Financial Analyst, Sr. (Investments)

The Financial Investment Analyst, Senior works under the guidance of the General Accounting Director and is responsible for assisting in establishing appropriate policies and procedures for the ongoing monitoring, valuation and accounting for the City of Atlanta’s Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans as well as maintain the proper accounting for the City’s Centralized investments and valuation.  The Analyst will work closely with Investment Custodians and Investment Fund Managers. Other primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:  liaison with City of Atlanta’s Treasury Office, act as a go-to expert on Alternative Investments on a day to day basis and during the audit, update various financial models and prepare comprehensive due diligence reports and benchmark analysis.

Specific responsibilities include:

Investment Monitoring

The Investment Analyst will develop, organize and maintain appropriate documentation for the ongoing monitoring of the City’s investments and alternative investments. Investment monitoring will be performed in concert with the Fund Managers and other external consultants.  Specific responsibilities include, but not be limited to:

 

• Develop appropriate monitoring practices and documentation to evidence the ongoing understanding of the alternative investment funds’ operations. 
• Perform benchmark analysis periodically/Quarterly to gauge the performance of the Plan’s alternative investment portfolio against the market indices.
• Obtain and review alternative investment funds’ SOC 1 reports if available and ensure that identified user controls are in place.
• Obtain and review year-end audited financial statements of the underlying investee funds with the ability to gain comfort on the fair values of their alternative investments. 
• Track capital committed, unfunded capital commitments and money weighted returns throughout the year for investments.
• Review the fund manager’s audited financial statements in detail, noting whether the opinion is qualified, any change in the auditor, or change in valuation procedures.
• Develop an understanding of each alternative investment agreement for ongoing operational monitoring.
• In coordination with the Investment staff and consultants, develop an understanding of all fund operational and capital activities and compare to agreements for appropriateness.
• Other duties as assigned.
  Investment Valuation

The valuation of Alternative Investments is relatively complex due to the lack of readily determinable market values. The Investment Analyst responsibilities would include but not be limited to:

 

•     Obtain and review the funds valuation policy, verify that all underlying investments are covered by the policy and annually monitor and document any changes to the policy.

•    Develop an understanding of the underlying investments held by the funds and the processes used for valuation.

•    Periodic review of valuations for compliance to the funds’ valuation policy and overall reasonableness.

•    Track the quarterly valuations of the holdings of the private equity and private real estate investments and investigate significant fluctuations.           

• Prepare appropriate internal documentation to evidence the valuation review and any findings or adjustments.

•    Assist with year-end valuation analysis to support values reported in the City’s annual audited financial statements.

Accounting

 

• Coordinate and manage quarterly Defined Contribution Pension Committee Meeting (DCPMC)
• Assist with monthly reconciliations of the City’s investments to trial balance.
• Investigate discrepancies in recording of Traded Securities.
• Reconcile investment balances reported by investment fund managers to the City’s internal records.
• Independently calculate fund performance and reconcile to the results presented by the fund and consultants.
• Develop written procedures for the accounting for investment pools established by the City.
• Prepare and process GASB reclassification of investments monthly close entries.
• Ensure all City’s Pooled Investments Securities are reconciled monthly between the External Investment Reporting System and Institutional Safekeeping Banks.
• Analyze and prepare monthly adjustments to record Amortization of Premiu