Financial Planning and Analysis Specialist

LHH; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company is seeking a Financial Planning and Analysis Specialist in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The role focuses on performance reporting, budget variance analysis, and supporting decision-making processes across the business. The ideal candidate will hold a finance or accounting degree and have experience in variance analysis or retail finance. The position requires strong analytical skills and attention to detail, as well as an ability to convert data into actionable insights for operational stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience performing variance analysis and/or cost accounting.
• Experience in retail finance or retail accounting.
• Exposure to financial planning, budgeting, or forecasting environments.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain weekly KPI reporting to track business performance and trends.
• Perform weekly and monthly budget vs. actual variance analysis.
• Partner with operators and business leaders to discuss variances.
• Conduct ad hoc financial and operational analyses.
• Support planning and forecasting processes.
• Develop actionable insights and present findings.
• Maintain and improve reporting processes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Data-driven decision-making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting

Job description

We are seeking a Financial Planning and Analysis Specialist to support performance reporting, budget variance analysis, and data-driven decision-making across the business. This role partners closely with operations, translating financial and operational data into insights that drive performance improvement and strategic planning.

The ideal candidate is naturally curious, comfortable working through ambiguity, and enjoys collaborating with operators to understand what’s driving results and where opportunities exist.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain weekly KPI reporting to track business performance and trends
• Perform weekly and monthly budget vs. actual variance analysis, including investigation of underlying drivers
• Partner with operators and business leaders to discuss variances, ask questions, and identify improvement opportunities
• Conduct ad hoc financial and operational analyses to support business decisions and leadership requests
• Support planning and forecasting processes by analyzing historical trends and operational data
• Develop clear, actionable insights and present findings to finance and operational stakeholders
• Maintain and improve reporting processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and efficiency

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting
• Experience performing variance analysis and/or cost accounting
• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail
• Experience in retail finance or retail accounting
• Exposure to financial planning, budgeting, or forecasting environments