
Rating Associate, Financial Institutions Group
- Sydney, NSW
- Permanent
- Full-time
- One year of accounting, credit modelling/financial modelling experience, including through internships, is preferred.
- Good understanding about banking sector and credit market (e.g. coursework, CFA or equivalent, or relevant work experience).
- Exceptional verbal, written communication, and interpersonal abilities.
- Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated proactivity and effectiveness in a collaborative team setting.
- Ability to adapt to dynamic environments and prioritize tasks effectively, with analytical thinking.
- Minimum undergraduate/first-level degree (e.g. Bachelor's Degree, or equivalent qualifications) with strong academic performance.
Working with lead analysts by performing day-to-day credit analysis related to ratings, research, presentations, and investor outreach. Examples of analytical work may include:
- Reviewing financial spreadsheets and charts, analyzing data and financial statements, building and updating financial forecasts, and writing analytical commentary in accordance with Moody's methodologies.
- Assisting with proprietary models and new financial projections as applicable, identifying trends in data, and applying analytical skills and judgment to form well-reasoned credit conclusions.
- Performing analytical tasks related to portfolio reviews and other credit projects.
- Developing a working knowledge of Moody's methodologies and credit rating best practices, and applying these with guidance from lead analysts.
- Collaborating with lead analysts in preparing the first draft of rating committee memos.
- Developing the ability to understand and identify key factors that affect issuer credit ratings. Interpreting and analyzing financial data and other credit inputs provided by internal and external parties.
- Monitoring credit quality and issuer and/or industry trends by following market developments and relevant news events, analyzing issuer reporting (including, in some rating groups monitoring and attending earnings calls), and engaging with issuers directly for follow-up clarification and information.
- Attending and participating in rating committee meetings, including to offer analysis and opinion where appropriate. Preparing credit estimates analysis used to assess elements of credit risk in certain rated transactions.
- Contributing to the first draft of core research (such as credit opinions, issuer and sector comments, press releases, pre-sale, and new issue reports) in collaboration with lead analysts.
- Contributing to research strategy, including idea generation and preliminary drafting, and adhering to Moody's research standards.
- Attending investor briefings and issuer meetings as required; helping prepare presentation materials in some cases; arriving prepared to engage in discussions.
- Building positive relationships with issuers displaying initiative to understand the issuer's business and proactively responding to issuer inquiries.
- Operating applicable ratings and research systems and utilizing software specific to the rating group.
- Demonstrating sound understanding and judgment in applying Moody's processes, documentation standards, and best practices, and adhering to all laws and policies.
- Providing guidance in the delegation of work to the data processing team.
- Actively managing workload pipeline to provide sufficient time for completion. Seeking guidance from the manager where needed to determine how to prioritize work.
- Providing feedback to the manager on the quality and accuracy of work produced by the data processing team, while providing constructive and proactive feedback.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to certify relevant key codes as required. Complete mandatory required training in a timely manner.
- Awareness of Moody's risk management approach.
- Increase awareness of cyber risks and avoidance of vulnerabilities e.g., e-mail use (phishing malware).
- Ensure high quality of work free of errors.