Financial Analyst

Company: Confidential Company Location: Houston, TX (On-site) Employment Type: Full-Time Seniority Level: Entry Level / Early Career Job Summary A leading financial services organization in Houston is seeking a Financial Analyst to support financial planning, reporting, and analytical functions within a fast-paced corporate finance environment. This position plays a key role in driving data-informed decision-making, improving financial reporting accuracy, and strengthening budgeting and forecasting processes across the organization. The role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals seeking hands-on experience in a structured, high-performance finance setting — with direct exposure to budgeting, forecasting, and executive-level reporting. Key Responsibilities Financial Planning & Forecasting
Support the development of annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and long-range financial plans
Build and maintain financial models including scenario analysis and sensitivity testing
Assist in translating business assumptions into quantitative projections for leadership review
Monitor budget-to-actual performance and flag variances with supporting commentary
Participate in continuous improvement of forecasting accuracy and planning processes Reporting & Variance Analysis
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow summaries
Conduct detailed variance analysis comparing actuals vs. budget vs. prior period
Identify trends, anomalies, and drivers behind financial performance
Ensure all reports are accurate, timely, and aligned with internal reporting standards
Support documentation of reporting procedures and version-controlled workpapers Financial Close Support
Collaborate with the accounting team during month-end and quarter-end close cycles
Assist in journal entry preparation, accrual calculations, and account reconciliations
Help resolve discrepancies and ensure completeness of close checklists
Maintain organized, audit-ready financial records and supporting documentation
Ensure all close activities meet internal deadlines and compliance requirements Data Analysis & Dashboards
Analyze financial and operational data to identify cost-saving and efficiency opportunities
Develop and maintain dashboards and tracking tools for KPIs and financial performance metrics
Prepare clear, concise summary reports for finance and business leadership
Support financial impact assessments related to operational decisions and new initiatives
Assist in automating recurring reports to improve team productivity Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with accounting, operations, HR, and business unit teams on financial matters
Participate in cross-functional planning discussions and business reviews
Support mentoring and training efforts related to financial tools and best practices
Communicate financial findings clearly and professionally within technical and non-technical teams Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related quantitative field
Master's degree from a US-accredited university in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Data Analytics, or a related field — required
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
Ability to interpret financial statements, reports, and business data
Solid understanding of core finance and accounting principles
Strong written and verbal communication skills Preferred Skills Finance & Accounting Knowledge
Exposure to corporate finance, FP&A, investment banking, audit, or management consulting environments
Familiarity with US GAAP principles and financial statement interpretation (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)
Understanding of financial ratios, valuation methods (DCF, comparable company analysis), and capital budgeting techniques
Knowledge of SOX compliance, internal controls, or regulatory reporting frameworks
Awareness of financial markets, trading principles, and macroeconomic indicators Analytical & Modeling Skills
Experience building 3-statement financial models, sensitivity analyses, and scenario planning tools
Ability to work with large datasets, identify patterns, and derive actionable business insights
Familiarity with statistical analysis, regression modeling, or quantitative research methods
Exposure to cost-benefit analysis, ROI evaluation, and investment appraisal techniques
Experience supporting or leading variance analysis and budget-to-actual reporting cycles Tools & Technology
Advanced Microsoft Excel — Power Query, Power Pivot, dynamic arrays, VLookups, and advanced charting
SQL — ability to write queries, join tables, and extract financial data from relational databases
Power BI or Tableau — experience designing and publishing live financial dashboards and KPI trackers
Python or R — exposure to data automation, financial modeling scripts, or analytics workflows
ERP platforms such as SAP, Oracle Financials, NetSuite, or Workday — familiarity preferred
Bloomberg Terminal or FactSet — exposure preferred for candidates with investment or markets background
Microsoft PowerPoint — ability to build clean, executive-ready presentations that translate data into narrative Process & Operations
Experience supporting month-end or quarter-end close processes including accruals and reconciliations
Familiarity with budgeting cycles — from initial submissions through consolidation and final approval
Exposure to audit preparation, workpaper organization, and compliance documentation
Understanding of cost management, headcount planning, or departmental spend tracking
Experience developing or improving recurring reporting templates and financial tracking tools Soft Skills & Professional Competencies
Exceptional attention to detail — ability to self-review work before submission and catch errors proactively
Strong written and verbal communication — able to present financial findings clearly to both finance and non-finance audiences
Ability to manage multiple deliverables across different business units under tight deadlines
Comfort working in ambiguous environments where data may be incomplete or assumptions need to be validated
Collaborative mindset — experience working cross-functionally with operations, HR, accounting, or strategy teams
Intellectual curiosity and a proactive approach to identifying process improvement opportunities Certifications (Preffered)
CFA Level 1 candidate or passed
Progress toward CPA licensure
Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) certification
Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) certificate
Six Sigma or Lean fundamentals Eligibility Requirements
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States (OPT and STEM OPT accepted)
Must be available to work fully on-site in Houston, TX
Graduating May 2025 or December 2025 only
Minimum 2 years of relevant experience required — internships and co-ops count