Investment Accounting Associate

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.

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.

Qualifications

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.

Pay

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.