Treasury Operations Analyst - ERP Operating Limited Partnership

Working for Equity Residential (EQR), an industry leading multi-family REIT, means being part of a community and striving to provide the best in apartment living, speaking boldly about new ideas for innovation, and inspiring creativity in the ways we work together. We've got the best people in the business, and our experience shows in our dedication to residents and in how much we value each other as colleagues. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that knows how home should feel. That’s what our Be.Think.Play.Live. culture is all about. 
 

The Treasury Operations Analyst has responsibility for execution of daily Cash Management activities and management of all banking needs. Corresponds and maintains relationships with outside financial institutions and contacts other internal departments and/or outside agencies to resolve problems.  Monitors daily cash position and expected cash expenditures.  The role also assists the Treasury Manager in the Debt and Compliance area and serves as main back-up to the Treasury Coordinator in recording bank activities in Quantum.  

WHO YOU ARE:
 

• Analytical. You are comfortable building models, analyzing data, forecasting, interpreting financial statements, and evaluating trends. Without a doubt, you’ve got strong quantitative skills.
• Knowledgeable.  Interest rates, debt products, and fixed income concepts are comfortable topics for you to discuss and your solid understanding of capital structure optimization and rating agency methodologies are other tools you’re comfortable engaging in.
• Strong Communicator. Your writing and speaking skills are clear and effective, demonstrating your ability to be articulate and understood.
• Organized and Accountable. You are flexible and able to juggle the needs of changing priorities of the business.
• Efficient and Effective. You handle pressure well and do so with confidence. And when a tight deadline comes up, you organize the tasks to be completed —including quality checks— and focus on how to re-prioritize your other tasks to meet the timeframe.
• A Team Player. You are known for serving as a resource and trusted business partner for internal groups.  Participating in cross-functional projects is the type of work you love.
• Technologically Savvy. You’ve got a deep knowledge of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, plus at least a basic knowledge of Bloomberg and SNL Financial. 
• Passionate. Motivated. Eager to Learn.  You ask smart questions, challenge the status quo, and regularly seek to understand. You invest extra energy to reach your goals. And when a special project arises, you volunteer.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Initiates the electronic wire transfer of money to appropriate entities and in line with required Cash Management Approval Matrix.  Utilizes the same guidelines to review and approve ACH transactions entered by the Treasury Manager (TM).
• Oversees daily cash forecast and cash position reporting by managing Quantum entries. Review, approve and release ACH and Wire payments.
• Ensures complete and timely settlement of recurring debt obligations. Contacts lenders’ representatives through telephone and email to ensure receipt of correct invoices. Obtains necessary approvals of the invoices, generates debt information from the treasury system and organizes the loan backup for payment processing.
• Runs daily positive pay reports, addresses exceptions by contacting the division or corporate personnel for pay or return instructions, and entering the appropriate decision in the bank’s system prior to the deadline.
• Corresponds with the company’s primary bank(s) regarding check clearing errors, transmission problems, status of adjustments, research issues, etc.
• On a quarterly and annual basis, furnishes financial reports, officers’ certificates and other documents required by loan agreements.  Works directly with the lender’s billing group as EQR’s point of contact. Proactively contacts lenders’ through telephone and written communication in order to get resolution on outstanding compliance items. Responds to all internal and external inquiries from various groups regarding debt and compliance documents.
• Troubleshoots day to day cash management issues, as needed.
• Prepares, reviews and maintains internal audit compliance; ensure proper controls exist over cash receipts, disbursements and general Treasury activities.  Periodically work with Internal Audit to answer questions, locate additional support and perform transaction testing on primary banks’ websites.
• Monitors and oversees existing bank account services and signatories including bank account administration for opening and closing accounts and performs monthly Account Analysis review to confirm charges and services are accurate.
• Assists the Sr. Director Treasury in quarter-end process and deliverables to Accounting and Audit as it relates to Operations and Debt Compliance.
• Identifies and recommends process improvements within Operations and Debt and Compliance
• Coordinates with bank(s) on setting up, closing out, and extending letters of credit.  Also monitors upcoming expiration dates and updates/distributes letter of credit tracking sheets.
• Compares monthly letter of credit bank spreadsheets to our internal tracking sheets.  Reviews  quarterly letter of credit billing statements from various banks.  Identifies any discrepancies and follows up with bank contacts regarding corrections.
• Downloads a set of monthly bank statements by the 3rd business day of the following month and saves to File Stream for department record. 
• Serve as a back-up for the Audit and Cash Ledger processes. The Audit process involves reviewing various reports, verifying accuracy of posted transactions, checking for and removing duplicates, coding transactions with correct descriptions, and performing a variety of other checks and balances. The Cash Ledger process requires gathering all back up (ACH, wires, emails, incoming funds, stock options, profit stars, E-Box, RPC, MES, etc.), observing closely to ensure a thorough understanding of the information, and correctly coding all previous day transactions in the Treasury Workstation (“Quantum”) and investigating any unknown transactions or postings.
• Using Excel, serve as a back-up for uploading daily ProfitStars, EBox, MES and RPC transactions to Quantum generated from files received from Augusta Accounting.
• Monitors segregated security deposits and other miscellaneous investments.  This involves setting up new investment accounts and investing or redeeming funds as necessary.  Gives timely direction to bank(s) on reinvesting funds, and updates/distributes investment tracking sheets.
• Handles questions, requests, problems, etc. from the Augusta office.  Expected to appropriately prioritize issues, resolve problems, and complete requests in a timely fashion seeking assistance from the TM when needed.
• Periodically communicates with the banks or other vendors concerning new treasury management products and services.  May take the lead implementation role by identifying requirements, communicating with banks/vendors, and coordinating the process with the IT Department.  Trains other cash management personnel.
• Backup other members of the department for treasury functions on an as needed basis.  This includes corresponding with the banks and internal staff on various issues/problems, running and reviewing certain reports, posting cash activity in the treasury workstation, concentrating cash balances, processing required fundings, and investing or redeeming excess cash.
• Assist in the testing and and implementation of Treasury workstation software updates.
• Assists and/or provides backup for cash forecasting and commercial paper dealing functions, ensuring timely funding while minimizing costs.
• Represents the Company in a professional manner at all times.  Consistently maintains a professional courteous attitude when dealing with residents, coworkers and the general public.
• Performs special projects as assigned.  Performs other duties as necessary.
   

EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree and a Certified Treasury Professional Certification or equivalent are required.  Accounting major is a plus. At least 2+ years experience in an accounting, treasury, or banking capacity.  Must have good communication skills and be able to interact with bank personnel and internal employees. Must be a self-starter and possess good organizational skills and the ability to prioritize. Must have excellent follow-up skills and be detail-oriented.  Computer literacy required. Ongoing participation in cross training and the ability to adapt to periodic changes in responsibilities is key to this position.