Financial Analyst

As a Financial Analyst at WestCoast Children’s Clinic, your primary responsibilities include inputting budget data, tracking expenditures, and maintaining accurate financial records. You'll assist in preparing budget documents, analyze budget variances, and provide technical support on budget-related software and systems. This role is central to ensuring fiscal responsibility and achieving our financial objectives.

To qualify for the Financial Analyst position at WestCoast Children’s Clinic, candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, along with a minimum of two years of experience in accounting, ideally within the non-profit sector. Additionally, experience with financial analysis and computerized accounting ledger systems is essential for success in this role.

The Financial Analyst role at WestCoast Children’s Clinic emphasizes skills in nonprofit accounting, proficiency in MS Office with advanced Excel capabilities, and the ability to analyze financial data accurately. Teamwork, collaboration, strong communication skills, and familiarity with grant management are also crucial to thrive in this position.

The Financial Analyst position at WestCoast Children’s Clinic offers a competitive starting salary of $75,000, and this may vary based on experience. The compensation package includes benefits like waived medical premiums, dental, and vision insurance, a 403b retirement plan, and paid time off. Also, staff members enjoy additional perks such as annual incentive compensation and professional development opportunities.

Working at WestCoast Children’s Clinic as a Financial Analyst is unique due to the organization's commitment to social justice and community impact. Our focus on providing mental health services to vulnerable populations creates a rewarding and fulfilling work environment. Additionally, opportunities for professional development, such as extensive clinical trainings, foster personal and career growth.

In answering this question, highlight specific examples from past roles where you've successfully managed budgeting processes, tracked expenditures, and analyzed financial data. Focus on your methods for ensuring accuracy and compliance with policies, utilizing tools, and collaborating with teams to meet organizational goals.

Discuss your approach to data management, including double-checking your work, using financial software effectively, and developing systems for organizing and analyzing data. Detail any specific techniques you may use to minimize errors and ensure thorough reconciliations.

Emphasize your knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit-specific principles, such as OMB Circular A-122. Explain how these principles guide your financial practices and enable you to make informed decisions that benefit the organization and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Explain your systematic approach for identifying variances between approved budgets and actual figures. Discuss how you investigate discrepancies, communicate findings to stakeholders, and recommend corrective actions, highlighting a time you successfully resolved such an issue.

Share an example of financial software you’ve used, such as Abila MIP, and how you have leveraged its features to streamline budget tracking or reporting processes. Discuss any training or support you provided to colleagues and the positive outcomes that arose from your initiatives.

Talk about your techniques for simplifying complex financial concepts, using visuals or analogies. Emphasize your collaboration efforts with different departments, ensuring everyone understands key financial implications and fosters teamwork across the organization.

Highlight the importance of teamwork in your financial analysis function. Discuss specific instances where collaborative efforts with other departments led to improvements in budgeting practices or financial reporting, emphasizing mutual respect and shared goals.

Outline your process for prioritization, including the use of tools or lists to keep track of deadlines and projects. Talk about how you assess urgent vs. important tasks and adjust your focus as required to ensure efficiency and meet critical deadlines.

Reflect on a situation where you communicated complex financial information to a non-financial audience. Detail your preparation, the techniques you used to convey the message clearly, and the overall feedback from the audience to demonstrate your communication skills.

Express your passion for contributing to meaningful causes and your belief in the importance of making a difference in community health. Share personal or professional experiences that inspire your commitment to nonprofit work and how you see your role facilitating positive change.