Director, Capital Markets Product Control

Bank of Montreal•Virtual, NJ

9d•Remote

About The Position

Reporting to the Managing Director of Enterprise Product Control, the Director of Capital Markets Product Control (CM PC) leads one or more of the focus areas within the group responsible for the specialized accounting processes and related control environment supporting Capital Market activities. The Capital Markets Product Control Group includes Derivative and Nesbitt Burns Product (BMO’s Canadian broker/dealer subsidiary BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc), Fixed Income, Equities and Capital Markets Corporation Product Control (BMO’s US broker/dealer subsidiary BMO Capital Markets Corporation (“CMC”)), and Investment & Commercial Banking (“I&CB”) Product Control. The teams within Capital Markets Product Control are organized to support aligned functions and lines of business. Each group is led by at least one of the following; Director, Associate Director or Manager who provide direct oversight of control execution, under the strategic leadership of the Managing Director. The CM Product Control team is responsible for ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the P&L and PAA process, the general ledger, and for ensuring appropriate accounting policies and best practices are followed. This role involves performing complex analysis and investigations, leading the identification and implementation of process and control improvements, ensuring the readiness of operational accounting for new product initiatives, accounting changes and system implementations or upgrades, and participating in change initiatives. The Director, CM PC leads a critical function in supporting Capital Markets and is required to be an expert in P&L reconciliations, securities accounting, capital markets products, processes and systems. This leader delivers senior business knowledge, specialized technical expertise, and well-established management skills to ensure that financial accounting processes are developed, implemented and reviewed in alignment with the bank’s financial, regulatory and audit standards. This role is critical to both the operational excellence and the successful completion of change programs aimed at transforming existing Capital Markets transactional reporting, risk and governance processes while ensuring the maintenance of a robust and comprehensive technology infrastructure. This leader will effectively collaborate, often with little reliance on formal authority, with senior partners in the Front Office, Finance, Securities Operations, Risk and Technology to innovate and implement effective change to support those processes and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the financial processes within BMO. This role is accountable for Technical Excellence, Team Management, Operational Effectiveness, Risk Management and Control, Change Management, and Relationship Management by creating and maintaining a proactive service environment that maximizes employee productivity and customer service effectiveness.

Requirements

University degree with a minimum 5-10 years of experience in the financial services sector with a focus on capital markets, product control and related regulatory, control and operating environment
An accounting designation (CA, CPA) or 10 plus years of direct experience is required.
In depth knowledge in Capital Markets Products and Services (subject matter expert in capital markets products and operations).
General working knowledge of both Capital Market Product and Financial Reporting systems
Solid knowledge and understanding of Capital Markets Product Operations business, services and organization
Team Leadership
In depth Business Acumen
Technical Excellence
AI
Strong Computer skills, including strong knowledge of Excel and VBA
Operational Excellence
Communication
Relationship Management (internal and external)
Change Management
Influence and Negotiation
People management (diverse talent management)

Nice To Haves

A CFA designation is considered an asset
Knowledge of US and IFRS accounting standards, including audit practices, financial reporting processes and industry standards
Systems knowledge of the following: Imagine, ADP (BPS), ICI (Impact), Calypso, SwapOne, Global One, Essbase/Smartview, S4 Hanna GL would be an asset.

Responsibilities

Deliver an effective control environment for Capital Markets financial reporting and ensures any notified changes in the external environment (regulatory, tax, policy) are reviewed and implemented
Lead the adoption of AI in daily and monthly processes
Maintain an effective SOX environment
Leads the daily reconcilement and reporting of Trader P&L’s and PAA
Leads end-to-end accounting support from the source sub-ledgers to the entity general ledgers, for Capital Markets
Ensures the integrity and accuracy of the daily P&L, entity general ledger by initiating accounting entries, completing reconciliations and providing financial attestations which includes; Leads the accurate and timely reconciliation of daily P&L (daily Financial Estimate) and obtaining Trader Signoffs
Leads the accurate and timely reconciliation of the monthly P&L (Monthly Financial Actual) and obtaining Trader Signoffs.
Leads the accurate and timely preparation of month-end and quarterly reconciliations from source system to general ledger
Leads the monthly attestation process for all CM Product Operations Accounting accounts
Leads end-to-end accounting support from the source sub-ledgers to the entity general ledgers, for Capital Markets
Leads and manages a highly specialized team by setting context and direction aligned to organizational goals, defining accountabilities, identifying learning and training requirements for the team
Creates a learning environment aimed at continuously developing staff skills by identifying learning needs, providing regular feedback and motivating staff to achieve development goals
Manages staff performance including identifying and managing staff with high performance and those with performance issues and effectively acting when appropriate
Manages diverse talent to identify key talent and provide further growth opportunities both for key talent individuals and for other talent who show potential
Engages in personal development to enhance skills and knowledge that will keep pace with changing business needs and allow technical and product knowledge to be kept current
Attracts top talent into BMO
Improve data lineage and operational process
Investigates and reviews operational processes and accountabilities in order to improve efficiencies, reduce risk to the organization
Leads the development, implementation, assessment and maintenance of appropriate standards of service for this complex business unit that is highly regulated and must adhere to strict deadlines
Leads change programs by identifying, assessing, implementing and reviewing innovative solutions to improve the control environment and related accounting processes of their group
Develops and implements continuous improvement of business processes and procedures within this group
Partners with key stakeholders to identify and implement process and control improvements to enhance end-to-end process and controls (key stakeholders include: Front Office, Finance, Risk and Controls, Trade Support, Project Delivery, Technology and Operations)
Actively engages with the Management Group to identify and support initiatives and programs that enhance the performance of the group
Develops and maintains strong relationships with clients/peers within industry (external and internal) for purposes of enhancing business effectiveness