Ratings Associate - Credit Estimates

Skills & Competencies:

• Some relevant experience (including internships) is preferred.

• Excellent verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Proficient in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Technical skills such as experience using Python and SQL are preferred.

• Solid knowledge/understanding of financial statements.

• Excellent quantitative skills and financial/statistical research ability.

• Proactive and able to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

• Strong organization skills, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.

• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and prioritize tasks accordingly.

• Some understanding of fixed income markets and/or credit knowledge is preferred.

Education:

• Minimum undergraduate degree (e.g. Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent qualifications) with strong academic performance (in the US, minimum GPA of 3.0) in finance, accounting, economics, or other related fields.
• This position is for immediate hire.

Responsibilities:

Portfolio Management & Credit Quality
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.
• Developing a working knowledge of credit fundamentals through a review of components such as transaction documentation, cash flow analysis, or loss allocation rules.
• 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.

Research, Investor Outreach & Market Interaction

• 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.

Credit Administration

• 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.

Coaching & Guidance

• 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.

Risk Identification and Escalation

• 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 errors.

The Role:

The Ratings Associates will provide point-in-time credit analysis for unrated entities, corporate loans, mezzanine debt and bonds as requested by CLO Collateral Managers for inclusion in Moody’s rated CLOs (collateralized loan obligations). The role requires a solid accounting background with strong focus in financial analysis and good presentation skills. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate their ability to work effectively individually and in a team environment. The ideal candidate for this role will possess strong organizational skills, demonstrate attention to detail, and enjoy working in a collaborative team environment. The Ratings Associate position provides a unique opportunity to foster skills that are valuable to any future career in the financial services industry. This will be an internally facing role, reporting into the RRS Team Manager.