Principal Financial Analyst

Primary Role

This job is a principal-level analyst who develops recommendations through strategic analysis, ensures accurate financial reporting, and provides valuable insights that influence key business decisions for American Water’s Regulated revenues. The individual will work closely with cross-functional teams including State Finance Leadership, Operations, and Regulatory Services to optimize revenue planning and support business growth and achievement of business objectives.

Critical financial functions for this role include budgeting, forecasting, analysis, benchmarking, reporting, and internal controls. As a Principal Revenue Analyst, you will play a pivotal role in managing complex revenue processes, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, and developing financial models that support the company’s long-term objectives. The person must have an advanced ability to communicate financial analysis, results, forecasts and projections to all levels within the organization from Operations to Executive Leadership

Key Accountabilities

• Lead revenue analysis, forecasting, trend analysis, and variance reporting.
• Develop and maintain complex revenue and financial models using regression analysis and/or other statistical methods to assess business performance and inform strategic decisions.
• Analyze customer and usage data to identify revenue opportunities, new trends, track KPIs, and provide actionable insights to management and senior leadership.
• Manage the preparation and presentation of monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue reports for internal stakeholders.
• Support business planning and budgeting efforts by providing revenue projections and analysis of key performance drivers and collaborating with business partners to develop budget assumptions.
• Identify and recommend process improvements to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of revenue reporting and forecasting.
• Serve as a key subject matter expert in all revenue-related matters.
• Provide analytical support to all levels of management, including ad-hoc reporting.
• Support other stakeholder special projects and ad hoc assignments.
• Drive "Best Practices" by assessing ongoing effectiveness of existing business applications and technologies.
• Collaborate with affiliated Operational Finance teams, operations representatives and other key stakeholders to deliver effective analysis of results (plan, forecast and actuals).

Scope:

• Disseminate the information provided to them by their manager to ensure compliance and
• adherence to the goals and strategies of the organization.
• Implement the day-to-day operation and continuity of the workplace across disciplines, work environments and any given operation.
• Work collaboratively with a team, disseminate essential communications and delegate tasks and follow up items to ensure desired results while driving toward meeting deadlines.
• Delegate work and follow up and ensure operational effectiveness within the department.
• Involved with acclimating, assisting, developing and mentoring less experienced professionals within the department.

Knowledge/Skills

• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proven financial analysis, financial modeling, data analysis, and forecasting techniques.
• Ability to apply complex trend evaluation and scenario modeling techniques.
• Ability to recommend and implement process improvements, work independently and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships within finance and all levels of management.
• Utilize highly effective listening and feedback skills to promote open and constructive dialogue with stakeholders.
• Proven ability to learn concurrently, multitask, productively manage time.
• Demonstrated ability to work with large data sets and extract meaningful insights.
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Accounting concepts and understanding of analytical concepts for financial analysis as well as US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
• Preferred: Broad knowledge SAP ERP and Hyperion/Oracle Financial Planning systems.
• Preferred: Detailed understanding of the regulatory environment and detailed knowledge of the utility regulations and tariffs in effect in the divisions.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor's degree required in finance, accounting, business or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Preferred: MBA, MS-Econ, CPA, CFA or advanced degree(s)/certification(s).
• Minimum of approximately 6-8 years of pertinent FP&A experience required (or relevant experience).
• Proficiency in financial modeling, data analysis, and forecasting techniques.
• Advanced skills in Excel, financial software (e.g., Oracle, SAP).
• Preferred: prior experience in the regulated utility industry

Travel Requirements

• Minimal

Competencies