Position Keeping
Position Keeping is a key function in financial firms that involves tracking all financial assets, trades, and investments a company or client owns. Think of it like maintaining a detailed inventory system, but for financial products like stocks, bonds, and other investments. This process helps firms know exactly what they own, how much it's worth, and where these assets are held at any given time. It's crucial for making investment decisions, managing risk, and ensuring accurate financial reporting. When you see this term in resumes, it often relates to someone's experience with tracking and managing investment portfolios or trading activities.
Examples in Resumes
Managed Position Keeping systems for equity trading desk handling over $500M in daily transactions
Implemented automated Position Keeping solutions reducing reporting time by 60%
Supervised team of 5 analysts responsible for Position Keeping and Portfolio Management across multiple asset classes
Typical job title: "Position Keepers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Position Keepers
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a major discrepancy between front office trading positions and back office records?
Expected Answer: Should explain process of reconciliation, stakeholder communication, root cause analysis, and implementing preventive measures. Should emphasize importance of maintaining accurate records and regulatory compliance.
Q: Describe your experience in managing position keeping during a merger or system migration.
Expected Answer: Should discuss project management skills, data validation processes, risk management, and ensuring business continuity during major changes.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What controls do you put in place to ensure accurate position keeping?
Expected Answer: Should mention daily reconciliations, automated checks, manual verification processes, and regular auditing of positions.
Q: How do you handle corporate actions affecting positions?
Expected Answer: Should explain process of updating positions for stock splits, dividends, mergers, and other corporate events, emphasizing attention to detail.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the importance of position keeping in investment operations?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic concept of tracking investment holdings, importance for accurate reporting, and role in risk management.
Q: How do you ensure accuracy in position keeping records?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basic reconciliation processes, double-checking work, and following established procedures for position updates.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of financial instruments
- Data entry and basic reconciliation
- Understanding of position keeping systems
- Basic Excel skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex reconciliations
- Corporate actions processing
- Team coordination
- Problem-solving abilities
Senior (5+ years)
- Process improvement and automation
- Risk management
- Team leadership
- Strategic planning
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of attention to detail in handling numerical data
- No experience with financial systems or basic accounting
- Poor understanding of reconciliation processes
- Limited knowledge of financial instruments
Related Terms
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