Financial Analyst

Roles and responsibilities

• Strategic Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting
• Prepare strategic plan, annual budget (zero based) and quarterly forecasts in co-ordination with relevant internal and external stakeholders along with action plan to deliver the Plan, Budget and Forecasts
• Upload Plan, Budget and Forecast into relevant systems
• Prepare presentations for Retail and Group Leadership
• MIS and Other financial Reporting
• Regular operational and financial performance reports to relevant stakeholders
• Comprehensive analysis of the variances with budget and prior year performances and suggest action plan for improvement
• Provide adhoc financial analysis to support business decisions.
• Enhance automation to improve efficiency
• Anaplan
• Upload of budgets and forecasts using Anaplan
• Developing reports and dashboards using Anaplan

What you will need:

• Finance degree with at least 2-3 years’ experience in a similar role
• CA/CMA/CFA/CPA (in process or completed) would be a plus
• Expert working knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint and good working knowledge of other MS office packages
• Experience with SAP ERP, BPC and/or Anaplan
• Prior work experience in budgeting, financial/management reporting, and taxation in Middle East and Southeast Asia preferably in retail sector
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, planning and organizing skills and good business acumen.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for presenting complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to create clear, concise reports and presentations for senior management or clients.
• Effective at summarizing key insights, trends, and recommendations from financial data.
• Attention to Detail
• High level of accuracy in working with numbers, ensuring there are no errors in financial calculations or reporting.
• Detail-oriented when reviewing financial statements or performing reconciliations.

Desired candidate profile

A financial analyst plays a crucial role in evaluating the financial health and performance of companies, projects, or investments. Here are the key skills that are typically required for a financial analyst:

1. Financial Modeling

• Proficiency in creating and using financial models to predict future financial performance.
• Understanding of key metrics such as EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, and ROI.
• Expertise in Excel, especially advanced functions like VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros, and creating detailed spreadsheets for forecasting and valuation.

2. Financial Reporting

• Ability to prepare and analyze financial statements, including the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), depending on the region.

3. Data Analysis & Interpretation

• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex financial data, identifying trends and patterns.
• Use of statistical tools and software (such as SQL, Python, or R) to handle and analyze large datasets.
• The ability to make data-driven decisions and present findings clearly.

4. Budgeting & Forecasting

• Expertise in preparing budgets and financial forecasts to guide business decisions.
• Ability to assess risks and provide recommendations for improving financial performance.
• Experience in variance analysis—comparing budgeted figures to actual performance to understand discrepancies.

5. Valuation Skills

• Understanding of various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow (DCF), comparable company analysis, and precedent transactions.
• Experience with equity research and investment analysis, including how to determine the value of stocks, bonds, and other assets.

6. Financial Software Proficiency

• Familiarity with financial management software such as SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks, or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Expertise in using financial tools like Bloomberg Terminal, FactSet, or Capital IQ for research and data gathering.

7. Risk Management

• Ability to assess and mitigate financial risks related to investment portfolios, corporate finance, or business operations.
• Experience with hedging techniques, insurance, and financial instruments to manage risk.