Job Description
A Financial Planning Analyst (FP&A Analyst) helps organizations make strategic financial decisions by analyzing data, creating forecasts, building models (budgets, scenarios), and reporting on performance, essentially translating financial data into actionable insights to guide business growth, manage costs, and assess investments for both companies and individuals. Key duties involve budgeting, variance analysis, market research, financial modeling, and presenting detailed reports to management, requiring strong analytical skills with tools like Excel.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and long-term financial plans.
- Create complex models for scenarios, investments, and performance projections.
- Monitor financial performance, conduct variance analysis (actual vs. budget), and identify trends.
- Generate monthly/quarterly reports, dashboards, and presentations for leadership.
- Provide data-driven recommendations on profitability, cost-saving, and strategic initiatives.
- Gather, analyze, and maintain financial data and databases.
- Work with accounting, operations, and other departments to understand financial drivers.
Essential Skills & Qualifications
- Analytical & Math Skills: Strong ability to analyze large datasets, interpret trends, and build models.
- Technical Proficiency: Advanced Excel, financial planning software (ERP systems like Oracle, TM1), data visualization.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate numbers into business strategy.
- Communication: Presenting complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.