Aval R. Brown
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Strategic and performance-focused Financial Specialist with MBA in Finance and proven success in supporting global financial operations through data-driven decision-making and process optimization. Experienced across international and domestic markets, specializing in trade settlements, reconciliation, margin management, and custody services for equity and fixed-income products. Known for streamlining workflows, automating manual processes, and resolving complex trade discrepancies with accuracy and efficiency. Highly proficient in Excel, Access, SQL, Cognos, and VBA, leveraging advanced analytics to uncover trends and improve performance. Known for strong client relationships, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic problem-solving. Forward-thinking professional with growing expertise in AI and cryptocurrency, committed to integrating innovative technologies into modern financial systems. Experienced using Bloomberg and global clearing and settlement platforms including Euroclear, DTC, CDS, CREST, and Broadridge Impact, GLOSS, and BPS. Highly proficient with the BONY FX Trading Platform, Olympic Banking System, and Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Power BI, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Vendor Management
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA (ICBC)
New York, NY
03.2023 - 05.2025
- Serve as primary liaison between ICBC and Broadridge, overseeing system functionality, configuration, and enhancement requests across key platforms including Impact, Gloss, and BPS. Manage issue escalation, testing, and automation initiatives to ensure seamless trade processing and data integrity across QA and production environments. Partner with cross-functional teams to improve system reliability, documentation quality, and end-user support.
- Resolved trade processing errors by identifying and correcting configuration logic, improving settlement accuracy 50% and reducing response time for similar issues, preventing repeat failures and potential trade breaks.
- Reduced support inquiries and increased user confidence by creating detailed training materials and conducting walkthrough sessions to ensure smooth adoption of new Impact report changes.
- Served as the primary liaison between Operations, Compliance, and Technology teams and Broadridge technical resources, translating business requirements into functional and technical specifications for the Impact platform.
- Analyzed and documented system requirements, workflows, and control logic supporting trade processing, reconciliations, and regulatory reporting within Broadridge Impact.
- Executed user acceptance testing, data validation, and migration support to ensure accurate implementation of new functionality and system upgrades.
- Coordinated directly with Broadridge and third-party vendors to troubleshoot issues, implement upgrades, and manage ongoing platform improvements.
- Maintained comprehensive documentation of business processes, system parameters, and configuration settings to support audit readiness and operational continuity.
Assistant Vice President, International & Domestic Settlements
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA (ICBC)
New York, NY
01.2017 - 03.2023
- Led domestic and international trade settlement operations supporting hedge fund clients across equities, fixed income, and FX markets. Managed custody operations, trade capture, clearance, and settlement processing while maintaining compliance with SEC 15c3 regulations and internal controls. Developed automated reporting and reconciliation tools using Excel, Access, and SQL, improving trade accuracy and reducing manual processing time. Resolved complex reconciliation breaks across cash and position accounts using multiple clearing and custody platforms.
- Partnered with executing brokers, custodians, FCMs, and middle office providers to resolve settlement, corporate action, and cash discrepancies across global markets.
- Developed automated reconciliation and reporting tools using Excel, Access, SQL, and VBA to improve data accuracy and reduce manual processing.
- Supported data integrity initiatives with Technology, Risk, Compliance, and Audit teams to strengthen regulatory adherence.
- Maintained operational procedures, written workflows, and internal control documentation to support audit readiness.
- Championed process improvement and automation initiatives to reduce operational risk and increase processing efficiency.
- Participated in cross-functional projects supporting fund launches, account onboarding, and operational enhancements.
- Supported corporate action processing, trade fails management, and settlement investigations.
- Improved settlement workflows to reduce aged breaks and strengthen client service delivery.
- Cancelled and rebooked international trades settling across multiple foreign markets to correct trade booking errors.
- Reconciled cash and stock accounts held at custodian banks against firm general ledger accounts.
- Executed foreign exchange trades across multiple currencies and posted journals to adjust settlement-day cash balances.
- Communicated with clients regarding unmatched items and aging fails to ensure timely resolution.
- Assisted clients with cross-border settlements via Euroclear, Clearstream, and CDS.
- Input, validated, and updated SWIFT messages for settlement and cash movement transactions.
- Monitored and repaired rejected trades due to invalid or incomplete trade details.
- Coordinated with brokers to settle ACAT transfers and balance order trades.
- Processed DTC SPO charges for international balance order trades settling free of payment.
- Performed repo trade pair off for Japanese Government Bonds and initiated SWIFT cash payments.
- Monitored and reconciled SEG positions against client and firm accounts.
- Booked Fixed Income LCTBA trades for London-based clients.
- Processed KRW IPO transactions and allocations.
- Worked closely with clients, relationship managers, and internal and external partners to resolve complex operational issues.
Specialist, International Settlements
JP MORGAN CHASE
Newark, DE
02.2015 - 03.2016
- Managed daily cash and securities reconciliations for equity and fixed-income products, ensuring accuracy and compliance across multiple accounts and markets. Monitored and reported high-value trade fails and aged breaks to mitigate settlement and counterparty risk. Supported margin transfers and foreign draft deposits for international transactions, maintaining smooth and timely settlement operations.
- Enhanced reconciliation accuracy, rapidly clearing aged breaks and reducing operational and financial risk exposure by diligently monitoring international cash and securities activities and preemptively correcting discrepancies.
Senior Manager, International & Domestic Settlements
MORGAN STANLEY
Brooklyn, NY
06.2004 - 05.2012
- Directed team responsible for equity and fixed-income settlement operations across global markets, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance. Developed performance metrics dashboards and procedural documentation to enhance transparency, productivity, and adherence to internal controls. Oversaw ADR/ORD conversions and collaborated with stakeholders to resolve trade and reconciliation discrepancies.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance
Keller Graduate School of Management
06-2019
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Technical Management (Finance)
DeVry University
03-2016
Skills
- Trade Support, Settlement & Reconciliation
- Data Analysis
- Automation & Workflow Management
- Financial Systems Management
- System Configuration & Quality Assurance (QA) Testing
- Regulatory Compliance
- Process Improvements
- Client Relationship Management
- Cash Processing
Timeline
Vice President, Vendor Management
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA (ICBC)
03.2023 - 05.2025
Assistant Vice President, International & Domestic Settlements
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA (ICBC)
01.2017 - 03.2023
Specialist, International Settlements
JP MORGAN CHASE
02.2015 - 03.2016
Senior Manager, International & Domestic Settlements
MORGAN STANLEY
06.2004 - 05.2012
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Technical Management (Finance)
DeVry University
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance
Keller Graduate School of Management