Fast Facts

Ascend Learning is seeking a Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst to enhance operational efficiency and drive financial insights within a purpose-driven culture.

Responsibilities: Prepare financial analysis to optimize business results, manage budgets, forecasts, and summarize variances while supporting decision-making.

Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, proficiency in Excel and financial modeling, ability to communicate effectively with executives, and data mining experience.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in finance or related fields, with 3+ years of FP&A experience preferred; experience in technology and digital learning is a plus.

Location: Hybrid role based in Burlington, MA, United States

Compensation: Not provided by employer. Typical compensation ranges for this position are between $80,000 - $110,000.

Job Details

Description

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning.

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers.

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.

Ascend Learning leads the way in innovation and solution creation to improve outcomes and deliver results for students, educators, and healthcare workers in the ever-changing field of healthcare. We offer advanced resources that drive nursing success, empower front-line certified allied health workers, help physicians pass boards and stay current, and provide education management tools for medical education programs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

We are seeking a skilled and detailed-oriented Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in driving financial insights, supporting strategic decision making and enhancing operational efficiency. A strong background in data mining, advanced excel and financial modeling is essential for success in the role. 

There is frequent interaction with senior executives including the CFO. This role produces important data-driven deliverables in support of commercial reviews, senior leadership meetings, and other critical Finance materials.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

This position will work a hybrid schedule from our Burlington, MA office location.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME

• Prepare analysis to ensure business results are optimized (ie: Headcount, Operating Expenses, Net Retention rates, etc); Work with multiple data inputs to translate data into information that the business can use for decision making. 
• Prepare, interpret, and use business balanced scorecard metrics, billings (revenue) drivers and other key metrics to model scenarios for the business
• Model budget, forecast and long-range plans, summarizing variances, risks and opportunities; use business judgment to determine when to drill into underlying detail
• Prepare reports on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis that enable decision making by the business; highlight important takeaways in concise executive summaries
• Prepare other ad-hoc modeling to enable business decision-making
• Partner with Segment accounting team on judgment-based accounting and ensuring appropriate business controls are in place

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, business analytics, or other related fields.
• 3+ years of experience in FP&A (preferably both corporate and segment FP&A). Additional finance experience demonstrating breadth of experience is preferred.
• Ability to perform a variety of financial activities including planning, analysis, budgeting, and reporting
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Able to perform accurate detailed work while also staying focused on interpreting information; Good understanding of financial statements and key performance metrics
• Strong collaboration and communication skills along with an ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with frequent tight deadlines while maintaining effective executive presence
• Strong Proficiency in data mining techniques and tools such as SQL or similar
• Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office applications essential; database and data visualization tools (e.g. Power BI or Tableau) a plus
• Experience in technology, software and/or digital learning a plus

 BENEFITS

• Flexible and generous paid time off
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) employer matching program
• Parental leave
• Wellness resources
• Charitable matching program
• Hybrid work
• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
• Community outreach groups
• Tuition reimbursement

Fostering A Sense of Belonging

We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued and be their authentic selves. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

About Ascend Learning

As a tech-enabled services company, Ascend Learning is a national leader in developing and delivering data-driven online educational content, software, assessments, analytics, and simulations serving institutions, students and employers across healthcare, fitness and wellness, public and workplace safety, skilled trades, insurance, financial services, cybersecurity, and higher education. We're committed to accelerating the learning pathways that can move people into careers where they have the knowledge and skills to have an impact and help change lives in the communities they serve. Headquartered in Burlington, MA with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America's 2023 Greatest Workplaces for Diversity.

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S. based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

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