Financial Analyst - Applied Research Associates, Inc

Applied Research Associates (ARA), Inc. has an immediate need for a Financial Analyst with a broad set of skills and experience who is proactive, adaptable and deadline driven to join our Integrated Missions Systems (IMS) sector located in Raleigh, NC. The selected candidate will work within the program management office (PMO) and will support technical project managers and clients in executing critical project functions. We are looking for someone who sees an opportunity in every challenge, can function well in a fast-paced team environment, and will drive efficiencies in the way we operate. Candidates should possess a sharp analytical mind, strong communication skills, multiple years of experience in project planning and financial analysis, a solid understanding of GSA Assisted Acquisition Services (AAS), and an ability to interface with government clients and external stakeholders.

What you’ll do as a Financial Analyst

• • Work with the PMO Integrated Performer Team (IPT) to execute high-visibility research and development programs, on-time and on-budget.
  • Work with project managers to propose technical direction plan (TDP) budgets, prepare spend plans, and complete deliverables. Build and update excel models that closely track budget allocations and incurred cost by performer.
  • Be the ‘go-to’ resource for technical project leads, enabling information flow with the PMO IPT and project stakeholders.
  • Work directly with technical project leads, project managers, subcontractors, external vendors, and PMO staff throughout the full acquisition life cycle, to effectively analyze and monitor project performance.
  • Track and report on key performance indicators; proactively analyze data and determine action items required to re-align project financial obligations with available funding.
  • Assemble spreadsheets, develop charts and narrative summaries that communicate project performance for program management reviews, progress reports, and client presentations.
  • Assist in creating TDP amendments, cost estimates, and subcontractor SOWs, using approved templates, and following established company guidelines
  • Work with the Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager to continually improve processes, develop templates and training to improve program efficiencies.

Financial Analyst Qualifications

• • U.S. citizenship is required, candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Current clearance is preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Finance, or Accounting with a minimum of 4 years of experience working in a financial analysis or project performance management role.
  • Experience in GSA Assisted Acquisition Services and legacy GSA FEDSIM program management processes, and an ability to communicate these processes to technical project leaders, subcontractors, and clients.
  • Experience managing and controlling project budgets using advanced Microsoft Excel modeling skills, demonstrated ability to extract meaning from large quantities of multi-source financial data.
  • Experience working in a collaborative team environment; ability to work well under tight deadlines and effectively interact with a wide range of personnel.
  • Interest in professional growth into a project or program management position and ability to develop skills and knowledge to communicate with ARA’s senior leadership, government clients, and funding customers about the company.
  • Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written language communication skills.

Company & Division Information

Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,276 employee owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice with what happens in the company. We are also very proud of our Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), whose purpose is to motivate, support, and encourage professional career development for women to maximize career and professional accomplishments.

To find out more about what the Integrated Mission Systems Sector has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/

Experience

• 4 year(s): Relevant Experience

Education

• Bachelors or better in Finance or related field

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)