Expense Analyst II (Hybrid)

M Financial Group is a community of leaders comprising the best and brightest minds in our industry. By combining individuals' expertise and skill, M Financial Group has become a powerful force committed to advancing the interests of our industry, communities, and clients for over 40 years. M's solutions are rooted in the diverse expertise of our team, our collaborative approach to innovation and our comprehensive support.

We embrace a progressive, dynamic mindset for every role. M Financial Group provides a professional community that actively supports individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives who come together to build and support best-in-class solutions. If you're looking to be a part of a high performing, collaborative, and dedicated team, M Financial Group is in search of our next Expense Analyst II to join our team.

This position will collaborate with various department leads, project managers, senior management, and Accounting and Finance Team members to compile, develop, review, and analyze all components of the Company's budget and forecast. The ideal candidate will be successful in driving the ongoing forecasting and budgeting processes by meeting with department leads and analyzing trends within the business units and departments, identifying and effectively communicating variances, tracking general ledger and budget details, and updating forecast projections.

Key Responsibilities:

• In consultation with department leads, is responsible for developing, monitoring, analyzing, and communicating budget and forecast information
• Participate as a key member of the Accounting and Finance Team in planning and leading M Financial's annual budget process, including both the revenue and expense components and key business driver ratios. Assist in compiling the final budget and forecast information to present to the Finance Committee and M Financial Holdings Board of Directors for final approval
• Assist departments in preparing and administering their budgets and act as a liaison between the Accounting and Finance Team and all other departments regarding budget and forecast responsibilities
• Review weekly check run details to verify appropriate expense coding, build expense details into budget-to- actual and forecasting models, and identify any potential unbudgeted items of concern
• Assist with review of monthly department expense reports and provide Senior Accountant with pertinent expense accrual information that would be gathered through routine meetings with department leads and project managers
• Meet with department leads and project managers on a routine basis to review department and project expense reports. Provide periodic updates to the Leadership Team, as appropriate
• Proactively identify potential expense savings and present to management for possible reallocation to other budget areas
• Prepare analyses and updates for management to review forecasting and tracking of budget- to-actual expense details
• Prepare ad hoc requests for analysis of financial data
• Participate in ongoing initiatives to develop and implement tools for improving the forecasting and actual results reporting processes that support key financial and business metrics
• Perform an annual budget process review to ensure the entire budgeting and forecasting process is continually improving and becoming more efficient, effective, and user friendly
• Assist departments in the development of key performance indicators (KPIs) and benchmarking measurements
• Support other departmental and organizational projects and data requests as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field
• Well-developed computer skills with proficiencies in Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• 3 to 5 years of experience in the finance field, preferably with budget analysis or other financial analysis background
• Demonstrated ability to grow and assume higher level responsibilities over time
• Effective communication (both written and verbal) and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative, drive, orientation to goal accomplishment, attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to lead, manage, direct and provide guidance, support and instruction to departments and project teams
• Effective analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong focus on process improvement and developing efficiencies
• Ability to remain flexible and work with changing processes and priorities
• Ability to effectively work with multiple functional and cross-departmental teams
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with Accounting and Finance Team members, department leads, project managers and other M Financial Group team members

Job Conditions and Environment:

• Hybrid work environment offering a blend of virtual/work from home and onsite days designed to support flexibility
• Normal office environment/desk assignment
• Extensive use of PCs, computer terminal, display, keyboard, and mouse
• Extensive close work with documents, publications, databases, and spreadsheets

This position description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with this position. While this description is intended to accurately reflect the position's activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary.