The Role

We are looking to expand the Controls and Data Integrity team (CDI) which is the internal auditing team for all of our clients’ financial derivative transactions.

Chatham Financial enters into derivative transactions on behalf of our clients to assist them in managing their interest rate and foreign currency risk exposure. These transactions are usually executed after an extended consulting process during which Chatham advises our clients on the appropriate derivative structures to manage their risk.  The accuracy with which these derivatives transactions are recorded is of great importance to our clients.  Data entry errors can have significant consequences to the economics of the transaction or to their accounting treatment. 

CDI team members ensure that all transaction details are accurately represented by Chatham. They also internally audit valuations of financial derivatives from our proprietary pricing models. Besides responsibilities for quality control, a great deal of detective work is involved to verify calculations, resolve discrepancies, and answer system related queries.

This position offers the opportunity for team members to develop substantial knowledge about how the US and International Capital Markets function, especially as related to interest rate and foreign currency transactions.  Candidates do not need to be finance or derivatives experts, but they must be willing to learn over time.

The learning curve at Chatham is long and challenging. Along the way you will:

• Ensure the integrity of all economic and financial data contained in our systems
• Check raw transaction data with a high degree of accuracy using our in-house Windows and Web-based applications. This quality control role is integral to the transaction workflow at Chatham.
• Interact with the client team members at Chatham to verify/clarify data as needed
• Collaborate with consultants from Krakow as well as other Chatham offices to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date valuations of their financial portfolios
• Check daily control reports to monitor unusual movements in transaction valuations
• Work with our Pricing and Analytics teams to resolve any issues that arise
• Understand various hedging strategies and our clients’ financial transactions
• Understand the nature of derivative transactions and the related market conventions, payments and valuations
• As experience is gained, team members play an active role in liaison between the business and technical teams at Chatham. Experienced team members also assist in the training of new employees.

Requirements

Degrees in accounting, finance and economics seem to be a good fit but we are open to any university specialization as long as the individual possesses the ability to meticulously focus on details while understanding the big picture.  Prior experience in economics or finance is not required. Our goal is to develop you so that you can assume greater responsibility and positively influence those around you.

However, some basic criteria are:

• High proficiency in written and spoken English, as our business is conducted exclusively in English
• Strong skills for numbers and mathematics
• Familiarity with using Microsoft Excel for verification of calculations
• Capacity for detail-oriented work and thoroughness
• Good people and communication skills
• Exceptional ability to think logically and conceptually
• Strong process orientation
• Ability to organize and prioritize many evolving and growing responsibilities
• Work-environment flexibility: ability to work individually and as part of a team
• A well-developed sense of how to achieve high levels of quality without relying solely on defined procedures

We are looking for individuals who want to make a long-term commitment to Chatham and will thrive in our culture. We make a substantial investment in each of our employees, and we hope that each Chatham team member will be an integral part of our future growth and success. The candidates should prove their ability to strongly contribute in a team environment, their drive and determination as well as eagerness to learn.