Senior Financial Analyst

About Ascent

At Ascent, we solve supply chain challenges for thousands of customers worldwide. With $2 billion in revenue and a dedicated team of 1,000+ industry experts in 21 locations across North America, we are a recognized supplier of the year for multiple Fortune 500 companies as well as a partner to thousands of small and medium sized businesses. Our global reach, deep knowledge and innovative technology platform, PEAK, uniquely positions our team to flawlessly execute in delivering goods worldwide for all modes. Our #1 market share in the demanding domestic ground and air expedite market has provided us with the foundation to handle even the most complex logistics challenges. Our offerings include truckload, less-than-truckload, global forwarding, air charter, specialized and expedite solutions. We move over 250,000 shipments annually through our competitive freight marketplace.

Our Purpose

We elevate the world of logistics through passion and innovation.

Our Mission

We want to do more things and provide more solutions for more customers in more places around the globe with lower operating risk and flawless execution.

What You'll Do

The position of Senior Financial Analyst reports directly to the Finance Director and is part of the Financial Planning and Analysis team. It is located at the Belleville, MI corporate office, and may work under a hybrid on-premises and remote schedule as approved by management.

The Senior Financial Analyst is the primary FP&A resource for the Ascent On-Demand segment supporting the Charter Management, USA Jet and USA Jet Power business lines. The Senior Financial Analyst performs financial planning and forecasting, develops and maintains financial models and participates in other programs and ad hoc reporting projects. We seek someone who has a strong desire to make an impact, takes pride in their work product, has a service-oriented and analytical mindset and who approaches projects with a focus on innovation, process efficiency and data-driven solutions.

• Work collaboratively with business leaders to prepare an annual financial plan, and to maintain a rolling financial forecast
• Compare and analyze monthly financial results to the annual plan, rolling forecast, and historic periods, identifying and documenting the key business drivers of variances in the Monthly Operating Review (MOR) deliverable
• Support the strategic initiative to provide internal business partners with automated dashboards that monitor key financial and operational performance indicators (KPIs)
• Develop, maintain and periodically update various financial models, including but not limited to, the following:
  • Sales model(s) that measures and forecasts revenue by customer and business line, and that leverages both historic sales trends and external macroeconomic indicators
  • Variable cost model(s) that measures and forecasts business line costs, including direct labor, and incorporates relevant cost driver analysis, such as labor productivity metrics and other cost variables that correlate with sales volumes
  • Business line capacity model(s) that provides insights into the current state of operational capacity and expansion scenarios
  • Fixed cost model(s) that track indirect and SG&A costs such as indirect labor, fixed operating costs and travel spend
  • Customer profitability model that tracks the customer contribution margin, and incorporates cost of transportation and direct labor
  • Commissions model maintained and reported monthly and paid out quarterly for each sales representative having customer accounts with activity in the segment
• Collaborate with business partners to measure and forecast the incremental gross profit from various projects for Ascent's Value Creation Planning (VCP) program
• Assist with the evaluation of investment requests by performing discounted cash flow projections, return on investment and payback period analysis
• Prepare ad-hoc analysis and reporting and assist with special projects that support strategic decision-making
• Become proficient in all relevant financial systems, policies and procedures

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or similar degree
• 3 years or more of work experience in financial planning and analysis, preferably in the logistics industry
• Working knowledge of financial statement concepts and GAAP
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, preferably Great Plains, PowerBI, Power Query, Power Automate, Teams, Microsoft Office
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Periodic travel may be required up to 10%

Ascent's Competitive Benefits

• 401(k) and employer matching
• Life Insurance
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Wellness Program
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Savings Account (HSA)