Junior Project Financial Analyst - Remote (WFH)

About the position

The Junior Project Financial Analyst plays a crucial role in supporting project managers and the financial team by providing financial leadership and transparency. This position is focused on driving a performance-based culture within projects, ensuring effective financial management and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Control project financial performance and maintain budgets and forecasts in the ERP system.
• Perform financial analysis and provide key financial reports to the project team in a timely manner.
• Manage revenue recognition and support customer change management in financial terms.
• Validate profitability control in alignment with thresholds defined by the Cognitive Project Sponsor.
• Review and approve project invoice requests submitted by Project Management according to customer purchase orders.
• Schedule and lead activities to produce an integrated project forecast and Estimate at Completion (EAC) report.
• Evaluate the accuracy of the project forecast by assessing actual costs and physical project progress.
• Present the EAC to Cognitive Management, including total revenues, costs, project margins, invoicing, payments, cash flow, risks, opportunities, and contingencies.
• Prepare and present project forecasts and spend reports to the customer.
• Ensure high integrity and transparency in performance reporting and data management.
• Prepare project pricing calculations and documentation.
• Establish and maintain project budgets and overall cost control.
• Develop and maintain project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) including revenue and billing formulas.
• Monitor and maintain contract funding and modification reconciliation.
• Review and approve all major project expenditures.
• Drive project profitability and other performance metrics.
• Ensure timely and accurate project billings (Cost Plus, T&M, and FFP).
• Responsible for invoice tracking, reconciliation, and minimizing project unbilled balances.
• Monitor and work to maximize project cash flow.
• Prepare risk and opportunity assessments and develop plans to mitigate risks.
• Prepare ad hoc project reporting and analysis as required.
• Prepare detailed monthly project rolling forecasts.
• Participate in monthly project review meetings.
• Assist with contract close-out and incurred cost submissions.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Ensure project accounting compliance with Cognitive and Government accounting standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business preferred.
• 2 years of experience in a related field.
• Experience in developing project pricing models and performing scenario analysis.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize work and multitask effectively.
• Ability to work well in both team settings and independently.
• Capable of working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Effective communication skills with all levels of management, both orally and in writing.
• Advanced MS Excel skills with the ability to design complex models.
• Good understanding of Government contracts, FAR, and CAS.
• Working knowledge of project accounting and GAAP principles.