Job description
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Associate to join our finance team, supporting the Cost Controller. This role involves using data analytics to evaluate major cost elements and provide feedback to the cost controller to support on potential areas of cost optimization and understanding the ROI on major cost spends. This role would also be invested heavily in ensuring zero-based cost budgeting for the LoSs and IFS by conversing with different stakeholders and facilitating the cost controller to evaluate the justification for each cost. In the process, the individual would also work with reporting team to ensure pristine cost accounting and reporting. A substantial time would also be spent on identification of process improvement opportunities to ensure accurate and timely financial information is available for strategic decision-making.
The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in finance, excellent analytical skills, and a commitment to enhancing operational efficiency.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Trend analysis: Using past trends to identify the cost behavior of various critical cost components and highlight unique movements and patterns.
- Cost Analysis: Conduct comprehensive cost analysis for all LoSs and across different projects, products, and operations to enable the cost controller to identify areas for optimization opportunities.
- Best Practices Research: Research on the best industry practices for effective cost control measures to ensure adherence to budgetary constraints and financial goals. Also, continuously assess and improve cost analysis methodologies, tools, and processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
- Focus on zero-based Budgeting and Forecasting: Work on ground in overall budgeting and forecasting cycle discussions with different stakeholders, ensuring building up of a bottoms-up budget with complete visibility into their activity level planning.
- Financial Reporting: Prepare detailed and insightful financial reports for cost controller, presenting findings to support strategic decision-making.
- Initiative Tracking: Monitor and report on the benefits of cost control initiatives, tracking progress and outcomes to support ongoing financial improvements.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with various IFS departments and within Finance for cost analysis. Ability to read the data well and zoom in/out of the details are essential for being successful in this role.
- Internal Collaboration: Demonstrate leadership and effective team-playing abilities by collaborating internally with finance teams, particularly Statutory Reporting Team, Business Partnering Teams and Reporting CoE.
- Data Analytics: Work closely with the data analytics team to derive necessary analytics from data, supporting deeper financial insights and more informed decision-making.
Required Skills
- Bachelor’s or masters degree in finance, Accounting, or related field.
- Exhibit an exceptional ability to dissect complex datasets, swiftly identifying and rectifying discrepancies with a solutions-oriented approach.
- Possess stellar communication skills, facilitating seamless interactions with both internal and external stakeholders
- Demonstrate advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and understanding of emerging technologies ERP, BI Analytics, RPA, Machine Learning, Digitization, collaboration, etc.
- Show an inherent ability to juggle multiple priorities, swiftly adapting to evolving business needs within a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Collaborative spirit and proactive approach to improvements.
- Understanding of emerging technologies ERP, BI Analytics, RPA, Machine Learning, Digitization, collaboration, etc.
- Strong executive presence to work with senior leaders in the firm
- High integrity and openness combined with a commitment to good governance
- Energetic, highly motivated, with an enquiring mind and passion for excellence
