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Finance Manager, Americas Sales Finance

Company Description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We take our mission of protecting the digital way of life seriously. We are relentless in protecting our customers and we believe that the unique ideas of every member of our team contributes to our collective success. Our values were crowdsourced by employees and are brought to life through each of us everyday - from disruptive innovation and collaboration, to execution. From showing up for each other with integrity to creating an environment where we all feel included.

As a member of our team, you will be shaping the future of cybersecurity. We work fast, value ongoing learning, and we respect each employee as a unique individual. Knowing we all have different needs, our development and personal wellbeing programs are designed to give you choice in how you are supported. This includes our FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items selected by employees, our mental and financial health resources, and our personalized learning opportunities - just to name a few!

At Palo Alto Networks, we believe in the power of collaboration and value in-person interactions. This is why our employees generally work full time from our office with flexibility offered where needed. This setup fosters casual conversations, problem-solving, and trusted relationships. Our goal is to create an environment where we all win with precision.

Job Description

Your Career

Palo Alto Networks has an exciting opportunity for an experienced and highly motivated Finance Manager, Sales FP&A professional to join our team.  In this role, you will work closely with the Director of North America Finance and business partners in North America Sales to help drive strategic decision-making, provide financial insight, and build operational rigor and efficiency. 

This individual will also partner with Speedboat and Central Finance teams, and collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Sales Operations on a regular basis. Being successful in this role requires a large degree of analytical thought leadership, excellent organization and communication skills, and the ability to drive process improvement and actionable insights across all the key FP&A areas.  

Your Impact

  • Business Partnering - Trusted advisor and Finance partner to key Sales leadership within North America - Develop an understanding of their business and translate that into operational and financial information - Help develop various metrics and reports to monitor the health of the business on a regular basis, including identification of areas of P&L risk and opportunities - Deliver insights to help grow and drive profitability of the NAM business - Support the analysis, approval and execution of key operational activities such as headcount requisitions, program spend, purchase requisitions, and time and expenses - Able and willing to champion difficult but necessary trade-offs in the business
  • Planning for North America Theater - Translate Go-to-market strategy and company goals into annual Bookings, OPEX and HC plans - Actively engaged in the planning processes for North America, including driving run-rate analysis, investment modeling, affordability analysis and budget allocation
  • Quarterly / Monthly Close, Forecast and Reporting - Guide and drive the Segment Sales financial close and forecast process - Provide monthly and quarterly financial reporting, analysis and key metrics that enable business decision making - Incorporate best practices and create a more streamlined, methodical and data-driven approach to forecasting, and drive a more efficient close process
  • Lead Projects to evaluate investments and GTM strategy, optimize resource allocation and drive efficiency and process improvement - Upholding a mindset of continuous improvement to enable the NAM to scale the business and deliver high impact analysis for decision making
  • Mentor and Coach to junior team members - As one of the senior members on the team, it is critical to have a growth mindset, a “can-do/roll-up your sleeves” attitude, and a willingness to teach and support other junior team members in their growth and professional development - Understand the importance of collaboration, team success and building a values-driven team culture

Qualifications

Your Experience 

  • Bachelors in Business, Finance, or Accounting or equivalent military experience - MBA, CPA, or equivalent experience a plus
  • Strong FP&A experience
  • Experience with ERP and/or Planning Systems
  • Ability to demonstrate effective leadership in ambiguous and frequently changing situations
  • Strong project management, planning, and organization skills, including ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
  • Takes charge of complex issues and develop new ways of approaching business challenges independently and proactively
  • Superior analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated intellectual and analytical rigor
  • Ability to lead by example with a growth mindset, willingness to listen and embrace change, and a natural hunger to continuously learn and improve
  • Execution-focused
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Self-starter with unquestionable integrity
  • Passionate, high-energy, impactful team-player

Additional Information

The Team

You’re looking for a career with a more fulfilling mission. We have open positions to top talent seeking a challenge. Our NAM Sales Finance team sits at an exciting intersection of a critical and rapidly growing industry, supporting a sales organization that is poised to evolve and scale. If you have the relevant FP&A experience and acumen, an innovative and proactive “lean-in” mindset to problem solving, and a desire to help build a high-performing, positive and inclusive team culture, this could be the place for you! Our innovation doesn’t stay in Research and Development. Within finance, we seek people who are looking to try new things, while solving business critical equations. If you’re seeking a challenge with a world-wide impact – this is it.

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $116000 - $188000/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  [email protected].

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Average salary estimate

$152000 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$116000K
$188000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Finance Manager, Americas Sales Finance, Palo Alto Networks

Are you ready to shape the future of cybersecurity while working at one of the industry's leading companies? Palo Alto Networks is on the lookout for a dynamic Finance Manager in the Americas Sales Finance team, conveniently located in Santa Clara, CA. In this role, you will be a strategic partner to North America Sales leadership, utilizing your extensive FP&A expertise to drive operational rigor and financial insight. You will regularly collaborate with cross-functional teams to monitor business health, analyze operational activities, and deliver actionable insights to boost profitability. Your analytical thought leadership will guide the planning processes by translating go-to-market strategies into concrete goals. Plus, you’ll be a mentor to junior team members, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration. At Palo Alto Networks, you’ll find a workplace that values your unique ideas, supports your professional development, and thrives on innovation. With comprehensive wellbeing programs and a vibrant team culture, this position promises exciting challenges and the opportunity to make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment. Join us and bring your skills in project management, planning, and analytical problem-solving to help us lead the charge in protecting our digital way of life!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Finance Manager, Americas Sales Finance Role at Palo Alto Networks
What are the main responsibilities of a Finance Manager at Palo Alto Networks?

As a Finance Manager at Palo Alto Networks, your main responsibilities will include serving as a trusted advisor to North America Sales leadership, developing financial reports and metrics to track business health, driving quarterly and monthly financial close processes, and leading projects aimed at achieving operational efficiency. Your role is pivotal in translating strategic goals into actionable financial plans and you will collaborate extensively with various teams to deliver impactful insights.

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What qualifications do I need to become a Finance Manager at Palo Alto Networks?

To become a successful Finance Manager at Palo Alto Networks, candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting, with an MBA or CPA being a plus. Strong FP&A experience is essential, alongside a proven ability to lead and manage projects effectively, particularly in a fast-paced environment. Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills are also crucial for thriving in this role.

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How does the Finance Manager role at Palo Alto Networks contribute to the company's success?

The Finance Manager role at Palo Alto Networks is essential for driving strategic decision-making and enhancing profitability through detailed financial analysis and reporting. By partnering with business leaders, this position impacts the organization’s ability to respond to market opportunities and challenges efficiently. Your insights will help shape key operational activities and ensure the sales division is well-equipped to meet its objectives.

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What is the work culture like for Finance Managers at Palo Alto Networks?

At Palo Alto Networks, the work culture for Finance Managers emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. Employees generally work full-time from the office to foster interpersonal relationships and facilitate casual problem-solving discussions. The company promotes continuous learning and personal growth, which aligns with its mission of safeguarding the digital world. You'll be in an environment that values your contributions and encourages teamwork.

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What career development opportunities are available for Finance Managers at Palo Alto Networks?

Palo Alto Networks offers a wealth of career development opportunities for Finance Managers. These include personalized learning programs, mentorship from senior team members, and various employee wellbeing initiatives. The company fosters a growth mindset and encourages employees to take on new challenges, making it an excellent place to advance your career while contributing to a meaningful mission.

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Common Interview Questions for Finance Manager, Americas Sales Finance
How do you approach financial forecasting as a Finance Manager?

In a Finance Manager role, I approach financial forecasting by leveraging historical data and market trends to create accurate projections. I incorporate a methodical analysis of key metrics and involve cross-functional teams to collate relevant inputs, which allows for a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape. Engaging in a continuous feedback loop post-forecast helps refine future approaches.

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Can you describe a time when you improved a financial process?

Absolutely! In my previous position, I noticed the monthly close process was cumbersome and often led to discrepancies. I spearheaded a project to automate several aspects of the process, improving accuracy and reducing the close time by 30%. This not only enhanced efficiency but also allowed the team to focus more on value-added analysis.

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What metrics do you consider critical in evaluating sales performance?

Critical metrics for evaluating sales performance include sales growth rate, customer acquisition cost, and sales pipeline velocity. I also prioritize understanding the contribution margins and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as churn rate and customer lifetime value to get a comprehensive overview of sales health.

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How do you build relationships with sales leadership?

Building strong relationships with sales leadership involves understanding their priorities and challenges. I make it a point to schedule regular one-on-one meetings to discuss their goals and provide financial insights that align with their strategies. Being approachable, listening actively, and delivering on commitments are key to establishing trust and collaboration.

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Describe how you handle conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment.

In fast-paced environments, I prioritize tasks based on strategic impact and deadlines. I utilize project management tools to keep track of multiple projects and regularly reassess priorities through team check-ins. When conflicts arise, I ensure open communication with stakeholders to negotiate deadlines and allocate resources efficiently.

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What is your experience with ERP and Planning Systems?

I have extensive experience with ERP and Planning Systems such as SAP and Oracle. I have utilized these systems to integrate financial data, streamline reporting, and enhance forecasting accuracy. My proficiency in these tools allows me to generate insights quickly and supports strategic decision-making across the organization.

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How do you stay updated with the latest financial regulations and best practices?

To stay updated on financial regulations and best practices, I regularly attend industry seminars, webinars, and training sessions. I also subscribe to professional accounting and finance journals that provide insights into emerging trends. Engaging in professional networks and seeking mentorship within the industry has proven invaluable as well.

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What strategies do you use to mentor junior finance team members?

When mentoring junior finance team members, I focus on fostering a supportive environment where they feel comfortable asking questions. I provide them with challenging projects tailored to their skill levels and set up regular feedback sessions. I also encourage them to tackle increasingly complex tasks as they progress, ensuring their growth aligns with team objectives.

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How do you ensure accuracy in financial reporting?

To ensure accuracy in financial reporting, I implement a rigorous review process that includes cross-verification with source data and peer reviews. I advocate for a collaborative approach, where team members actively provide feedback on each stage of report preparation, ultimately enhancing the quality and integrity of our financial outputs.

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What is your experience in conducting financial analysis for investment evaluations?

I have conducted thorough financial analyses for various investment evaluations, focusing on ROI, NPV, and sensitivity analysis. This involves collecting market data, estimating future cash flows, and conducting scenario analyses to assess potential risks and returns. Presenting clear, data-driven recommendations to stakeholders has been crucial to securing approvals for strategic investments.

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Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.

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Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
December 4, 2024

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