Senior Financial Analyst

This is a wide-ranging opportunity for a budding finance professional to gain broad experience across a host of FP&A disciplines in a hyper-growth environment, you will foster essential FP&A proficiencies, develop insightful reporting & analytics that influence decision-making and assist in the development of financial models for key and new business concepts, partnerships and acquisitions, and understand their impact to the overall business and profitability. This position is part of the Finance department. At Cepheid, our vision is to be the leading provider of seamlessly connected diagnostic solutions. Essential Job Responsibilities: Evaluate results to plan, drive variance analysis and provide partnership Marketing business leaders to execute on plan; analyze historical, current, and projected financial data for use in planning, forecasting, and management decision making. Responsible for month-end, quarter-end and year-end FP&A close activities, including preparation of journal entries, and forecast activities related to Headcount and operating expenses. Establish a regular cadence with business partners to review monthly actuals, analyze forecast variance, identify trends and provide recommendations to drive forecast execution and accuracy. Understand standard accounting principles and policy and interact with global accounting and financial partners to maintain proper financial processes, procedures and controls. Review the purchase requisitions in iBuy to validate the proper funding and accuracy of GL accounts and cost centers. Support improvements to existing reporting and budget processes through the utilization of new systems, tools and techniques. Help create finance process documentation, training guides and resources. Provide ad hoc reporting and analysis requested by Executive management and department leaders as needed to support the business. Knowledge and Skills: B.S degree in finance, accounting, economics or equivalent. 5 years of relevant financial planning and analysis experience. Proficient data analysis skillset and prior experience performing financial and ad hoc analyses using database and financial reporting tools. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (macros, pivots, lookups) and strong systems acumen with preference toward SAP and/or BI. Highly analytical and detail oriented, with the ability to develop new ideas into effective end results. Understanding of accounting processes, procedure and internal controls. Self-motivated and comfortable managing shifting priorities, achieving effective results within tight deadlines, and working across diverse & fast-paced assignments. Interpersonal skills, including written and oral communication skills. Logical problem-solving skills and willingness to learn.