Strategic FP&A Finance Partner - Hybrid

Zs Associates; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ZS Associates in Chicago seeks a Senior Finance Business Partner to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, delivering clear financial insights for account, practice, or portfolio decisions that influence commercial outcomes.

You will lead forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analyses, provide P&L analysis and investment tracking, and mentor junior staff while ensuring robust financial controls and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; MBA/CPA, other designations a plus, but not required.
• 5-7 years of progressive experience in commercial finance, corporate finance, FP&A, consulting, or similar finance business partnering role.
• Strong financial acumen, including P&L management, forecasting, variance analysis, and commercial modeling.
• Proven experience partnering with senior stakeholders to influence decision making.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, Power BI, and PowerPoint and financial analysis skills; strong proficiency in financial systems and reporting tools.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial concepts into clear insights.
• Sound judgment, ownership, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted finance partner to senior business leaders, supporting decision making with clear financial insights.
• Influence commercial outcomes by identifying risks, opportunities, and trade-offs related to revenue, margin, and resources.
• Directly support pricing, deal structuring, and commercial evaluations aligned with financial objectives.
• Lead forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analysis for short and long term planning.
• Monitor performance vs plan, explain variances, and recommend actions to leadership.
• Develop and deliver management reporting including P&L analysis, margin drivers, and investment tracking.
• Mentor and coach junior Finance Business Partners and analysts.
• Ensure strong financial hygiene across reporting, forecast accuracy, and controls.
• Partner with cross functional teams to support procurement, investment tracking, and compliance with processes.
• Support month end, quarter end, and year end closes with data integrity.
• Act as SME in Finance Business Partnering, supporting best practices and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of finance tools, processes, and reporting standards.
• Model professional partnership, drive financial rigor, and raise team maturity.

Skills

P&L management

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Commercial modeling

Excel

Power BI

PowerPoint

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or related field

MBA/CPA optional

Tools

Financial systems

Reporting tools

Job description

ZS Associates in Chicago seeks a Senior Finance Business Partner to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, delivering clear financial insights for account, practice, or portfolio decisions that influence commercial outcomes.

You will lead forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analyses, provide P&L analysis and investment tracking, and mentor junior staff while ensuring robust financial controls and cross‑functional collaboration.