Books and Records Oversight Director

Job description

The Books and Records Oversight team within Markets Operations primary objective is to strengthen the books and records discipline and control framework within Markets Operations. The function has been recently created within Markets Operations to drive remediation efforts and the adoption of strong accounting practices as part of firm-wide policies and programs. The candidate requires solid accounting and financial background combined with a good understanding of operational processes and will lead Markets Operations’ engagement with the Finance department and at firm-wide forums on accounting related matters. Other objectives will be to 1) develop robust quality control around balance sheet substantiation for accounts owned by Markets Operations and 2) work with the Markets Operations’ leadership team to develop strong books and records / accounting knowledge across Markets Operations via the deployment of training and standards. Markets Operations is a global organization with a presence in over 60 Countries, covering post execution capabilities spanning product aligned Middle Office groups, Settlements, Margin, Asset Servicing, Listed Derivative & Commodities Operations. We support an extensive range of products and services including Fixed Income, Equity, Commodities and Syndicates. We are part-way through a multi-year journey to deliver a future state of Operations, encompassing end to end target operating model, controls design and uplift, technology transformation, data and process re-engineering. Responsibilities: Strategic Delivery: This role will be critical in driving the strategic delivery of key initiatives and continuous improvements across the Books and Records function. This includes translating broader organizational goals into actionable plans, ensuring the effective implementation of new processes and technologies, and embedding best practices to achieve long-term operational excellence and control enhancement. The Director will proactively identify strategic opportunities to optimize our framework, champion innovation, and ensure that all efforts contribute to a resilient, efficient, and forward-looking Markets Operations environment. Lead and Oversee: Work with line Operations teams to ensure all the correct metrics and controls are in place, with regular reviews to ensure monitoring remains relevant and effective. Work with Finance colleagues to ensure that balance sheet substantiation is complete and that controls are designed effectively. Foster a good understanding of accounting practices/processes within the wider Markets Ops team, bridging the link between the movement of cash with how this is recorded on Citi’s books and records. Partner closely with Business partners and Transformation teams on new initiatives/projects to ensure that financial controls are robustly considered and implemented. Oversee and co-ordinate all account owner activity across Markets Operations. Includes but not limited to: Understand and maintain Operations chart of accounts. Set a framework to ensure consistent roles and responsibilities for all Markets Ops staff as it pertains to how we control our account population and reconciliations requirements. Work with Markets Ops global functional managers to understand reasons for exceptions and breaks, ensuring issues are escalated timely , fixed at the root cause and look across for similar themes. Ensure well defined and documented processes are in place for reserve calculations across Markets Operations. Identify opportunities to reduce aged exceptions to reduce reserves. Review account ownership to ensure that the proofing processes are standard in their application and where relevant centralize these processes to drive efficiencies. Partnership with other functions to support a strong end to end control environment: Work with Finance and Operations Risk & Control to ensure Markets Operations are compliant with relevant policies and standards. Partner with Balance Sheet Control and risk reporting to support accurate and timely exceptions reporting. Work with Front office to ensure upstream data and processes are understood and robust so as to prevent downstream issues from occurring. Work with counterparts across the Centralized Operations team to promote consistency and common standards. Drive progress on areas of improvement: Work with Technology and internal partners to build a standard mechanism to accrue for and then pay/receive interest between internal desks/accounts across all products in Markets. Implement best practices to ensure reconciliations are correctly designed and compliant with relevant standards and controls. Promote development and retention of account and reconciliation SME’s across the group. Strengthen issue management processes, ensure emerging risks are correctly escalated with the appropriate level of urgency. Lead and oversee Markets Operations’ involvement in firm-wide programs related to accounting and book and records matters ( e.g. Strategic Ledger). Represent Markets Operations at firmwide governance forums such as the Enterprise Design Authority. Experience: 15+ years relevant experience. Industry expertise in financial accounting and the operational aspects of books and records management and account management. Experience as finance professional / background / degree and working experience in Technology creating products set up, UAT working with Finance / Market Ops people and understanding of products will be valuable. Articulates clearly how risk technology supports unit's business, as well as the issues due to gaps between the current technology and known business requirements. Consistently reads different situations accurately and takes appropriate action to gain senior colleague/ client commitment. Ability to measure and assess the impact of stress shocks including fat-tailed risks. Well-versed in reviewing the dimensions of franchise risk. Strong Leadership skills -Operates as a leader. Serves as a point of escalation for key issues or time sensitive decisions. Acts decisively in high risk scenarios, assessing a situation based on available data, experience, intuition, and judgment. Ability to respond to challenges with creative solutions, adapts to changing business needs. Demonstrated ability to make sound judgment calls on issues that can be both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Able to manage issues associated with operational risk capital, in partnership with the business, Finance and the Risk organization. Acts as a role model for managing people, coaching, and serving as a mentor. Excellent Communications skills verbal & written. Active listening skills. Qualifications: Bachelor’s/University degree, Master’s degree preferred. ------------------------------------------------------ Job Family Group: Operations - Transaction Services ------------------------------------------------------ Job Family: Reconciliation and Proofing ------------------------------------------------------ Time Type: Full time ------------------------------------------------------ Most Relevant Skills Please see the requirements listed above. ------------------------------------------------------ Other Relevant Skills For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter. ------------------------------------------------------ Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. 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