Research Analyst – Operational Risk

Fiducient Advisors provides tailored and personalized investment consulting services to clients such as retirement plan sponsors, endowments and foundations, private clients, and financial institutions. We operate with over 200 professionals nationwide, supporting our distinct purpose of helping clients prosper.

The Research Analyst – Operational Risk is responsible for evaluating the operational risk of investment managers prior to firm approval and monitoring recommended managers for changes in operational risk. The ideal candidate will have a sound understanding of operational risks, internal controls, and industry best practices while possessing strong analytical skills and an ability to effectively communicate findings.

The Research Analyst is a member of the broader Research department, providing their subject matter expertise to the investment manager underwriting and monitoring process.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct thorough operational due diligence on prospective and current investment managers with a focus on private equity, private credit, hedge funds, and real assets.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with the investor relations and operational leaders of investment managers and key service providers
• Request, track, and review documentation related to investment manager operational risk
• Perform onsite and remote due diligence interviews with investment managers and key service providers
• Write detailed due diligence reports of investment managers that include analysis and opinion of operational risk, and present findings to internal and external parties
• Conduct regular monitoring and ongoing due diligence of recommended investment managers
• Maintain research database for documents collected, meetings conducted, and analysis performed
• Create original research white papers on operational risk topics
• Improve the due diligence process through development and implementation of new policies and procedures
• Advise clients, consultants, and research professionals on matters pertaining to operational risk related to specific investment managers or the industry broadly

Required Education, Professional & Technical Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with a preferred concentration in Accounting or Finance
• 2 to 5 years of experience with hedge funds, private equity, or mutual funds either auditing financial statements at a “big 4” firm or conducting operational due diligence at an investment consultant or fund of funds
• Certified Public Account (CPA) license preferred
• Knowledge of internal controls over trading operations, accounting, compliance, and information technology
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite required, above-average Excel proficiency preferred
• Familiarity with fund financial statements and legal documents
• Experience working with industry service providers and their roles in investment manager operations

Essential Traits

• Thoughtful ability to establish rapport and build relationships.
• Exceptional communication in a public setting with notable writing and presentation skills.
• Adaptability when priorities shift and able to work independently.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Innovative, curious, and enthusiastic.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy and organization.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and collaborative working relationships to support a sense of belonging.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes inclusion and belonging.

Work Environment & Travel Requirements

• This role may travel up to 10% of the time for training and or business/events.
• This role offers a hybrid work model with three days in one of our professional office environments and two days remotely.

Physical Job Expectations

The physical job expectations described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for up to 8 hours.
• Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information.
• The person in this position may at times need to move throughout the building to access different areas.
• Ability to move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their primary responsibilities.

What We Offer (Summary Highlights)

A workplace that welcomes authenticity and practices acceptance for what makes each of us different. We are committed to educating our team, growing as a firm, and taking intentional actions related to inclusion and belonging. We strive to be active participants of change in and outside our industry.

The base salary range for this position is $93,000-$125,000. The base salary offered will be determined by factors including, but not limited to, experience, credentials, education, certifications, skill level required for the position, the scope of the position, and geographic location. Actual base salary offered will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the base salary, this position may be eligible for performance-based incentives.

Paid Time Off

• Generous PTO with optional rollover
• Personal/Sick Time
• 10 Holidays with additional half days off for specific holidays throughout the year
• Summer Perks
• Bereavement Time –inclusive time off for a loved one, unborn child, or pet.
• Employer Paid Parental, Personal and Family leaves.
• Professional Development Day for eligible exams

Work Life Convenience Benefits

• Exclusive Wellness Benefit Programs from VirginPulse, Care.com, Torchlight, Real Appeal, Peloton and more
• KindBody – Family & Fertility Assistance
• Wellness Reimbursement Program
• Professional Development Designation reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Employee Resource Groups, Mentorship Program & New Hire Cohort
• 401K Plan with company match
• Cell Phone Reimbursement Program

Fiducient Advisors provides equal employment opportunities to all associates and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.