Let's begin! Quantitative Financial Analyst - Development Validation (11986)

Moody's Investors Service; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in ratings and risk assessment is seeking a Quantitative Financial Analyst to ensure the accuracy of financial analytics produced by their asset liability management product. In this role, you will bridge financial theory and implementation, validating that systems produce correct results aligned with industry standards. The ideal candidate will have 3 to 5 years of relevant experience, a master's degree, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in tools like Python and Excel. Work in a collaborative international environment to advance financial modeling accuracy.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience in a similar role.
• Ability to read and implement financial models from technical specifications.
• Experience with testing frameworks and automation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Review financial analytics requirements and collaborate with teams.
• Develop independent financial model prototypes and benchmarks.
• Create detailed test cases covering edge cases.
• Analyze discrepancies between expected and actual results.
• Offer constructive input to support the optimization of financial models.
• Execute and maintain regression test suites.

Skills

Model validation

Quantitative analysis

Financial model development

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Fluency in English

Financial Risk Models

Fixed Income analysis

Education

Master's degree in Financial Engineering

Master's degree in Quantitative Finance

Master's degree in Accounting

Master's degree in Mathematics

Master's degree in Statistics

Tools

Python

R

MATLAB

Excel

Job description

At Moody's, we unite the brightest minds to turn today's risks into tomorrow's opportunities. We do this by striving to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to be who they are - with the freedom to exchange ideas, think innovatively, and listen to each other and customers in meaningful ways. Moody's is transforming how the world sees risk. As a global leader in ratings and integrated risk assessment, we're advancing AI to move from insight to action-enabling intelligence that not only understands complexity but responds to it. We decode risk to unlock opportunity, helping our clients navigate uncertainty with clarity, speed, and confidence.

If you are excited about this opportunity but do not meet every single requirement, please apply! You still may be a great fit for this role or other open roles. We are seeking candidates who model our values: invest in every relationship, lead with curiosity, champion diverse perspectives, turn inputs into actions, and uphold trust through integrity.

As a Quantitative Financial Analyst - Development Validation, you will ensure the accuracy and quality of financial analytics produced by our asset liability management product. You will serve as the critical bridge between financial theory and implementation, validating that our systems produce correct results aligned with research and industry standards. You will work in a dynamic international environment, collaborating with teams and clients across different countries and time zones.

Primary Responsibilities

• Review financial analytics requirements and collaborate with Engineering, Product Management and Research to design comprehensive testing strategies
• Develop independent financial model prototypes and benchmarks using Python, R or MATLAB to validate production implementations
• Create detailed test cases covering edge cases, stress scenarios, and regulatory requirements
• Analyze discrepancies between expected and actual results, investigating root causes and working with developers to resolve issues
• Offer constructive, results-based input to product and engineering teams to support the optimization of financial models
• Execute and maintain regression test suites to ensure continued accuracy across releases

Skills and competencies

• 3 to 5 years of experience in a similar role (model validation, quantitative analysis, or financial model development)
• Master's degree in Financial Engineering, Quantitative Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Statistics, or closely-related field
• Good understanding of Financial Risk Models, Fixed Income analysis or Balance Sheet Management
• Strong analytical skills with a rigorous, quantitative approach to problem-solving
• Ability to read and implement financial models from technical specifications
• Proficiency in Excel, knowledge of Python or R or MATLAB
• Fluency in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills, is a mandatory requirement.

Additional desirable skills

• Experience with testing frameworks and automation is a plus
• Programming skills in C++, C# or Java sufficient to understand production code would be a plus
• Detail-oriented with persistence in identifying and resolving subtle numerical issues
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to document findings and explain complex concepts
• Basic understanding of AI/ML concepts and curiosity about how AI can enhance validation processes
• Ability to work independently on multiple validation projects while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated creativity, flexibility, and commitment to continuous learning

Moody's is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

Candidates for Moody's Corporation may be asked to disclose securities holdings pursuant to Moody's Policy for Securities Trading and the requirements of the position. Employment is contingent upon compliance with the Policy, including remediation of positions in those holdings as necessary.