Financial Analyst III

The Lansing Board of Water & Light has an opening for a Financial Analyst III in Lansing, MI.
Job Type: Full-Time Salary Range: $80,600 - $114,400 Position Summary: The Financial Analyst III performs various operational tasks required of the Finance & Planning department.
Duties include developing, coordinating complex analyses related to financial planning and analysis.
Including cash management, investment management, rate making, capital project financing, benchmarking, and policy development & bond compliance.
Essential Functions: Coordinate and Engage business units as a “business partner” to create detailed financial plans in support of the annual operating and capital budget & forecast process and to identify and mitigate forecasting variances.
Influence allocation of financial resources that result in maximized value for customers and stakeholders through detailed business cases and due diligence.
Prepare income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow annual budget, 6-year forecast, 20-year forecast and up-to-date projections.
Execute the budget & forecast process, making enhancements as necessary, including administration of budgeting, and forecasting software.
Support the strategic planning process and master planning initiatives.
Manage and coordinate monthly/quarterly reporting, validate accuracy, and assist team in creation of analyses and presentations for executive leadership and Board of Commissioners.
Understand and analyze monthly/quarterly financial and performance results (vs.
forecast, prior year, budget), clearly articulate themes and performance drivers, and drive efforts to understand root causes of variances to make recommendations that enhance business performance.
Provide data and analyses to support periodic (monthly, quarterly, year-end) financial and operational performance reviews with the business and finance teams, executive leadership, and the Board of Commissioner meetings.
Monitor company performance statistics; report trends, variances, and issues; and take appropriate action including proactively notifying business partners or leadership.
Gather data to track and review performance of strategic initiatives.
Ensure reporting systems and source data are accurate and reconciled, including supporting accounting with variance and transaction analysis.
Conduct ad-hoc financial analysis/special projects to assist management in understanding business performance.
Coordinate with business units to identify and mitigate forecasting variances.
All duties to support Cash & Investment Management, Bond Issuance & Compliance, Financial Planning and Analysis, Revenue Forecasting and Rate Making.
Expected to comply with all BWL policies and work rules.
Predictable and reliable attendance.
Other duties as required.
Job Specifications: Required: This position requires knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired through a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
This position requires a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of professional experience in finance, accounting, or related field.
Understanding of treasury management, budgeting, and/or utility rate making principles.
This position requires an understanding of balance sheets, income statements and capital structure.
Familiarity with accounting and financial software systems.
Ability to manipulate and manage large amounts of data.
Ability to update, maintain, reconcile, and trouble shoot spreadsheets of financial data.
Ability to work on multiple projects with minimal direction.
Proficient with the use of MS Office Suite, including Power BI, Outlook, Teams advanced Excel and PowerPoint.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Preferred: Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
SAP experience.
Experience with construction-based capital budgeting and/or project portfolio management.
Physical Requirements / Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for the majority of the working day.
The person in this position needs to move about inside the office environment.
Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.
Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen.
Must communicate frequently with other departments and employees both verbally and in writing.
May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/ below the knee level or reach above head.
On occasion, may need to use stairs.
Works in temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional work in outdoor weather conditions, and in industrial environments.
Why Should You Apply? Competitive salary, employee development, and opportunity for professional growth.
Robust time off benefits including vacation, free choice, sick leave, and paid holidays.
Comprehensive benefits package including medical, prescription, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, and employee assistance program.
Retirement programs including 401a (100% company paid up to 13% of base salary), 457 match up to $2,500 per year, retiree medical.
Voluntary benefits including supplemental and dependent life insurance, vision, flexible spending, AFLAC options, LifeLock anti-theft, long term care, tuition reimbursement, HOPE loan.
About BWL: The Board of Water & Light serves Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas with electricity, water, and steam.
Lansing's city charter vests the BWL with full and exclusive management of water, steam, and electric services for or the city.
The American Public Power Association has honored the Lansing Board of Water & Light as one of the country's best publicly owned utilities.
The Location: Lansing, MI provides the opportunity to enjoy all seasons of fun and beauty.
With the Grand River open for kayaking, lush golf courses, 17+ miles of trails for biking/hiking/running, Potter Park Zoo, and the sports, the arts and fine foods that comes from being near a major University, Michigan State University, there is a spot for everyone.
The area is a short drive from Lake Michigan’s shoreline where there is views of natural beauty, boating, fishing, and windsurfing.
THE BOARD OF WATER & LIGHT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER