Job Title: Financial Analyst
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Duration: 6 months
Pay Rate: $55/hr - $58/hr (DOE) 

Job Description: 
The Planet Group is seeking a highly analytical, detail-oriented, and proactive Financial Analyst 2 to join our finance team. This position offers an opportunity for a financial professional who enjoys working with complex data, developing innovative reporting solutions, and translating financial information into meaningful insights that support operational and financial decision-making. 
The Financial Analyst 2 will perform complex financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and account reconciliation activities for assigned SADR units and service centers. A key focus of this position will be analyzing financial trends, conducting budget-to-actual and variance analyses, and designing and maintaining financial reporting templates and analytical tools that improve the accuracy, consistency, and efficiency of financial reporting. 
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, advanced Excel proficiency, and the ability to independently organize and evaluate large financial data sets. This individual will be expected to look beyond the numbers to identify trends, investigate discrepancies, anticipate potential financial issues, and clearly communicate findings and recommendations to finance leadership and departmental stakeholders. 
The position reports to the Assistant Director of Finance within the Office of the Senior Associate Dean of Research

Duties include:

• Perform and design ad hoc analyses of large complex data sets: reconcile complex accounts. Identify and resolve complex issues which may span multiple areas.
• Construct and assemble data for budgeting and decision making; develop conclusions, and present high-level summary of recommendations. May develop annual budget for individual department/unit.
• Conduct analysis and resolution and recognize exceptions. Participate in developing solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes; maintain broader organizational perspective in decision making.
• Execute internal control programs established by management, research new regulations, and recommend and implement approved changes. May manage compliance program for area of responsibility and create complex compliance reports.
• Develop reports and presentations of complex financial data and metrics for management and third parties.
• Participate as a member of a project team; support new initiatives. Make decisions determining approach to managing and completing processes.
• Contribute to unit and organization strategy; assist in the development of change management plans and materials as needed.
• Develop and maintain desktop procedures and process documentation for area of responsibility.
• Define requirements, develop and implement complex test cases, perform system testing and analyze results.
• Participate in critical analysis of existing systems and processes and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Provide consulting advice to client group(s); serve as a resource on matters that require specific technical, financial, or subject matter expertise; support negotiations with external partners.

Requirements:

• Understanding of the operations of a research medical school, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, general and cost accounting theory, institutional accounting systems, Service Center operations, federal regulations, financial reporting, budget/forecast development, and fund accounting.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, especially in a large, heavily regulated environment, as well as significant organizational abilities, independence, and self-motivation.
• Knowledge in databases, data extraction methods and report presentation; knowledge of Oracle
• financial systems, and the University's iLab Solutions system, including its data structures and methods of report
• generation.
• Excellent written and oral communication, including policy writing and reporting of quantitative data.
• Ability to work well with people of varying levels of authority and educational backgrounds in multiple organizations and to elicit cooperation without direct authority in order to enable cooperative problem solving.
• Experience with research grant management and the financial aspects of sponsored projects.
• EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED): Bachelor's degree and four years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
• KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):
• Advanced proficiency in business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial systems; internet and computer literacy.
• Knowledge of GAAP.
• Strong communication skills, including ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences and client groups.
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to contribute to or lead part of a multi-functional team.