Financial Analyst Sample Job Description
Analyzes financial data by collecting, monitoring and creating financial models for decision support. Improves financial status by analyzing results; monitoring variances; identifying trends; recommending actions to management.
Summary
Researches and analyzes costs to provide information and insights about expenses and opportunities to improve profitability and margins. Works with the Controller in the areas of balance sheet variance analysis, supply reporting, headcount reporting, purchase price variances, business planning and forecasting, establishment of activity based cost standards, transfer price changes, inventory management, cycle counting cost of goods sold and more. The Cost Analyst will spend a significant amount of time on the production floor working with production employees and management in order to be able to analyze and understand processes, efficiencies, variances etc.
Job Results, Essential Functions & Measures of Success
Drivers of Profit & Loss Identified |
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Measures of Success
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Opportunities for Improvement are Identified |
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Essential Functions
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Measures of Success
Receiver's of Information Say:
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Reconciliations & Reports |
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Measures of Success
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Critical Success Factors
Analytical
Sorts through myriad information sources and focus on the most relevant aspects of the data. Identifies key facts in a range of data. Notices when data appear wrong or incomplete, or need verification. Distinguishes information that is not pertinent to a decision or solution. Uses financial analysis to evaluate and create strategic choices and options. Refrains from "jumping to conclusions" based on no, or minimal, evidence; takes time to collect facts before decision-making.
Influence
Takes action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units or organization to help achieve business goals. Composes and delivers logical and persuasive recommendations, proposals for plans, or programs to decision makers in a manner which facilitates the buy-in needed for successful implementation.
Verbal & Written Communication
Effectively transfers thoughts and express ideas using speech, listening skills and writing skills to influence others or gain their support.
Position Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Accounting with three years of cost accounting and financial analysis in a manufacturing environment and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience. SAP skills in inventory costing/variance analysis a must.
Computer Skills
- Basic Outlook skills as evidenced by creating and sending messages, working with address books, message handling, creating and using personal folders, scheduling appointments, working with meeting requests and managing tasks.
- Intermediate Microsoft Word skills as evidenced by the ability to produce basic business letters and simple tables and charts; as well as check spelling, set tabs, change page orientation, sort, save, open and organize electronic files; as well as create moderately complex documents containing tables and graphs, and ability to mail merge documents, apply page setup functions (margins, page numbers, footers, headers), create an index and/or table of contents, use search & replace, print labels and envelopes.
- Advanced Excel skills as evidenced by the ability to use workbooks, create simple formulas, insert and delete data, create and edit charts, filter and sort lists, and format data, link data, create and edit charts, change page orientation, add headers and footers, filter and sort lists, format data, insert rows, enter and sort data and produce graphs and charts; as well as the ability to enter and edit complex formulas, filter lists, sort ranges, create and run macros, and use data analysis tools (pivot tables, scenarios, etc.)
