Accounting / Finance - Accountant

Accounting / Finance - Accountant

Metasys Technologies is looking for multiple IT Help Desk Technician candidates for a contract opportunity.

This position reconciles foreign and USD cash for derivative settlements as part of the Cash Settlements group in the Investments department. This also includes processing accounting as it relates to MetLife Inc.'s investments in derivatives and other complex financial instruments for daily settlements. On a monthly basis, the position is responsible for booking GAAP entries as part of the close process, as well as reconciling accounts to the ledger. On a quarterly basis, the position prepares files and tables used in GAAP footnotes.

Dimensions of Position:

• The position is responsible for cash reconciliation and accounting for multiple derivative instrument types, primarily foreign denominated hedges and futures.
• The derivatives program is the primary tool for managing MetLife Inc.'s exposures to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, equity markets and credit risk across its income portfolio, mortgage loan portfolio, various insurance liabilities such as GMXB products and its Global GIC program as well as its equity position in International Subsidiaries.
• MetLife Inc.'s use of derivatives is very diverse and sophisticated and includes the following instruments: interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, interest rate floors, foreign currency swaps, foreign currency forwards, financial forwards, financial futures, equity options and credit default swaps.

Principal Accountabilities of Position:

• Perform financial reconciliations for USD and foreign currency, requesting of FX Buys/Sells, Clearing Foreign Cash in USD reconciliation, reporting and performing accounting duties necessary to resolve reconciliation issues.
• The position is responsible for daily, monthly, and quarterly reconciliations related to collateral (OTC and Futures) as well as processing monthly entries for GAAP reporting
• Work with Data Integrity team to reconcile daily payable/receivable.
• Complete audit requests in a timely and accurate manner.
• Run reports and queries to track current open items and identify issues.
• Ensure appropriate accounting documentation is produced and maintained.
• Participate in the effort to set team objectives that align with the needs of key customers (e.g., Derivatives – Middle Office, Derivatives – Front Office, Trade Settlements), monitor progress against those objectives and manage priorities in response to emerging and competing initiatives.

Competencies

• Builds Relationships/Works Collaboratively (Teamwork/Collaboration) – The key business partners for this position include members of Trade Settlements, Securities Accounting, the Derivatives Middle and Front Offices, and Data Integrity.
• Communicates Effectively – This position must communicate effectively across the Investments Dept, the Financial Operations Center and within the Derivatives Accounting and Reporting Unit.
• Produces Results (Responsibility/Initiative) – This position manages against operational metrics around the timely and accurate processing and accounting of derivatives transactions. This position participates in special projects around process improvements and automation through the leveraging of technology.
• Demonstrates Technical and Functional Expertise – This position requires significant technical competence around derivative cash settlements for various derivative products and other complex financial instruments. This position works closely with trading management, portfolio management, external auditors and the derivatives reporting group in resolving various technical accounting and financial reporting issues.

Qualifications

Required Competencies

• BS/BA in Finance, Math or Accounting is required
• 3-5 years of Accounting experience (in a supporting or lead role)
• Knowledge of accounting principles and familiarity with financial statements, including balance sheet and income statements.
• Experience with Derivative financial instruments is not a requirement, but is a big plus.
• Good consensus builder, team player
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Strong organizational and researching skills
• Ability to work autonomously and be proactive in identifying and resolving issues, and identifying tasks to be accomplished
• Strong MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint skills are necessary and knowledge of Microsoft Access is a plus
• Familiarity with Frontier, BI Publisher, PeopleSoft (MetLife's Corporate Ledger software), including, PS Query.