Financial Analyst

The not-for-profit Monterey Bay Aquarium opened in 1984, and has earned a reputation for being among the world's finest. Located on Monterey's historic Cannery Row and featuring exhibitions that focus on Monterey Bay's diverse habitats and wildlife, it attracts between 1.7 and 2.4 million visitors each year.

The institution's mission is to inspire conservation of the oceans, both through exhibits and through conservation research and advocacy in such areas as sea otters, open-ocean fishes research, marine protected areas, fisheries health and others. More than 80,000 schoolchildren take advantage of the aquarium's free education programs and tours every year.

Position Overview:

Responsible for the analysis of complex financial data and the creation of monthly reports to support effective management and decision-making across the organization.  Conducts studies to improve the operational and financial effectiveness of the organization.  Extracts financial data from various accounting and information systems.  Performs moderately complex statistical, cost and financial analysis of financial reports and data and prepares subsequent narrative analysis for management.  The position will provide financial analysis support to the Assistant Controller 

Responsibilities: 

• Perform variance analyses between budgeted and actual results and review analyses with budget stakeholders.
• Forecast and monitor cash positions. 
• Assist in the management and monitoring of expenditures associated with contracts and grant awards.
• Assist the Controller in the preparation of reports to lenders and the preparation of internal-use financial reports. 
• Assist the Controller and Director of Finance in the preparation of annual budget and review of departmental budget data.
• Prepare financial analyses of project costs and present findings in summary reports for executives, management and other employees and stakeholders. 
• Maintain general ledger account segments.
• Provide schedules and perform account analyses to support amounts reported in annual audit report. 
• Monitor usage of private and public grants and assist the Development Department in the preparation of reports to grantors.
• Develop new procedures to improve timeliness and accuracy of data and information flow to all areas of the organization. 
• Collect and study data to determine costs of business activities.  May recommend budget adjustments and other cost improvement measures. 
• Analyzes financial data and extracts and define relevant information; interpret data for the purpose of determining past financial performance and/or to project a financial probability.
• Review costs and perform cost benefit analysis related to projects and/or programs. 
• Perform moderately complex statistical, cost, and financial analysis of data reported in the various financial systems.
• Develop financial reports for forecasting, trending and result analysis.
• Record, classify and summarize financial transactions and events in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 
• Interpret financial transactions and events for users who must make economic or business decisions.
• Apply a working knowledge of applicable laws and regulations; verify documents for completeness and compliance with government and private agencies.
• Use various software applications, such as spreadsheets, relational databases, statistical packages and graphics packages to assemble, manipulate and/or format data and/or reports.

Scope of Responsibility:

Know the formal and informal departmental goals, standards, policies and procedures, which may include some familiarity of other departments.  Sensitive to the interrelationship of both people and functions within the department.

Decision Making:

On a regular and continuous basis exercise administrative judgment and assume responsibility for decisions, consequences and results have an impact on people, costs and/or quality of service within the functional area.

Authority: Assist in directing activities of staff or a function.

Communication: Exchange non-routine information using tact and persuasion as appropriate; requires good oral and written communication skills.

Qualifications:

• Proficient in the application of accounting concepts pertinent to public and private grant funding.
• Proficient in preparing and managing cash balance forecasts.
• Experience performing monthly financial closing.
• Experience working with external auditors.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong operational and analytical background.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Must be a problem solver, a team player and possess the ability to thrive in a fast-paced organization where situations change daily.
• Experience with Great Plains or similar financial software products.
• Proficient in Microsoft's Office Suite and in particular Excel and PowerPoint. 

Required Knowledge/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, related field or equivalent experience. 
• Five years related financial experience required.  Additional education may be substituted for some experience. 
• Proficient in software applications, databases, spreadsheets and/or word processing required. 

To Apply:

Please email a cover letter, and resume. No attachments please.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Attn: Human Resources
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940

EOE/Committed to Diversity