JOB BOARD: Data Management - Equity Methods, Scottsdale, AZ - 5 May 2009

Company Description:

A wholly owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch, Equity Methods serves a diverse clientele primarily consisting of Fortune 1000 companies. The firm strategically partners with some of the largest financial institutions and works closely with Big 4 and other large public accounting firms. The firm’s academic affiliates have provided key guidance to the FASB and SEC as they formulate policy regarding FAS123R and equity accounting.

Equity Methods provides valuation and accounting solutions in equity compensation, with a particular focus on the various compliance challenges created by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 123 Revised (FAS123R), SFAS 128, and SFAS 109. The practice is constantly performing research to expand the firm’s offerings into new areas valued by its client base.

Job Responsibilities:

•    Manage and process financial data requests. This includes:
o    Process Management: 
•    Develop and document financial data preparation processes
•    Assess processes for efficiency and effectiveness; likewise refine procedures as necessary to ensure consistent, repeatable execution of data preparation and report generation
•    Develop key metrics and monitor performance; achieve target metrics
•    Provide timely and relevant communication to key stakeholders regarding Financial Data team processes, procedures and progress
o    Customer Deliverables:
•    Oversee, track, prioritize customer deliverables (data preparation, FAS123r reports)
•    Meet customer requirements and deadlines and achieve high level of customer satisfaction
•    Provide timely and relevant communication regarding Financial Data Team deliverables
o    Outsourcing Partnership:
•    Train and mentor off-shore team on all critical processes
•    Maintenance of SOP Documents
•    Conduct weekly status calls with the off-shore team to ensure quality and mitigate issues/ to monitor overall direction and progress of the data management program
•    Manage and Develop Financial Data Team Members. This includes:
o    Effectively guide and train data team members to ensure a consistent baseline of knowledge and expertise
o    Effectively recruit and retain data team members
o    Assess employee performance, provide constructive feedback, generate development plans and performance reviews
o    Develop and refine assessment criteria and career progression plan for Financial Data Analyst role
o    Developing a proficiency and knowledge of SAS programming, FAS123R topics, Equity Methods offerings and our target audience across all members of the financial data team
•    Manage and Develop the Direct Client Support Team:
o    Ensure efficient and effective implementations and monitoring client satisfaction
o    Troubleshoot client issues/contract issues
o    Manage, review, and staff Direct Client Team
•    Develop client procedures/standard operating procedures:
o    Assist with the development of code for strategic engagements
o    Develop standard operating procedure and ensure a repeatable delivery for each engagement
•    New Service Development:
o    Evaluate and evolve services to increase profitability

Qualifications:

•    3+ years experience in SAS programming and execution, SQL and working with large amounts of data
•    Strong quantitative and data analysis and manipulation skills; ability to understand data structures and data integrity
•    Demonstrated ability to apply financial reporting principles in building SAS algorithms and execution of SAS Server based technology/installation with little to no guidance
•    Demonstrated ability to directly manage personnel; ability to effectively educate and train others
•    Experience working with public companies, SEC reporting and financial modeling
•    Motivated self-starter with strong problem solving skills and an ability to follow-through independently
•    Ability to understand customer’s needs and their business requirements
•    Demonstrated ability to develop project milestones and schedules for deliverables, and effectively communicate project status, requirements, and issues
•    Meets deliverable deadlines and is able to move between projects in a fast-paced environment; able to track details and apply accumulated knowledge to various projects
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with both internal and external customers
•    Prior experience and/or educational background in implementing process improvement strategies
•    Knowledge of FAS123R Accounting principles preferred, but not required
•    MS in Engineering/Finance or related quantitative field


Contact Information:

Tricia Clifford
(212) 236-2856
Patricia_clifford@ml.com