Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Finance Planner

💰 $75,000 - $125,000

FinancePlanningAnalysisAccounting

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a data-driven storyteller with a passion for shaping a company's financial future? This role requires a highly analytical and strategic Finance Planner to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will be the financial compass of the organization, responsible for driving our budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes. You will collaborate across departments to translate operational activities into financial insights, providing the critical analysis that empowers senior leadership to make informed, strategic decisions. This is an exceptional opportunity for a finance professional who thrives on turning complex data into actionable strategies and wants to be at the heart of our company's growth and success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Financial Analyst
  • Staff Accountant
  • Business Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior Finance Planner
  • FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) Manager
  • Director of Finance

Lateral Moves:

  • Senior Financial Analyst
  • Business Controller
  • Treasury Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Drive the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes by collaborating with department heads to gather inputs, challenge assumptions, and ensure alignment with strategic corporate objectives.
  • Develop, maintain, and enhance complex financial models to support long-term strategic planning, scenario analysis, and "what-if" simulations for key business initiatives.
  • Prepare and present comprehensive monthly and quarterly financial reporting packages for senior leadership, highlighting key trends, performance against budget, and actionable insights.
  • Conduct in-depth variance analysis of financial results, identifying the root causes of deviations from forecasts and budgets and clearly articulating the business drivers.
  • Partner with senior leadership and business unit managers to serve as a dedicated finance business partner, providing financial guidance and support for their operational decisions.
  • Analyze current and past trends in key performance indicators (KPIs) including all areas of revenue, cost of sales, expenses, and capital expenditures to inform forecasting.
  • Monitor ongoing business performance and proactively identify potential financial risks and opportunities, providing recommendations to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities.
  • Support the corporate strategic planning process by providing detailed long-range financial projections and analyses for new ventures, products, or market expansions.
  • Improve the company's financial status by analyzing results, monitoring variances, identifying trends, and recommending actions to management.
  • Develop and maintain sophisticated financial dashboards and automated reports using BI tools to provide real-time visibility into financial performance for stakeholders.
  • Provide robust analytical support and financial modeling for capital expenditure requests and other major investment decisions, evaluating ROI and strategic fit.
  • Evaluate profit and cost efficiencies in various areas of the organization and suggest improvements to enhance profitability and resource allocation.
  • Participate actively in the month-end and quarter-end close processes in partnership with the accounting team, focusing on accruals, variance explanations, and reporting accuracy.
  • Create timely and insightful ad-hoc financial analyses, reports, and models as requested by executive management to support emergent business questions.
  • Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and consistency of financial data across ERP systems, planning software, and reporting outputs.
  • Communicate complex financial insights and recommendations clearly and concisely to non-finance stakeholders, fostering a culture of financial literacy.
  • Assist in the development of compelling corporate presentations for the Board of Directors, investors, and other external stakeholders.
  • Continuously seek to streamline and automate financial planning and reporting processes to drive efficiency, reduce manual work, and improve turnaround times.
  • Perform market research, data mining, and business intelligence activities to identify competitive trends, industry benchmarks, and macroeconomic factors impacting the business.
  • Manage and analyze the company's cash flow statement, providing regular forecasts to ensure optimal liquidity and support strategic investment strategies.
  • Collaborate closely with the accounting team to ensure that all financial reporting and planning activities align with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or IFRS standards.
  • Support external and internal audit requirements by providing necessary documentation, explanations, and detailed financial analysis.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the implementation, maintenance, and optimization of financial planning software and systems (e.g., Anaplan, Hyperion, Adaptive Insights).
  • Assist in training and mentoring business partners on financial processes, budgeting tools, and how to interpret financial reports.
  • Contribute to cross-functional special projects and initiatives aimed at driving business growth, operational efficiency, and overall profitability.
  • Prepare competitive analysis and benchmarking studies against industry peers to provide context for company performance and identify areas for improvement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Financial Modeling
  • Expert Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, Index/Match, Power Query, Macros)
  • Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Methodologies
  • Budgeting and Forecasting Techniques
  • In-depth Variance Analysis
  • Data Visualization Tools (Tableau, Power BI, Looker)
  • Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
  • Strong Knowledge of GAAP / IFRS
  • SQL for data extraction and analysis
  • Proficiency with Corporate Performance Management (CPM) software (e.g., Anaplan, Hyperion, Adaptive Insights)
  • Strong understanding of the three financial statements (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows)

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
  • Strong Business Acumen and Commercial Awareness
  • Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills
  • High Attention to Detail and Accuracy
  • Collaborative Mindset and Strong Interpersonal Skills
  • Strategic and Critical Thinking
  • Effective Time Management and Prioritization
  • Adaptability and Ability to Thrive in a Fast-Paced Environment

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or relevant professional certification (CFA, CPA).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of progressive experience in a finance-related role.

Preferred: Direct experience within a corporate FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) team or in a similar role with a heavy emphasis on budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling is highly preferred.

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