Financial Analyst
Job description
About the role
This role provides financial analysis to support business unit decisions and FP&A planning cycles. The analyst partners with Finance Business Partners to improve budgeting, forecasting, and reporting accuracy.
Analysts turn data into clear answers. They pull numbers, clean data, build dashboards, and explain what changed and why. The work supports decisions across sales, product, marketing, and operations. Strong analysts pair technical skill with business curiosity. Analysts are the bridge between data and decisions. Most analysts own recurring reports and are expected to improve them over time.
Key facts
What you'll do
The analyst supplies analysis that guides business unit decisions in partnership with Finance Business Partners.
Month-end close support is provided and financial statements are reviewed to ensure accuracy and correctness.
Data research, gathering, and interpretation are conducted to produce financial reporting insights.
Revenue and expense fluctuations against projections are analyzed and explained clearly.
Business trend insights are delivered to internal stakeholders in a clear manner.
Finance task and process streamlining solutions are developed by the analyst.
Other duties as assigned are completed as needed.
Requirements
A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Data Analytics, Economics, or related fields is required.
The candidate must have 1-3 years of financial analysis experience or comparable work experience.
The candidate manages multiple projects in a fast-paced environment to meet stated deadlines.
Communication and interpersonal skills are used to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders both in person and virtually.
Customer service skills are demonstrated consistently in all interactions.
Projects are completed independently and effectively within team environments.
Data is gathered accurately and thoroughly using strong data skills.
Analysis is supported with intermediate to advanced Excel skills, including PowerPivot/DAX, plus knowledge of Oracle EPM and familiarity with BI software such as Tableau or PowerBI.
Practical notes
US citizenship or authorization to work in the US without sponsorship for this role is required.
Typical interview steps
Analyst interviews often include a SQL or spreadsheet exercise, a case question, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to analyze a dataset, define a metric, or estimate an outcome. Presenting findings clearly is tested as often as the analysis itself. Interviewers often test speed and clarity with a timed exercise. Explaining what the numbers mean, not just what they are, is the differentiator.
Good to know
Finance professionals use data tools to turn complex numbers into clear business guidance.
Spreadsheet models and dashboards built in Excel, PowerBI, and similar platforms support daily decisions.
Analytical roles in media companies track performance, compare results to plans, and highlight operational trends.
Clear communication with finance and business partners helps align strategy and execution.
Tools for planning, reporting, and analysis include ERP, FP&A platforms, and business intelligence applications.
Questions to ask
Useful questions for the interview: what a typical week looks like, how work is assigned, what tools the team uses, and how feedback works. Asking how the role has changed recently and what the team wishes it had known when joining is also reasonable. Questions about the manager's priorities are especially valued.
Career growth
Analyst careers can grow into senior analyst, analytics manager, or data science roles. Some analysts move into product or business operations. Deeper technical skills or broader business ownership are the two main paths. Analyst roles are a common on-ramp into product, marketing, or operations leadership. Building deep domain knowledge alongside analytics is the fastest path.