Budget/Financial Analyst III

About the role

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Budget/Financial Analyst III to support an Army client in a fast-paced, headquarters-level environment. The position involves leading budget analysis and financial management, engaging with various stakeholders, and providing financial insights to senior leadership.

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.
• Cook with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to support contract funding actions, track expenditures, and ensure alignment between financial plans and contract execution.
• Collaborate with the Acquisition team to support procurement planning, funding certification, and execution of contracting actions in accordance with appropriations guidance.
• Coordinate 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
• 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 promptly, and drives solutions without waiting to be directed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred
• 8–10 years of experience in federal financial management, budgeting, and execution
• Demonstrated knowledge of the DoD Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process and federal budget cycles
• Prior experience supporting the U.S. Army or other DoD components
• Experience operating in or supporting an HQ-level environment strongly preferred
• Experience with the Government’s Financial Execution Budget System (GFEBs) highly recommended
• Familiarity with the Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) program for the procurement of IT products and services preferred
• Familiarity with reimbursable funding mechanisms, interagency agreements, and working capital fund environments preferred

Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $90,000 – $150,000, depending on experience, full benefits including medical, dental, vision insurance, 401K, PTTO, and sick leave (as required by law).