Investment Accounting Associate

Guggenheim Investments; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Guggenheim Investments in Chicago is seeking an Associate for the Investment Accounting team. The role analyzes security-level accounting information for client portfolios, maintains GAAP and statutory balance sheet values used in internal reporting, and helps ensure accuracy of assets under management.

You will monitor production jobs, record daily transactions, reconcile ABOR and IBOR, and prepare monthly reports for internal clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting.
• 2+ years’ accounting experience in financial services.

Responsibilities

• Monitor accounting system production jobs and ensure data accuracy.
• Record daily transactions and troubleshoot issues.
• Verify new portfolios and security-level records at setup.
• Reconcile ABOR and IBOR values and cash balances.
• Prepare monthly internal client reports.
• Assist with process improvements and ad hoc requests.
• Communicate and resolve exceptions with Custodians.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting

Tools

MS Excel

Access

Word

SQL

Job description

Position Summary

Guggenheim Investments is seeking an exceptional candidate to join its Investment Accounting team as Associate in the Investment Operations department. This person will participate in analyzing security-level accounting information for client portfolio; maintaining GAAP and Statutory balance sheet values used in internal portfolio management decision-making process; ensuring accuracy of assets under management and performance values for internal reporting; and resolving cash and position reconciliation exceptions. The ideal candidate should be detail-oriented, innovative, and enthusiastic to learn; have ability to take ownership of processes and manage time efficiently; possess analytical and problem-solving skills. This role is located in our Chicago office.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor accounting system production jobs; timely execute checks and controls to ensure accurate data in accounting system.
• On daily basis ensure transactions and income are properly recorded in the accounting system; be able to trouble shoot, correct and identify root causes of the issues.
• Work with Client Service Support team to ensure new portfolio and security-level accounting records are correct at the point of initial account set-up.
• Verify accuracy of asset transfers and corporate actions recorded in the accounting system.
• Periodically review earned interest for more complex investments.
• Analyze fixed income securities book yields in accounting book of records (“ABOR”); process book value adjustments, load and validate expected cash flow assumptions to support accurate accounting book values and yields.
• Reconcile periodically ABOR asset market values, accrued interest and cash balances to investment book of records (“IBOR”); identify, research and clearly summarize variances.
• For certain portfolios, ensure holdings are reconciled to positions and values reported by Custodians.
• Communicate and resolve exceptions with Custodians.
• Reconcile available cash to settled cash (including reconciliation of open receivable/payable for securities and interest due).
• Prepare monthly reports for internal clients based on accounting datasets.
• Participate and contribute to initiatives that generate greater accuracy in accounting information and process efficiencies; assist with special projects and ad hoc requests as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting.
• 2+ years’ accounting experience in financial services, specifically back-office investment operations and/or fund accounting.
• Proficiency in MS Excel (familiar with complex formulas for large datasets), Access, Word, and SQL.
• Team-oriented individual with ability to collaborate with a diverse group.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment, while maintaining accuracy and quality of work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Currently holding or pursuing CPA (preferrable) or CFA.
• Comprehensive knowledge about fixed income, loans, limited partnerships, and equity securities.
• Experience with Aladdin by BlackRock solutions and/or Wall Street Office or a similar investment system.
• GAAP and/or Statutory accounting for insurance company investments.

Agency Notice

We are not seeking agency assistance with this role.

Salary Range

Annual base salary between $100,000.00-$105,000.00 The base salary range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base salary range for this position. Actual base salaries may vary depending on factors such as location and experience. The range listed reflects base salary only, and the total compensation package may include other components such as incentive compensation.

Our Principles

We focus relentlessly on delivering results through innovative solutions. We relish opportunities to solve complex problems through exhaustive approaches. As we conduct our business every day, every member of Guggenheim is expected to uphold our uncompromising standards for integrity and excellence and to be personally accountable for their actions and business results. Our principles entail engaging highly talented people, challenging them to think creatively, and encouraging them to achieve extraordinarily high standards in their fields of expertise. To succeed at Guggenheim, candidates should be a strong fit with our business principles, culture, and value system.

Company Culture

We encourage you to review Our Firm page to learn more about how we seek to create value through our diversified businesses. We offer compelling opportunities for self-starters who take great pride in the quality of their work and seek to exceed expectations. We are looking for people who take ownership, adhere to the highest standards, and think creatively to realize opportunities.

Equal Opportunity

Guggenheim is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Contact

Learn more at GuggenheimInvestments.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.