Senior Business Analyst
Location:     Boston
Job Code:     23
# of openings:     1
Description
Ascend Consulting is a premier project based consulting firm focused on business process and technology consulting within Capital Markets and the L&A Insurance markets . We find solutions and implement change throughout our Fortune 500 clients in both Massachusetts and New York. Ascend client’s use our services to improve their business and technology processes. Our approach provides a disciplined management model, focused on performance and user interface delivery. These results are reinforced with our 100% client referenceability.
 
Become an integral part of one of the areas fastest growing private companies that will provide you with an opportunity to establish yourself within a cooperative environment. Collaborate with domain and information technology experts who work together to successfully translate business vision into a finished technology solution for competitive advantage. As a Senior Business Analyst, you will understand the client’s business processes, devise solutions and applying relevant technologies with a keen emphasis on client satisfaction and return on investment.
 
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

    * Gather and document business requirements and technical specifications
    * Identify, conceptualize, develop and implement business solutions
    * Participate in system implementation planning and responsible for task execution by other consultants
    * Interface with senior client management and business users to map out and document business requirements
    * Work hand-in-hand with technical resources to provide insight during solution development
    * Solve problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of complex factors
    * Translate business requirements into functional specifications
    * Develop and execute testing procedures
    * Function as a subject matter, process, and operational expert to conduct end user training

WHAT DO I NEED TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING?

    * Excellent business writing skills coupled with a "political" understanding of the level and type of communication appropriate to a particular situation.
    * Function effectively independently or as a member of a cross functional team
    * Exposure to full life cycle project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, RUP etc…) especially case based with an in-depth understanding of a SDLC

Subject Matter Expertise in one or more of the following areas:

    * Derivatives
    * Prime Brokerage                      
    * Securities Lending       
    * Mutual Funds              
    * Security Master
    * Trade Order Management
    * Life & Annuities

Expertise in one or more of the following areas desired:

    * Reference Data
    * Financial Reconciliation
    * AML
    * Performance Attribution
    * Business Process Management (BPM)

Expertise one or more of the following areas a plus:

    * Settlement               
    * Clearance                    
    * Foreign Exchange       
    * Compliance                 
    * Custody
    * Transfer Agency
    * Reconciliation 
    * Corporate Actions
    * Account Master
    * Asset Management
    * Exposure to software packages such as PORTIA, Charles River, Smartstream, Eagle Pace, Eagle Star, FactSet, Business Objects, Business Intelligence, RDBMS, Oracle, Essbase, DTCC, DerivServ, Swapswire, SEI, Net Exchange, SharePoint, Geneva, Calypso, Murex, Summit, StatPro, DSTi, Pershing, Macgregor
    * Technical experience a plus if it includes financial services or insurance software/solutions

 WHAT ELSE?

    * IIBA certification highly desirable
    * Previous formal consulting experience preferred
    * 7+ years of professional experience within capital markets
    * Bachelor’s degree; Advanced degree preferred