Senior Financial Analyst,

Optum; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Incentive programs

Stock purchase plan

401(k) contribution

Job summary

Optum, based in Lafayette, LA, is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst to own weekly and monthly projection processes. You will partner with finance, operations, and data teams to translate complex data into actionable insights.

The role requires a finance or accounting background in healthcare, advanced Excel skills, and the ability to work flexible hours within our 8:00am–5:00pm window. Typical duties include budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and presenting results to leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Accounting or Finance.
• 2+ years in finance or accounting within healthcare.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including financial modeling, formulas, pivot tables, data analysis.
• Knowledge of financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Ability to analyze financial and operational drivers and translate findings into actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Own weekly and monthly projection deliverables, including data collection, model updates, quality review, variance analysis, and reporting.
• Analyze actual, budgeted, and projected results across revenue, workforce costs, operating expenses, and other key drivers.
• Identify and communicate material changes, risks, opportunities, and factors contributing to variances.
• Partner with finance and operations to validate assumptions, resolve data issues, and incorporate current information into projections.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc analyses, models, reports, and leadership presentations.
• Improve and document projection models, reporting processes, and controls for accuracy and efficiency.
• Support annual budgeting activities, including system prep, templates, data validation, and end-user support.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior analysts.
• Collaborate with Data Analytics teams to improve data integrity and forecasting capabilities.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Budgeting & forecasting

Variance analysis

Healthcare finance experience

Financial data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Job description

This position follows Office-Based schedule with (4) In-office days per week. Our office is located at 901 Hugh Wallis Rd S, Lafayette, 70508.

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale.

Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Senior Financial Analyst owns key components of the weekly and monthly financial projection process, delivering timely and accurate insights that help finance and operational leaders understand expected performance, key business drivers, and emerging risks and opportunities.

This role partners across finance, accounting, operations, workforce management, and service-line teams to validate assumptions, investigate variances, improve projection processes, and translate complex financial and operational data into clear recommendations.

This position is full time. Employees are required to have flexibility to work any of our shift schedules during our normal business hours of 8:00am - 5:00pm. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime.

We offer weeks of on-the-job training. The hours of the training will be based on schedule or will be discussed on your first day of employment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Own assigned weekly and monthly projection deliverables, including data collection, model updates, quality review, variance analysis, and reporting.
• Analyze actual, budgeted, and projected results across revenue, workforce costs, operating expenses, and other key business drivers.
• Identify and communicate material changes, risks, opportunities, and the factors contributing to financial variances.
• Partner with finance and operational stakeholders to validate assumptions, resolve data issues, and incorporate current business information into projections.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial analyses, models, reports, and presentation materials for leadership.
• Improve and document projection models, reporting processes, and controls to increase accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Support annual budgeting activities, including system preparation, template development, data validation, adjustments, and end-user support.
• Provide technical guidance and informal mentoring to junior analysts and team.
• Collaborate with Data Analytics teams to improve data integrity, reporting automation, and forecasting capabilities.

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in Accounting OR Finance
• 2+ years of experience in finance OR accounting within healthcare.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling, formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis
• Knowledge of financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Ability to analyze financial and operational drivers and translate findings into actionable insights.
• Ability to work full time. Employees are required to have flexibility to work any of our shift schedules during our normal business hours of 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with enterprise planning, financial reporting, data visualization, OR business-intelligence tools.
• Experience with Planful, Power BI, OR MicroStrategy.
• Experience improving financial models, reporting processes, OR internal controls.
• Experience in finance, FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, OR financial projection modeling.

Telecommuting Requirements

• Reside within commutable distance to the office at 901 Hugh Wallis Rd S, Lafayette, 70508
• Ability to keep all company sensitive documents secure (if applicable)
• Required to have a dedicated work area established that is separated from other living areas and provides information privacy.
• Must live in a location that can receive a UnitedHealth Group approved high-speed internet connection or leverage an existing high-speed internet service.

Soft Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities, meet recurring deadlines, and appropriately elevate material risks or data issues.
• Strong attention to detail and accountability for accurate, timely financial deliverables.
• All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $72,800 - $130,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are a drug‑free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

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