Financial Analyst Lead

American Electric Power•New Albany, OH

1d•$116,255 - $177,503

About The Position

The Financial Analyst Lead prepares financial forecasts, variance analyses, regulatory filings, and ad hoc analyses of strategic opportunities. The role analyzes and makes recommendations on regulatory and general business strategy, develops and manages staff, and coordinates extensively across corporate finance, planning and budgeting, accounting and tax, transmission, regulatory, and operating companies. The position develops assumptions for financial forecasts with operating company and business segment personnel, uses corporate financial models to identify strategic issues and contingency plans, and performs monthly and quarterly budget-to-actual and year-over-year variance analysis. It also supports operating companies in understanding results and assists Financial Reporting with SEC reporting. The analyst prepares reports for executive management and the Board of Directors, identifies process improvements and opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancement, and builds and maintains sophisticated financial models, including pro forma income statements, scenario models, and sensitivity analyses. The role improves financial analysis processes through automation, consistency, accuracy, and efficiency, and turns complex financial and operational data into actionable insights. It requires deep utility finance and regulatory expertise, including knowledge of FERC formula rates and ratemaking, O&M budgeting, cost allocation, and the financial effects of operational and investment decisions. The successful candidate exercises independent judgment, challenges assumptions, solves complex problems, communicates findings effectively, and serves as an example, advisor, and mentor to departmental analysts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
At least 8 years of work experience in the energy and/or utility sector.
Effective leadership skills.
Presentation skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, UI Financial Model Programming, PeopleSoft, and Business Objects.
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and comfortably with all levels of the organization.
Strategic thinking, relationship building, adaptability and flexibility, customer focus, and planning and organizing skills.
Ability to work across functional boundaries and operating companies.

Nice To Haves

MBA, CPA, CMA, CIA, PE, CFP, or other professional certification.
Familiarity with AEP accounting.

Responsibilities

Initiate, formulate, and develop financial forecast assumptions with operating company and business segment personnel using corporate financial models.
Identify significant strategic issues and develop alternative or contingency plans.
Perform monthly and quarterly variance reporting and analysis of budget versus actual results and actual results versus prior-year results at consolidated or segment level.
Use variance analysis to improve future forecasts, help operating companies understand financial results, and assist Financial Reporting with SEC reporting.
Develop and manage staff where applicable, and serve as an example, advisor, and mentor to departmental analysts.
Prepare and present reports to executive management and the Board of Directors as assigned or required.
Identify and implement process improvements, cost savings, and revenue enhancement opportunities.
Develop, maintain, and enhance sophisticated financial models, including pro forma income statements, scenario modeling, and sensitivity analyses.
Improve financial analysis through greater automation, consistency, accuracy, and efficiency, translating complex financial and operational data into actionable business insights.
Apply utility finance and regulatory expertise, including FERC formula rates and ratemaking, O&M budgeting, cost allocation, and the financial impacts of operational and investment decisions.
Coordinate across corporate finance, corporate planning and budgeting, accounting and tax, transmission, regulatory, and operating companies.