Sr. Finance Manager

As a Senior Finance Manager at Accela, your main responsibilities will include overseeing the financial performance of various business segments, conducting variance analyses, preparing monthly and quarterly reports, and leading the annual budgeting process. You'll collaborate with finance partners across the organization to provide actionable insights that drive profitability and cost control. Your role is essential for supporting executive management in making informed financial decisions.

Accela requires a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field for the Senior Finance Manager role, with an MBA preferred. Additionally, candidates should possess over 10 years of experience in FP&A, Big 4 Accounting, or private equity. Proficiency with Adaptive and NetSuite, along with advanced Excel skills and experience in financial modeling, are also crucial for success in this position.

Experience in a SaaS environment is highly valued for a Senior Finance Manager at Accela as it provides essential insights into the unique financial dynamics of software companies. Understanding subscription-based revenue models, managing constant cost variations, and utilizing metrics pertinent to SaaS growth ensure the manager can effectively oversee financial strategies that align with our business goals.

A Sr. Finance Manager at Accela should have outstanding analytical skills that enable them to simplify complex data into clear, actionable insights. Skills in financial modeling, experience with large datasets, and proficiency in data visualization tools like Power BI are crucial in analyzing financial results, assessing risks, and identifying opportunities to enhance decision-making across the organization.

The work environment at Accela for a Senior Finance Manager is fast-paced and dynamic, requiring adaptability to new demands and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is encouraged, fostering a culture of trust and communication. Accela’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion ensures a supportive workplace where every team member's contributions are valued.

In answering this question, you should highlight specific financial models you have built or utilized in previous roles, discussing how they helped achieve business objectives and improve forecast accuracy. Mention your proficiency with relevant tools such as Adaptive or Excel, and emphasize your ability to turn data insights into strategic business actions.

To effectively respond, discuss your process for conducting variance analysis, including steps like reviewing actual performance against forecasts, identifying discrepancies, and collaborating with department heads to understand the reasons behind variances. Highlight the importance of this analysis in making informed management decisions.

When answering this question, emphasize your organizational skills and any project management tools you use to prioritize tasks. Discuss how you streamline processes to ensure timely delivery of accurate financial reports without compromising quality. Illustrate this with a relevant example from your experience.

Prepare to share a specific project where your financial modeling significantly impacted decision-making or outcomes. Detail the objectives, your role in the project, and the results achieved. Highlight any improvements in accuracy or insights derived from your model that benefited the organization.

In your response, stress the importance of simplifying complex financial details into easily digestible information. Provide examples of how you've tailored financial presentations for different audiences, focusing on key messages and using visual aids to enhance understanding.

Be prepared to discuss your familiarity with budgeting processes, specifically relating to cycle phases such as planning, execution, and variance analysis. Mention your experience with software tools used in budgeting and how you have collaborated with various departments to gather input for comprehensive budgets.

Your answer should include concrete examples of initiatives you’ve led or participated in that enhanced finance processes, such as automation of reporting or streamlining budgeting tasks. Highlight the measurable impact these improvements had on efficiency and accuracy.

Discuss your practices for ensuring data accuracy in financial reporting, such as using error-checking techniques, regularly auditing financial data, and leveraging software systems like Adaptive or ERP solutions to minimize manual errors. Emphasize your commitment to integrity in financial reporting.

Highlight your approach to relationship-building with stakeholders outside of finance, focusing on open communication, active listening, and collaboration. Provide examples of how these relationships have positively influenced financial outcomes or project success.

Your answer should convey your leadership philosophy, such as promoting a collaborative environment, encouraging professional growth, and ensuring clarity in roles and expectations. Reference how you've successfully led teams through challenges or helped individuals achieve their career aspirations.