Lead Financial Planning Analyst

Ameritas•Lincoln, NE

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a detail-oriented and strategic Lead Financial Analyst to join our Financial Planning & Analysis Expense Team. This role will primarily focus on the Information Technology department expenses and serve as a critical business partner to IT leadership. They will drive the annual budget process, identify operational efficiencies, and perform analysis to lead data-driven decision-making. The ideal candidate has strong experience with accounting, financial planning, and modeling functions utilizing Oracle, Excel, and Power BI. They will use their analytical and communication skills to drive continuous improvement within the IT cost structures. This role can be hybrid (Lincoln, NE) or remote depending on proximity to an office location.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or related field.
3-5 years of experience in FP&A, financial operations, or business finance.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive cross-functional alignment.
Experience leading financial planning processes and monthly expense reviews.
Experience handling invoice coding, accrual process, and review of software contacts.
Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
High attention to detail with strong problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
Advanced Excel and Power BI skills; familiarity with data analysis, dashboard creation and visualization best practices.

Nice To Haves

CPA, CFA, or MBA is a plus.
Experience supporting IT or technology functions.
Expertise in IT software licensing models and technology cost optimization.
Experience within an insurance or financial services organization.
Hands-on experience with Oracle Financials (Hyperion SmartView), Oracle ERP/EPB, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

Own the IT financial planning calendar and processes, ensuring alignment of staffing, software and consulting within the support requirements for lines of business.
Perform monthly variance analysis of actuals vs. budget/forecast; identify drivers and recommend corrective actions to managers.
Partner with IT leadership to develop annual budgets, forecasts, and multi -year financial plans aligned with strategic objectives.
Monitor and track IT spend, including capital expenditures (CapEx), operational expenditures (OpEx), and project-related costs.
Develop and maintain IT cost allocation methodologies and financial governance frameworks.
Analyze financial impact of IT initiatives and system implementations with a heavy emphasis on software expenditures.
Support IT leadership and managers including purchase order tracking, invoice validation/coding, accruals, and spend analysis.
Coordinate with procurement and accounts payable teams to ensure timely processing and reconciliation of expenses.
Maintain accurate financial records and documentation in accordance with internal controls and audit requirements.
Lead monthly reviews of software and consulting related invoices to validate usage, detect anomalies, and identify optimization opportunities.
Conduct complex financial reviews of cloud spend, software licensing, and third-party service agreements.
Design and deliver executive-level dashboards and reporting that drive decision-making for CIO, CFO, and senior leadership utilizing a combination of Oracle, Excel, and Power BI.
Provide actionable insights and recommendations to improve IT cost efficiency and optimize resource allocation including review of vendor contracts and cloud-based tools.
Design and maintain software spend tracking models, including forecasting, renewal schedules, and user/license counts.
Support financial models related to strategic initiatives, cost modeling and outsourcing scenarios including total cost of ownership (TCO) and return on investment (ROI).