Product Control Analyst , Corporate & Investment Banking Finance & Value Management

The Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) division at Liberty is seeking a motivated Product Control Analyst to join their Finance & Value Management team in Johannesburg. This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with the Treasury front office, including traders, risk, and valuation specialists. You will gain in-depth exposure to a wide array of global market products, from standard vanilla and flow instruments to more intricate structured and exotic products.

This position provides a comprehensive understanding of the daily trading activities within a bank, and the crucial role Treasury plays in managing liquidity and mitigating risk for the entire organisation. It's an ideal stepping stone for professionals looking to build a robust career in financial markets and product control.

About the Role

As a Product Control Analyst, you will be instrumental in supporting the Treasury function by ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data related to trading activities. This involves close collaboration with various internal teams to monitor and report on financial positions, P&L (Profit and Loss), and valuation adjustments. You will be at the forefront of understanding how financial instruments are priced and managed, contributing directly to the bank's financial health and operational efficiency. The role demands a keen eye for detail and a strong analytical mindset.

Your responsibilities will encompass a range of critical functions within product control:

• **Daily P&L Reporting:** Prepare and analyse daily profit and loss statements, investigating and explaining significant variances.
• **Valuation Support:** Assist in the valuation of financial instruments, ensuring adherence to relevant accounting standards and internal policies.
• **Reconciliations:** Perform regular reconciliations of trading positions and financial records to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• **Product Exposure Analysis:** Gain understanding and provide analysis on various market products, including their risks and P&L impact.
• **Liaison with Front Office:** Work collaboratively with Treasury traders and front office personnel to ensure accurate trade capture and reporting.
• **Risk and Compliance:** Support risk management and compliance activities by providing accurate financial information and explanations.
• **Process Improvement:** Identify opportunities to enhance existing processes and controls within the product control function.

What They're Looking For

The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in finance and accounting, coupled with a passion for global markets. Liberty is looking for individuals who are analytical, detail-oriented, and possess excellent communication skills.

Key requirements include:

• A postgraduate degree in Commerce, Finance, or Accounting.
• A Chartered Accountant (CA) (SA) qualification is highly desirable.
• Between 1 to 5 years of relevant experience in product control.
• Experience within finance and value management, specifically in product control analysis.
• Exposure to global markets, investment banking, or transaction banking is advantageous.
• Familiarity with auditing principles is a plus.
• **Behavioural Competencies:** Articulating information clearly, challenging ideas constructively, directing others effectively, embracing change, examining information thoroughly, exploring new possibilities, providing insightful analysis, pursuing goals with determination, taking decisive action, fostering teamwork, maintaining a positive outlook, and upholding high professional standards.
• **Technical Competencies:** A solid understanding of financial accounting principles, financial and accounting control mechanisms, and the ability to reconcile financial records accurately.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity for professional growth within a leading financial institution, providing exposure to complex financial products and critical business functions. In South Africa, roles like this within corporate and investment banking typically demand a strong academic background and often lead to further specialisation in financial analysis, risk management, or treasury operations. Career progression could see an analyst moving into senior product control roles, or transitioning into treasury management, risk advisory, or finance leadership positions.

• Post Graduate Degree in Business Commerce, Finance or Accounting.
• CA (SA) qualification..

Experience Required

• 1 to 5 Years experience Product Control Finance & Value Management
• 1 to 5 Years experience Product control analysis
• 1-5 years experience in Product Control, Auditing, Finance, Global Markets, Investment Banking or Transaction Banking

Behavioural Competencies:

• Articulating Information
• Challenging Ideas
• Directing People
• Embracing Change
• Examining Information
• Exploring Possibilities
• Providing Insights
• Pursuing Goals
• Taking Action
• Team Working
• Thinking Positively
• Upholding Standards

Technical Competencies:

• Financial Accounting
• Financial and Accounting Control
• Reconciling Financial Records