Sarah Deans & team, Citi
The buy side says: “She studies complex issues and explains them in language that’s easy to understand.”
For a second year running, Sarah Deans captures the crown for Citi; it’s the third time in five years that the firm has led the sector. The 39-year-old chartered accountant, who used to work solo, now heads up a two-person team that is headquartered in London. They produce research that is “both relevant and interesting,” according to one money manager. Another compliments the duo’s “spot-on” publications, namely their work on debt impairment. “Sovereign debt was clearly topical in 2011,” Deans says. “Because the accounting rules allow more than one way of accounting for a bond, this reduces the comparability of banks’ balance sheets and results — which is a problem for investors.” She says her team will continue publishing regular updates on pension exposure at various companies, because “pension deficits have increased due to lower asset returns and lower discount rates.” In addition, the accountants will focus on the impact of new regulations governing joint-venture accounting, scheduled to take effect next year, from the International Accounting Standards Board.
