Finance Analyst / Business Analyst

LAPP Americas•Savage, MN

3d•$68,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for financial planning, forecasting, and process improvement within the company. The analyst will build and maintain financial forecasts, lead budgeting processes, analyze variances, and monitor key business metrics. They will also analyze current business processes to identify inefficiencies and lead improvement initiatives, recommending and implementing systems and tools to reduce manual work and improve accuracy. Additionally, the role involves supporting accounting functions such as month-end close, journal entries, and account reconciliations, ensuring financial records are accurate and compliant with company policy and GAAP.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Analytics.
Prior internship experience in Finance or Accounting.
Demonstrated experience building financial forecasts, budgets, and variance analyses.
Working knowledge of core accounting principles (GAAP and IFRS) and hands-on experience with routine accounting transactions.
Experience with data visualization or business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
Prior experience in a role that combined operational/process analysis with financial responsibilities.
Advanced Excel skills (financial modeling, complex formulas, pivot tables); experience with an ERP or accounting system (e.g., NetSuite, QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics).
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of identifying and implementing process improvements.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
High level of accuracy, discretion, and comfort handling sensitive financial information in a privately held company.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a small or mid-sized private company or family-owned business environment.
Familiarity with financial planning software (e.g., Adaptive Insights, Vena, Anaplan) or BI/reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).

Responsibilities

Build, maintain, and continuously improve financial forecasts covering revenue, expenses, headcount, and cash flow.
Lead or support the annual budgeting process and periodic re-forecasts in partnership with department leaders.
Analyze actual-vs.-budget and actual-vs.-forecast variances, identify drivers, and communicate findings to leadership and ownership.
Monitor key business and financial metrics, flagging risks and opportunities as they emerge.
Develop scenario models and sensitivity analyses to support strategic decisions (pricing, hiring, capital expenditures, new initiatives).
Prepare monthly and quarterly financial packages, dashboards, and board- or ownership-level reporting.
Analyze current business processes, workflows, and systems to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities to eliminate manual work and control gaps.
Lead or support process improvement initiatives from requirements gathering through implementation.
Recommend and help implement systems, tools, or automation (e.g., ERP enhancements, planning software, reporting tools) to reduce manual effort and improve accuracy.
Ensure process compliance with document retention requirements.
Partner with the accounting/finance team to incorporate AI-driven solutions into their processes and upgrade technology skillsets.
Document business requirements, process maps, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), including training team members.
Partner cross-functionally with operations, sales, and other departments to ensure reported data is accurate and timely.
Map current-state and future-state processes.
Assist with month-end and year-end close activities, including journal entries and account reconciliations.
Support accounts payable/receivable and general ledger maintenance as needed.
Help ensure financial records are accurate, complete, and maintained in accordance with company policy and GAAP.
Assist with preparation for audits, tax filings, or lender/investor reporting requirements as applicable.