Budget/Financial Analyst III - 174039

About the role

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Budget/Financial Analyst III to provide senior-level budget analysis and financial management support to an Army client operating in a fast-paced, headquarters-level environment. The role manages complex funding portfolios, supports budget execution and planning across the full Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) cycle, and delivers timely financial insight to inform senior leadership decisions. The position is full‑time, onsite in the Crystal City area of Arlington, VA and requires an active Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of detailed budget submissions, funding justifications, and supporting materials for internal, Army, and DoD reviews.
• Develop and manage complex spend plans; track obligations and disbursements; provide variance analysis and execution performance reporting to leadership.
• Support and participate in the full PPBE cycle, including program build, budget justification, execution review, and year‑end close activities.
• Engage Requirement Owners to validate funding needs, confirm requirements alignment, and ensure accurate and complete budget documentation.
• Coordinate with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to support contract funding actions, track expenditures, and ensure alignment between financial plans and contract execution.
• Coordinate with the Acquisition team to support procurement planning, funding certification, and execution of contracting actions in accordance with appropriations guidance.
• Collaborate with fellow budget analysts to synchronize execution strategies, resolve funding discrepancies, and maintain consistency across the portfolio.
• Engage senior‑level stakeholders to communicate financial status, present analysis, and provide recommendations that support informed decision‑making.
• Conduct comprehensive financial and programmatic analyses to assess alignment with strategic goals and performance benchmarks.
• Develop cost models, rough order of magnitude (ROM) estimates, and business case analyses to support planning and investment decisions.
• Review, coordinate, and validate financial instruments such as support agreements (e.g., 7600A/B), ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare executive‑level briefings, dashboards, and data visualizations that communicate financial performance, risk, and trends clearly.
• Support forecasting, scenario modeling, and risk assessments tied to budget planning and execution cycles.
• Contribute to standard operating procedures (SOPs), process improvement efforts, and responses to data calls or external reviews.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior analysts in federal financial management best practices.

Requirements

• Active Secret security clearance.
• Strong working knowledge of federal budgeting, appropriations law, and DoD/Army financial regulations.
• Demonstrated experience managing spend plans, tracking obligations and disbursements, and producing execution performance reports.
• Working knowledge of the DoD Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process and Army budget cycles.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling, pivot tables, and data analysis tools.
• Familiarity with Power BI and Power Apps tools for data analysis, reporting, and workflow automation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver briefings to senior leadership and senior‑level stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a high‑tempo environment.
• Demonstrated team‑player mentality — collaborative, reliable, and committed to shared mission success over individual recognition.
• Proactive approach to work — identifies problems early, raises issues