Sr. Associate, Financial Planning & Analytics

As a Senior Associate in Financial Planning & Analytics at Oak Street Health, you will manage financial records, analyze financial data, and ensure compliance with accounting standards. Your role will be pivotal in supporting month-end close processes, maintaining the general ledger, and preparing account reconciliations, among other responsibilities. You'll collaborate closely with the Assistant Controller and other members of the Finance team.

To qualify for the Senior Associate, Financial Planning & Analytics position at Oak Street Health, candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and have 3 to 5 years of progressive public accounting or corporate financial reporting experience. A CPA certification is preferred, along with a good grasp of GAAP and advanced skills in Excel and financial software.

Essential skills for the Senior Associate role in Financial Planning & Analytics at Oak Street Health include strong analytical abilities, effective communication skills, and time management. The ability to multi-task, build collaborative relationships, and work independently are also critical to succeed in this dynamic environment.

At Oak Street Health, Senior Associates in Financial Planning & Analytics can expect numerous opportunities for growth, including leadership development programs, continuing education stipends, and access to new centers and flexible work environments. This role offers significant responsibility, which can lead to rapid advancement within the organization.

Oak Street Health embraces diversity and encourages all interested candidates to apply for the Senior Associate, Financial Planning & Analytics position. The company actively fosters an inclusive environment, as outlined in their diversity and equity initiatives, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and respected within the workplace.

Success in the Senior Associate, Financial Planning & Analytics position at Oak Street Health involves careful attention to detail in financial reporting, an ability to adapt quickly to organizational changes, and effective collaboration with fellow team members. Achieving accountability in financial management while consistently looking for process improvements contributes to overall departmental success.

The company culture at Oak Street Health is dynamic and mission-driven, focused on rebuilding healthcare for older adults. As a Senior Associate in Financial Planning & Analytics, you will be part of an energized team that values positive energy, good intentions, and exceptional patient experience, all while fostering a sense of community and collaboration across departments.

When answering this question, it's important to detail your previous roles that involved financial reporting and analysis. Highlight specific tools and techniques you have used to generate reports, key performance indicators you tracked, and how your analysis has informed financial decision-making in your past roles.

Explain your approach to prioritization during the month-end close process. Discuss how you assess the urgency of various tasks, the importance of accurate reconciliations, and how you maintain strict timelines to ensure a smooth close, including any tools or methods you use.

When discussing strategies for compliance with GAAP, share specific methods like regular training, thorough documentation practices, and collaboration with auditors or compliance teams. Emphasize your ability to stay updated on changes in regulations and proactively adjust processes.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame your response. Describe the context of the challenge, your role, the actions you took to solve the problem, and the positive result that followed. This showcases your problem-solving skills and resilience.

Discuss your meticulous process for identifying discrepancies, which may include detailed reconciliations and analyses. Highlight your attention to detail and how you proactively communicate with relevant stakeholders to resolve issues swiftly and accurately.

Share specific examples of your experience with joint venture accounting, detailing your understanding of the unique accounting requirements and how you have managed relationships with partners in previous roles. Emphasize communication skills and collaboration.

Be prepared to discuss your proficiency in financial software, particularly Excel and any Workday applications, showcasing specific features or analyses you've successfully implemented. This helps interviewers gauge your technical capabilities.

Detail your attention to detail and systematic approaches you use, like double-checking figures, running sanity checks, and the importance of clear documentation to ensure all analyses are thorough and accurate.

Discuss your understanding of Sarbanes-Oxley and your experience with internal controls. Explain the steps you would take to maintain compliance, including documenting processes and conducting regular reviews of controls over financial reporting.

Share your passion for analyzing financial data and how it drives your desire to impact organizational success. Talk about your interest in understanding business strategies through financial metrics and guiding them effectively.