Full Job Description
Program Financial Analyst
Position Title: Program Financial Analyst
Location: McLean, VA (Hybrid)
Employment Type: Full-Time; Exempt
Reports To: Director of Finance
US Citizenship Required: Yes
Position Summary
The Program Financial Analyst supports the financial management of Blackwatch's portfolio of government contracts by partnering with Program Managers, Finance, Contracts, Accounting, Human Resources, and Executive Leadership. Working collaboratively as part of the Program Finance team, this position assists with financial planning, forecasting, reporting, contract performance analysis, and budgeting to ensure sound financial management across the organization.
The Program Financial Analyst plays an important role in providing timely financial analysis, monitoring program performance, identifying financial risks and opportunities, and supporting informed business decisions. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, highly analytical, and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment while demonstrating the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
Essential Responsibilities
Program Financial Management
- Support the financial management of assigned government contracts throughout the contract lifecycle.
- Partner with Program Managers and the Program Finance team to monitor contract financial performance.
- Assist in preparing and maintaining contract budgets, Estimates at Completion (EACs), and financial forecasts.
- Monitor contract funding, labor utilization, burn rates, backlog, profitability, and key financial metrics.
- Analyze actual financial performance against budget and forecast, identifying trends, variances, risks, and opportunities.
- Assist Program Managers with labor planning and staffing cost projections.
- Monitor contract ceilings, funded values, and remaining funding to identify potential issues.
- Support financial reviews with Program Managers to ensure contract performance remains on track.
- Utilize Unanet ERP to maintain project financial data, prepare reports, monitor contract performance, and support forecasting and budgeting activities.
Financial Planning and Analysis
- Support monthly, quarterly, and annual forecasting activities.
- Assist with the company's annual budgeting process.
- Prepare financial models and scenario analyses to support business decisions.
- Develop recurring financial reports and executive dashboards.
- Prepare profitability analyses by contract, customer, and business area.
- Analyze financial performance and recommend opportunities for improvement.
Financial Reporting
- Prepare recurring financial reports for management and executive leadership.
- Assist with monthly financial close activities by reconciling project financial data.
- Analyze direct labor, subcontractor costs, indirect costs, and overall contract profitability.
- Develop ad hoc financial reports and analyses as requested.
- Present financial information clearly and accurately to internal stakeholders.
- Government Contract Financial Support
- Support financial administration of Cost Plus, Time & Materials, Firm Fixed Price, and IDIQ contracts.
- Review contract modifications and funding changes for financial impact.
- Partner with Contracts to ensure accurate financial administration throughout the contract lifecycle.
- Assist with compliance related to FAR, CAS, GAAP, and company policies.
- Support DCAA audits, incurred cost submissions, and financial reporting requirements.
- Provide historical financial data and labor analyses in support of proposal pricing and business development efforts.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with the Finance team to support company financial objectives.
- Partner with Program Managers to provide financial guidance and contract performance reporting.
- Collaborate with Accounting to ensure accurate project setup, billing, reconciliations, and month-end close activities.
- Coordinate with Human Resources regarding labor planning, staffing projections, payroll allocations, and organizational changes affecting program financials.
- Support Executive Leadership by preparing financial presentations, dashboards, and business analyses.
Process Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve financial reporting, forecasting, and program financial processes.
- Develop standardized financial reporting tools and templates.
- Assist with implementation and enhancement of financial systems and reporting capabilities.
- Recommend process improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and financial visibility.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across the Finance organization.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
- Three (3) to seven (7) years of progressive financial analysis experience, preferably supporting U.S. Federal Government contracts.
- Experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and variance analysis.
- Strong understanding of project-based financial management.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, and financial modeling.
- Experience utilizing Unanet ERP for project accounting, reporting, budgeting, or financial management.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting federal government contracts.
- Knowledge of FAR, CAS, DCAA, and GAAP requirements.
- Experience with Cost Plus, Time & Materials, Firm Fixed Price, and IDIQ contracts.
- Experience supporting proposal pricing and financial volume development.
- Experience developing contract budgets and Estimates at Completion (EACs).