CASS & Reconciliations Manager

OVERALL SUMMARY

To provide comprehensive operational oversight of the firm’s CASS processes and reconciliations, ensuring compliance with FCA CASS regulations. This role is responsible for safeguarding client money and assets through effective management of controls, oversight and approval of reconciliations, and the timely resolution of discrepancies, while maintaining adherence to internal policies and industry requirements.

To ensure the activities of this team function to meet the Company’s legislative and regulatory requirements and assist the fulfilment of the Company’s strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and develop the CASS Oversight and Reconciliation teams, ensuring effective performance, compliance, and professional growth.
• Ensure adherence to FCA's CASS rules to safeguard client assets and money, including the timely and accurate completion of CASS reconciliations.
• Oversee the implementation and effectiveness of controls to safeguard client assets and money, addressing any control gaps promptly.
• Identify, assess, manage, and report risks related to CASS controls, implementing a comprehensive risk management framework.
• Prepare and deliver accurate, timely submission data for the CMAR return to the FCA, including collating data and ensuring reporting accuracy.
• Produce and present insightful management information to internal committees, maintaining transparency and alignment on CASS-related matters.
• Support internal and external audit engagement for CASS audits, collaborating with auditors and stakeholders to provide all required documentation and evidence.
• Identify and report CASS breaches in line with regulatory and internal requirements, ensuring timely escalation, thorough root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Oversee the management and maintenance of the CASS Resolution Pack, ensuring it remains up to date, compliant with FCA requirements, and readily accessible in the event of a regulatory request or resolution scenario.
• Escalate, investigate, and resolve cash and asset discrepancies in a timely manner, ensuring all shortfalls are identified and funded appropriately.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and internal stakeholders, fostering clear communication and alignment on CASS-related responsibilities.
• Collaborate across departments and drive a positive CASS culture to ensure understanding and compliance with CASS rules and policies, promoting an integrated approach to regulatory adherence.
• Implement and lead process improvement and industry best practice to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, and the accuracy of reconciliations and controls.
• Deliver targeted training programmes to internal teams, enhancing knowledge of CASS requirements, reconciliation processes, and discrepancy handling.
• Maintain transparency with senior management by providing regular updates on CASS oversight, audit outcomes, and regulatory submissions.
• Focus on continuous improvement by identifying and acting upon opportunities to strengthen compliance, efficiency, and client service in CASS operations.
• Conduct annual or as-needed due diligence reviews of third-party banks and custodians to ensure ongoing compliance and safeguarding measures.
• Ensure that all CASS policies and procedures are accurately maintained, updated promptly to reflect any changes in controls or regulatory requirements.
• Collation of MI/data for monthly reporting internally to relevant committees
• Ability to clearly communicate and escalate issues/discrepancies to 2LOD and management as required
• Oversee and provide direction to the department(s) they manage, ensuring all core processes are completed in a timely manner, in line with legal, regulatory and Company requirements.
• Provide clear apportionment for departmental responsibilities and core processes and monitor the successful achievement of these.

DEVELOPING OUR PEOPLE

• Actively manage and develop direct reports, and succession planning for the department, escalating issues and taking remedial action where appropriate.
• Enhance the performance of the department through ongoing coaching and feedback in areas of personal effectiveness, ensuring all skill-gaps for direct reports are acted upon.
• Coach direct reports to ensure all employees are supported and committed to embracing diversity & inclusion, organisational and personal objectives.
• Represent the Company and communicate effectively with stakeholders, clients, employees.
• Ensure adequate time is given to conduct risk considerations by the department, and any risks identified are mitigated appropriately.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF:

• Experience and knowledge of CASS governance, oversight and reconciliations, the trading cycle and how this is impacts the CASS environment, as well as the ecosystem Winterflood operates within both for market making and WBS.
• Management of CASS Audits, internal audits and 2LOD reviews
• Exposure to automated reconciliation tools, Autorek is desirable.
• Production and validation of CMAR return
• Clear and structured communicator, able to quickly gain the confidence of governance committees.
• Evidenced ability to foster a strong positive culture (inclusive of the achievement of D&I objectives) aligned to the overall Company culture within a division or significant department.
• Evidenced ability to energise and align direct reports with the overall Company purpose, through clear direct management and guidance; and the building of high-performance team(s)
• Track record of delivery and setting high performance standards; clear focus and commitment to driving great customer outcomes, profitability, and shareholder value
• Proven ability to maintain a strong risk management and control framework within a CASS regulated business, inclusive of the ability to identify, assess, mitigate, and monitor risks and the offsetting controls.
• Working knowledge of the regulatory frameworks and requirements that apply to the business, including the CASS rules when managing client’s money or assets.

Benefits

• Competitive salary inclusive of discretionary annual bonus & annual pay review
• Work Abroad Policy for up to 15 days per year
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional well-being day
• Option to purchase an additional 5 days holiday per year
• Flexible working options available, including hybrid working
• Pension scheme up to 10% employer contribution
• Sharesave scheme
• Income Protection & Life insurance (4 x salary core level of cover)
• Private health care via BUPA
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Variety of travel to work schemes