Investment Performance Analyst

**Job Description** Financial Analyst – Investment Performance & Attribution **Location** – Melbourne **Employment Type:** Full-time **Experience:** 3–8 years **Industry:** Investment Management / Asset Management / Financial Services About the Role We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical **Financial Analyst – Investment Performance & Attribution** to join our investment management team. The successful candidate will be responsible for calculating, analysing, validating, and reporting investment performance across portfolios and asset classes, while conducting performance attribution analysis to explain the key drivers of investment returns. The role requires a strong understanding of investment performance measurement methodologies, portfolio analytics, benchmark comparisons, and attribution models. Hands-on experience with investment performance systems, particularly **PEARL by Ortec** , along with strong analytical and data management skills, will be highly valued. Key Responsibilities **1. Investment Performance Measurement** * Calculate, validate, and report investment performance for portfolios, funds, and investment strategies across multiple asset classes. * Perform daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual performance calculations and reporting. * Analyse portfolio returns against relevant benchmarks and investment objectives. * Apply performance measurement methodologies, including time-weighted returns (TWR) and money-weighted returns (MWR), where applicable. * Ensure accuracy and consistency of performance calculations, portfolio valuations, and return data. * Investigate performance discrepancies and coordinate with relevant teams to resolve issues. **2. Performance Attribution Analysis** * Conduct portfolio performance attribution analysis to identify the key drivers of investment returns relative to benchmarks. * Analyse the impact of asset allocation, security selection, currency movements, and other investment decisions on portfolio performance. * Perform attribution analysis across asset classes, sectors, regions, securities, and investment strategies, as applicable. * Explain portfolio outperformance and underperformance through quantitative analysis and meaningful insights. * Validate attribution results and investigate unexplained residuals and calculation differences. * Support multi-period attribution analysis and the interpretation of performance results over different reporting periods. **3. Investment Analytics and Reporting** * Prepare performance reports, attribution reports, benchmark comparisons, and portfolio analytics for internal and external stakeholders. * Analyse trends in investment returns, portfolio exposures, and performance drivers. * Present performance findings in a clear and concise manner to investment teams, portfolio managers, and other stakeholders. * Support the preparation of client reporting, investment review materials, and management dashboards. * Ensure reports are accurate, complete, and delivered within agreed reporting timelines. **4. Investment Data Validation and Reconciliation** * Validate portfolio holdings, transactions, cash flows, market values, benchmark data, and pricing inputs used in performance calculations. * Reconcile performance results across investment management systems, accounting platforms, custodians, and reporting tools. * Investigate data quality issues that may affect performance measurement and attribution outcomes. * Work closely with investment data management and operations teams to resolve data inconsistencies. * Maintain appropriate controls, documentation, and audit trails for performance calculations and reporting processes. **5. Systems, Process Improvement and Automation** * Work with investment performance measurement and attribution platforms, preferably **PEARL by Ortec** . * Utilise other investment systems and data platforms, such as Aladdin, SimCorp, FactSet, and Bloomberg, where applicable. * Support system enhancements, methodology changes, user acceptance testing (UAT), and implementation initiatives. * Identify opportunities to streamline performance reporting, automate repetitive activities, and improve operational efficiency. * Maintain process documentation, calculation methodologies, and standard operating procedures. Required Skills and Experience * Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related discipline. * 3–8 years of relevant experience in investment performance measurement, performance attribution, portfolio analytics, or investment operations. * Strong understanding of investment performance calculation methodologies and attribution concepts. * Experience analysing portfolio returns against benchmarks and explaining performance drivers. * Knowledge of time-weighted returns, money-weighted returns, benchmark construction, and performance reconciliation. * Understanding of asset classes such as equities, fixed income, cash, derivatives, and multi-asset portfolios. * Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis. * Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to investigate complex performance discrepancies. Preferred Qualifications * CFA qualification or progress towards CFA certification. * CIPM (Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement) qualification. * Experience working within an asset management firm, investment management organisation, superannuation fund, pension fund, or investment consulting environment. * Knowledge of GIPS (Global Investment Performance Standards) and industry performance reporting practices. * Experience with multi-currency portfolios, benchmark data, composite performance, and multi-period attribution. * Exposure to SQL, VBA, Python, Power BI, or other reporting and automation tools. * Experience with performance system implementations, data migrations, and process transformation projects. Key Competencies * Investment performance measurement and analysis * Performance attribution and portfolio analytics * Quantitative reasoning and problem-solving * Data validation and reconciliation * Financial systems and reporting expertise * Stakeholder management and communication * Process improvement and operational control