy, benchmarks, account setup, and portfolio changes.

Performs attribution analysis on investment performance, compares it with the results prepared by the external service provider, analyzes sources of returns, researches and reconciles variances to source documents.

Analyzes investment performance results and reports them in meetings with Finance Division and Investment Division managers and staff as well as to external oversight agencies.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, and/or equivalent combination of education

Preferred Education:

• Master's degree in accounting, finance, or business

Required Experience:

• At least four years of work experience performing investment performance preparation, monitoring or analysis
• Experience in using Excel for investment performance preparation or analysis

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in procuring and/or using investment systems or performance monitoring tools (e.g., Factset, Bloomberg, Solovis, Eagle, eFront, etc.)

Preferred Certification: Certification in or working towards one or more of the following designations:

• Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM)
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Knowledge of:

• Investment performance preparation and reporting standards (e.g., GIPS), time-weighted returns and dollar-weighted returns
• Knowledge of investment performance attribution analysis
• Knowledge of investment concepts, terminology, strategies, asset classes, styles, and benchmarks

Skill in:

• Considerable skill in performing analysis of investment accounting and performance data
• Skill in using Excel for quantitative data analysis
• Excellent quantitative problem-solving and analytical skills
• Detail-oriented, organized, highly motivated and able to work independently and in a team environment
• Skill in planning, organizing and prioritizing work assignments to manage a high-volume workload in a fast-paced and changing environment, and in completing detailed work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Skill in using a computer in a Windows environment with word processing, presentation, database and other business software to prepare correspondence and reports. 
• Using effective written and verbal communication to convey information in a clear, concise manner (Communication)
• Identifying and resolving problems by using strong analytical techniques, innovative approaches and taking initiative in preventing and solving problems (Problem Solving)

Ability to:

• Absorb and apply information from formal and informal learning experiences
• To self-motivate
• Anticipate future tasks / problems
• Use judgement and take initiative in solving newly identified tasks / problems
• To think critically
• And willingness to travel (some international travel may be required)
• establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, agency staff and management to achieve common goals (Teamwork)
• plan, organize, and prioritize multiple assignments to effectively manage a fast paced and changing work environment without compromising accuracy (Adaptability)
• consistently meet internal and external customer needs and expectations in a professional manner (Customer Service)
• act in the best interest of the agency, maintain confidentiality and continually strive to improve self and job performance
• effectively demonstrate skill and ability to perform the specific job duties and tasks as defined by a job description (Technical Competence)
• maintain confidentiality and protect the privacy of state employees, taxpayers and other members of the public
• be dependable, meet deadlines and produce high-quality work (Workload Management/Productivity)