Senior Budget and Financial Business Analyst

Location: Cary, NC (onsite presence required)

Job Accountability/Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:

• Supports assigned business units and budget owners with budget and forecast development (including revenue, operating expenses, capital planning, product line profitability, and headcount)
• Supports assigned business units and budget owners with other annual planning processes (including long range planning, allocations, product pricing, and portfolio planning)
• Provides financial reporting and analysis for assigned business units
• Assists Accounting with month-end closing procedures including reclassification of journal entries as needed, comprehensive variance analysis and preparation of monthly / quarterly financial reporting packages
• Conducts monthly financial performance review meetings with assigned business units and budget owners
• Explains business performance in plain words so that business partners of all skill and experience levels understand results and opportunities to optimize revenue and/or manage spending
• Prepares materials for Executive Team meetings and Board of Directors meetings
• Responsible for various forms of ad hoc analysis
• Develops, manages and improves complex financial planning processes, tools and models
•  Develops expertise in all financial planning tools and software Educates assigned business units and budget owners on Railinc’s financial processes, deliverables and requirements

Key Measures:

• Successful completion of planning processes
• Deadlines are met
• Accuracy of analysis & reporting
• Feedback from Business Units and Budget Owners

Non-Essential Functions:

• Analyzes new business cases to determine economic feasibility and financial impact
• Works with business units to validate business case realization for previous year’s investments
•  Other tasks as assigned

Key Measures:

•  Feedback from colleagues and management

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Minimum Requirements/Competencies:

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced Excel skills (proficient with LOOKUPS, pivot tables, complex if/then statements, etc. Macro writing a plus)
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and internal controls
• Intermediate to advanced analytical and financial modeling skills (Data mining, data management, scenario modeling, reporting)
• Intermediate Microsoft Office productivity software skills (particularly Word & Outlook)
• Strong documentation skills (workpapers, processes, controls, variance explanations, etc.)
• Strong organizational and time management skills with a history of recognizing priorities and consistently meeting deadlines
• Strong work ethic; takes ownership and demonstrates initiative in solving problems

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Able to cultivate strong relationships and be seen as a valued business partner
• Able to work independently with general direction and limited supervision
• Able to explain financial results to non-financial employees
• Able to work and communicate effectively and professionally with all levels in an organization
• Able to adapt quickly to workplace changes (delays, accelerated deadlines, unexpected events, redistribution of assignments, etc.)
• Able to gather and analyze information skillfully and efficiently
• Able to initiate, investigate and identify process improvements
• Able to recognize, resolve and escalate issues, problems or conflicts appropriately
• Able to give feedback skillfully and receive feedback without defensiveness
• Able to achieve results in a collaborative, team environment
• Able to exercise judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action
•  Able to work overtime as needed

Education, Experience, Certification/Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance/accounting, economics, or business discipline with major/concentration in accounting is required. MBA or MAC preferred.
• CPA or CPA Candidate preferred
• 4+ years of experience in Financial Planning & Analysis or equivalent experience supporting business units, preparing financial models and developing analytics
• Experience with NetSuite Financials or similar ERP/General Ledger software
• Experience with Workday Adaptive or similar budget planning software
• Experience with financial statement reporting and analysis
• Exposure to cost allocations and standard labor rates
•  Exposure to project planning, budgeting, and business case development

Values:

• Collaboration: We collaborate with our teams and our customers to get the job done, respecting individual ideas and contributions and moving forward in pursuit of shared goals.
• Results: We deliver on our promises to create value for the freight rail industry through talented people, good ideas, business leadership and great technology.
• Service: We serve the changing needs of our customers and our industry to enhance the value they bring to our community, the environment and our economy.

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work: Assignment involves sitting at workstation (desk) most of the time (up to 8 hours) with only occasional walking and/or standing
• Keyboarding: Primarily using fingers for typing
• Talking: Expressing or communicating verbally through use of spoken words (accurately conveying detailed or important spoken instructions to others)
• Hearing: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discriminations sound.
• Visual: Through close visual acuity, required to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading (with or without correction).
• Environment: Work is performed within an office setting and therefore there is no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions (i.e., extreme heat, cold, noise, etc.).

Disclaimer:

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  The company reserves the right to change, modify and/or delete aspects of this position as needed at any time.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected status.