Decision Support Analyst

General Overview

Functional Area:  FIN - Finance
Career Stream:  DEC - Decision Support
Role:  Analyst
SAP Short Name:  ANA
Job Title:  Decision Support Analyst
Job Code:  ANA-FIN-DEC
Job Level:  Band 07
Direct/Indirect Indicator:  Indirect

Summary

Develops and maintains complex financial information, plans and/or projections for a department or business group. Incumbents are fully qualified to execute job/role accountabilities working independently on most aspects of the job. Work is performed within established professional standards and practices. Tasks are moderately complex in nature where judgment is required to complete recurring assignments independently and to determine the best methods to follow to complete assignments. Sound decisions are required to achieve the divisions/departments operations, schedules, and/or performance goals. Works under general Supervision. Situations not covered by standard processes, procedures and methods are referred to manager or expert resource. May demonstrate work methods to new employees. Builds internal and external relationships as appropriate, with emphasis on those that facilitate the achievement of job/role accountabilities, such as relationships with key suppliers, customers and internal service. Takes independent action to gather ideas and gain consensus with cross-functional teams on process improvement recommendations. Present complex information integrating several scenarios. Ability to assist clients/user on vastly different issues. Ability to run a successful meeting (i.e. agenda, timetable, demonstrate good time management, conclusion, follow-up and minutes). Meets group needs, ensures appropriate resources are available and works to achieve team goals over individual goals. Evaluates alternatives based on pros/cons. Provides input on how to manage required changes. Leads by example and is accountable for own actions.

Detailed Description

Performs tasks such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Provides financial month-to-date and year-to-date information as well as expense details.
• May report on headcount by department including forecast and actual.
• Gathers and consolidates detailed information so that departments can better understand measures of financial performance.
• Activities may include validation of expenses, account coding, capital, and expense recovery for a particular customer or business unit.
• Analyzes records of past and present operations, trends and costs, estimated and realized revenue, etc., to determine financial performance.
• Compiles forecasts of future revenues, expenses and financial performance.
• Assists with the creation of the annual financial plan, capital plan, etc.
• Generates department or business unit budgets based on plans.
• Interprets budgets and underlying budget assumptions.
• Tracks performance according to plan and investigates variances.
• Completes special studies in the areas such of rates of return, depreciation, investment opportunities, investment performance, government regulations, etc., and prepares recommendations on policies or procedures to improve companys financial position.
• May participate as a member of a cross functional or customer team.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• Knowledge of computer applications such as WORD, Excel, PowerPoint and multiple business applications.
• Ability to design/create quires and understands what creates the output.
• Creates basic spreadsheet macros.
• Ability to design custom queries in job-related software.
• Understanding of the relationships between the various tools.
• General understanding of internal/external customer needs is required to make effective/informed decisions
• Analytical and statistical skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy and working under tight time deadlines.
• Ability to evaluate, prioritize and problem solve a variety of tasks to ensure their timely and accurate completion.
• Understands and can apply corporate accounting policies
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a wide variety of internal and external customers.
• Ability to recommend accounting process changes based on intimate knowledge of accounting processes, policies and procedures.
• Ability to direct others on accounting practices.
• Ability research accounting rules in both U.S. GAAP and GAAP of the relevant country.
• Ability to prepare a forecast for one element of the business (cost center, profit center, pricing forecast or key balance sheet component)
• Ability to bridge between actual, plan, forecast and bids, analyzing mix impacts and summarizing in management reports.
• Provides interpretation of results to users
• Understands the inter-relationships between departments and actively participate in cross-functional teams.

Physical Demands

• Duties of this position are performed in a normal office environment
• Duties may require extended periods of sitting and sustained visual concentration on a computer monitor or on numbers and other detailed data
• Repetitive manual movements are frequently required (e.g. data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, etc)
• Occasional overnight travel may be required

Typical Experience

• Two to Four years relevant experience

Typical Education

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Educational requirements may vary by geography.

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.