Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis

Appian Corporation; United States; On-site; USD 100,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Appian is seeking an FP&A leader to own annual budgeting, quarterly forecasts, and variance analysis for operational units. You will translate financial data into actionable strategies that fuel AI-powered process automation growth and partner with executives to prioritize investments.

Based at our McLean, VA headquarters, this role requires in-office collaboration five days a week to drive disciplined planning, implement KPIs, and scale FP&A processes for a fast-growing SaaS environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years in FP&A, corporate finance, or related function with progression in responsibility.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel for financial modeling, including forecasting and scenario analysis.
• Deep knowledge of FP&A methodologies including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to synthesize large datasets into strategic recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting cycles for operational departments, ensuring accuracy and alignment with growth targets.
• Execute comprehensive variance analysis and deliver actionable insights to business leaders identifying cost drivers and efficiency opportunities.
• Partner with department heads to develop headcount planning models, operating expense forecasts, and ROI analyses for initiatives and strategic investments.
• Architect financial models that support scenario planning and enable leadership to evaluate trade-offs and optimize resource allocation.
• Drive financial discipline across operational teams by establishing KPIs, tracking performance metrics, and translating data into clear business narratives.
• Collaborate with senior finance leadership to refine FP&A methodologies and implement scalable best practices.

Skills

Analytical capability

Forecasting

Financial modeling

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics/Business Administration

Tools

Excel

Anaplan

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Here at Appian, our values of Intensity and Excellence define who we are. We set high standards and live up to them, ensuring that everything we do is done with care and quality. We approach every challenge with ambition and commitment, holding ourselves and each other accountable to achieve the best results. When you join Appian, you’ll be part of a passionate team dedicated to accomplishing hard things, together.

Own the annual budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis process for operational departments while translating financial data into actionable strategies that fuel Appian's growth in AI-Powered Process Automation.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The FP&A team serves as the strategic financial partner to Appian's operational business units, driving financial discipline and enabling data-driven decision-making across the organization. You will work closely with cross-functional leaders to ensure resource allocation aligns with corporate objectives as Appian scales its Enterprise-Grade Orchestration platform. This team plays a critical role in shaping investment priorities and ensuring sustainable growth in a dynamic, high-growth SaaS environment.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Appian is at an inflection point as we accelerate our AI-Powered Process Automation offerings and expand market share in enterprise digital transformation. This role exists to bring rigor and insight to operational planning, ensuring every dollar invested drives measurable business impact. You will have direct influence on strategic initiatives, working alongside executive leadership to optimize performance and scale operations intelligently.

This role is based at our headquarters in McLean, Virginia. Appian was built on a culture of in-person collaboration, which we believe is a key driver of our mission to be the best. Employees hired for this position are expected to be in the office 5 days a week to foster that culture and ensure we continue to thrive through shared ideas and teamwork. We believe being in the office provides more opportunities to come together and celebrate working with the exceptional people across Appian.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting cycles for operational departments, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and alignment with corporate growth targets.
• Execute comprehensive variance analysis and deliver actionable insights to business leaders, identifying cost drivers, performance trends, and opportunities for operational efficiency.
• Partner with department heads to develop headcount planning models, operating expense forecasts, and ROI analyses for innovation initiatives and strategic investments.
• Architect financial models that support scenario planning and strategic decision-making, enabling leadership to evaluate trade-offs and optimize resource allocation.
• Drive financial discipline across operational teams by establishing KPIs, tracking performance metrics, and translating complex financial data into clear business narratives.
• Collaborate with senior finance leadership to refine FP&A methodologies and implement best practices that scale with the organization.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Hold a Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in financial planning and analysis, corporate finance, or a related finance function with demonstrated progression in responsibility.
• Financial Modeling: Advanced proficiency in Excel for financial modeling, including complex forecasting models, scenario analysis, and data manipulation.
• FP&A Expertise: Deep knowledge of FP&A methodologies including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial reporting processes.
• Analytical Capability: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize large datasets into strategic recommendations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced Degree: MBA or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related quantitative discipline.
• SaaS Industry: Prior experience in the SaaS industry or technology sector with exposure to subscription revenue models and unit economics.
• Public Company: Experience working at high-growth publicly listed companies with exposure to SEC reporting and investor relations processes.
• Planning Tools: Proficiency in Anaplan for advanced financial modeling, scenario planning, and enterprise performance management.
• Data Visualization: Experience with Power BI or Tableau to create executive dashboards and communicate financial insights visually.
• We value experience with enterprise platforms as these skills translate well into our Enterprise-Grade Orchestration environment.

Pay and benefits are subject to change at any time, consistent with the terms of any applicable compensation, commission, bonus, or benefit plans.
Base Salary Range $100,000 — $200,000 USD

Tools and Resources

• Training and Development: During onboarding, we focus on equipping new hires with the skills and knowledge for success through department-specific training. Continuous learning is a central focus at Appian, with dedicated mentorship and the First-Friend program being widely utilized resources for new hires.
• Growth Opportunities: Appian provides a diverse array of growth and development opportunities, including our leadership program tailored for new and aspiring managers, a comprehensive library of specialized department training through Appian University, skills based training, and tuition reimbursement for those aiming to advance their education. This commitment ensures that employees have access to a holistic range of development opportunities.
• Community: We’ll immerse you into our community rooted in respect starting on day one. Appian fosters inclusivity through our 8 employee-led affinity groups (https://careers.appian.com/affinity-groups/). These groups help employees build stronger internal and external networks by planning social, educational, and outreach activities to connect with Appianites and larger initiatives throughout the company.

Benefits

Appian offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and financial future. Benefits may include health coverage, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free mental health support, life and disability insurance, an Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), a retirement/pension plan, wellness dollars, tuition reimbursement, family-forming benefits and more. Benefits vary by country—please ask your Talent Acquisition contact for details specific to the location you are applying to.

About Appian

Appian provides AI automation for the most important business processes at the world’s largest organizations. Our platform is known for its unique power, reliability, and scale. We’ve been automating processes for more than 25 years and have proven expertise in enterprise operations. For more information, visit appian.com .

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Appian is an equal opportunity employer that strives to attract and retain the best talent. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Appian provides reasonable accommodations to applicants in accordance with all applicable laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] . Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

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