Financial Analyst

About the role

The Financial Analyst serves as a key contributor to insight and decision enablement by combining financial planning and analysis, business intelligence, data management, and AI-enabled analytics. This role develops reporting, dashboards, forecasts, financial models, and actionable insights that help leadership understand performance, identify risks and opportunities, and improve business outcomes. The analyst works closely with Finance, Accounting, Operations, Regulatory, IS, and other cross-functional teams to ensure financial and operational data is accurate, consistent, well-governed, and translated into meaningful information for management decision-making.

FOCUS Broadband is North Carolina's largest communications cooperative, providing high-speed fiber optic internet, Merge TV, Wireless, Security, and more. The company is building a next-generation, 100% fiber-optic network in Brunswick County and expanding its reach to serve portions of Bladen, Chowan, Columbus, Duplin, Hoke, Pender, Perquimans, Robeson, and Scotland Counties.

Responsibilities

• Support core FP&A activities, including annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, long-range planning, financial modeling, variance analysis, and profitability analysis to support business planning and decision-making.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance financial models that evaluate revenue, expense trends, capital investments, operating performance, customer economics, and business scenarios.
• Analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial results against budget, forecast, and prior periods to identify performance drivers, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions.
• Partner with multiple departments and business leaders to gather assumptions, validate inputs, define key metrics, and translate business activity into accurate budgets, forecasts, and financial insights.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, reports, visualizations, KPIs, and management presentations that communicate financial and operational performance in a clear, actionable manner.
• Collect, validate, reconcile, and analyze financial and operational data from multiple systems to ensure reporting accuracy, consistency, and integrity.
• Use business intelligence and analytics techniques responsibly to improve forecasting support, financial commentary, trend identification, scenario analysis, and reporting efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to automate recurring reports, streamline budgeting and forecasting workflows, improve data quality, and strengthen management reporting processes.
• Prepare ad hoc financial analyses, business cases, and special project support to help leadership evaluate strategic initiatives, cost management opportunities, and operational performance.
• Maintain regular and timely attendance.
• Perform other duties/special projects as required.
• Participate in community and company-sponsored activities as requested.
• Attend safety meetings, complete safety & security trainings, and maintain a safe working environment.
• Actively maintain and enhance job-related knowledge and skills through ongoing professional learning and development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and more than five years of experience in finance, data analytics, accounting, or a related area.
• General knowledge of financial/operational principles and accounting.
• Strong Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills.
• Experience creating reports, dashboards, and data visualizations.
• Understanding of budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and performance metrics.
• Must have and maintain an acceptable driving record and a valid driver’s license.

Skills

• Ability to develop financial reports, dashboards, KPIs, and business performance metrics that support management decision-making.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial, operational, and customer data to identify trends, anomalies, risks, and opportunities.
• Understanding of business intelligence concepts, including data visualization, dashboard design, metric definitions, and self-service reporting.
• Working knowledge of data management principles, including data accuracy, reconciliation, source-system understanding, documentation, and governance.
• Ability to use AI-enabled tools responsibly to improve efficiency, summarize information, generate financial commentary, identify patterns, and support scenario analysis.
• Strong data storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex analysis into clear business insights and recommended actions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with all key stakeholders.
• Ability to partner with multiple business functions to improve reporting, analytics, and decision support.
• Demonstrates natural curiosity, resiliency, sound judgment, professional skepticism, and a continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to work through ambiguity, ask thoughtful questions, and translate analysis into practical business insight.
• Knowledge of the telecommunications industry preferred but not required.
• Experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics AX/D365 preferred.

Physical Abilities

• Sitting or standing for extended periods, walking, finger dexterity, feeling, repetitive motions, talking, hearing, and visual acuity, including close vision.
• Ability to look at a computer screen for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• May be required occasionally to stoop, kneel, or bend.
• Ability to drive long distances.

Working Environment

• Work is performed in a professional office environment with moderate noise levels.
• Role requires extended use of computer systems, multiple monitors, and communication tools throughout the workday.
• May involve limited exposure to varying indoor environmental conditions (e.g., temperature fluctuations, noise, or dust).

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• 401k company contribution plus tiered match.
• Employer-paid premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees.
• Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-term Disability coverage.
• Employer-paid AD&D (Accidental Death & Dismemberment) and Term-life.
• On-Site Clinic: available Monday-Friday.
• Wellness Bonus Program - including Gym Reimbursement.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Generous PTO & Paid Holidays.