Financial Analyst

POSITION SUMMARY

Overview

The Chief Financial Officer Group (CFOG) is responsible for the Firm’s global financial and controllership functions. Because all financial data for the Firm from all over the world flows into our team, we are in a unique position to spot trends and advise business leaders. Our first mission is to collect and report information with flawless accuracy.

Our next commitment is to provide insightful analysis and serve as business advisors to our front-line managers. In addition, our team members embody a deep commitment to providing brilliant service to our internal clients. We treat our business leaders and front-line professionals like valued clients who deserve first-rate, highly responsive service.

Our final commitment is to each other. The CFO division has a unique culture defined by collaboration, mutual support, and a “team first” attitude, combined with a strong commitment to professional excellence. We like go-getters who embody our values about first-rate work and continuous improvement.

Analyst – FP&A

The Analyst – FP&A is a core member of the FP&A team, responsible for developing the global annual budget and driving periodic forecasting cycles in partnership with business function leaders across the firm.

This is a business-partnering role: you will own the budget and forecast for an assigned portfolio of functions, analyze variances between actual results and plan, and present your findings and recommendations directly to the leaders who own that spend.

You'll build a working understanding of Spencer Stuart's business model and the operations of the CFO Group, and use it to make your analysis sharper over time.

What you’ll do

• Own the end-to-end budget and forecast process for an assigned set of business functions, from assumption-setting through final submission.
• Investigate variances to root cause and deliver clear, written commentary that explains why results moved not just what changed.
• Serve as the primary finance point of contact for your business partners, including asking clarifying questions, challenging assumptions, and holding the line on approved plan figures.
• Support consolidated reporting and executive-level materials, including board and leadership presentations.
• Identify process gaps and build the fix improving models, reporting, and workflows as the firm's planning environment evolves.

What you’ll bring

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in FP&A, corporate finance, accounting, or audit. Prior end-to-end ownership of a budget or forecast cycle is required.
• Working knowledge of an enterprise planning system (e.g., Adaptive Planning & Workday) and a BI/visualization tool (e.g., Power BI, Tableau). Exposure to Workday Financials is a strong plus.
• Advanced Excel skills, including nested logic, lookup functions, and maintenance of large, linked financial models.
• The ability to operate with minimal direction: you identify the issue, do the work to understand it, ask the right questions and capably deliver a recommendation.
• Comfort managing multiple concurrent deadlines across close, forecast, and budget cycles with competing stakeholder demands.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial detail for non-finance audiences.
• Exceptional attention to detail and an internal client service mindset.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting.

Location

353 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the main point of contact for Business Function teams within the Finance department, providing insights and analysis to support sound decision-making.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with cross-functional teams, ensuring that financial insights are integrated into business strategies and operations.
• Prepare and present accurate and timely financial reports and analyses to senior management, highlighting key trends and variances to inform business decisions.
• Ensure the integrity and quality of financial data through meticulous attention to detail, conducting thorough reviews and validation of reports and process outputs.
• Deliver exceptional service to internal stakeholders by anticipating needs, addressing inquiries, and providing solutions in a responsive manner.
• Manage multiple priorities effectively, ensuring that deliverables are completed within established timelines while adhering to high standards of quality.
• Liaise closely with the Controllership team to align financial reporting processes, ensure compliance, and contribute to the overall financial governance framework.
• Leverage tools such as Workday, Adaptive Planning, and Office Connect to enhance financial analyses, streamline reporting processes, and improve data integrity.
• Provide guidance and support to Business Function teams on financial best practices, tools, and systems to foster a culture of financial literacy across the organization.
• Identify opportunities for process enhancements within the FP&A function, driving efficiency and effectiveness in reporting and analysis activities

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to

Manager FP&A, Planning & Forecasting

Other key relationships

Full Chief Financial Officer Group including FP&A and Controllership Teams

Business Function Leadership

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting with strong academic record.

Proficient with Software and Databases:

• Advanced Excel skills are a must.
• Intermediate skills with PowerPoint.
• Prior experience using accounting and planning systems, strong preference for Workday and Adaptive Planning.

Work Experience:

• Three to five years as an FP&A Analyst is required.
• Previous experience with budgeting and forecasting is required, ideally in a business partner role supporting senior leadership.
• Experience in a global, professional services firm is preferred.

CRITICAL CAPABILITIES

• Highly analytical, insightful, curious. Able to delve deeply into and work meticulously with details, while also being able to pull up and offer meaningful insights to colleagues. Have the ability to step back from numbers to interpret what they mean, spot trends, and bring insight.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to lead meetings or discussion topics and must be able to provide excellent customer service to business colleagues.
• Dependable, self-motivated, and energetic with a proactive, problem-solving ability.
• Collaborative and team oriented. A great team player who is a natural relationship builder. Collaborates, shares information, seeks help, looks out for colleagues, and would never let a teammate down.
• Effectively manages multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Outstanding attention to detail and accuracy is a must. A willingness to dig deeply into information and to hunt down data.
• A strong commitment to the value of work by being able to digest and interpret the messaging and meaning of deliverables.
• Innately driven by personal excellence and pride in one’s work. Strong work ethic and professional dedication.

The base compensation range for this position is $85,000 – $90,000 per year. The actual base compensation offered within this range will be dependent on the individual’s skills, experiences, and qualifications. This position will be eligible to participate in our annual discretionary bonus program.

Spencer Stuart also offers a competitive benefits package, which includes:

• Retirement savings plan with discretionary profit sharing contribution and employer match;
• PTO (minimum 15 days per year, increases with tenure), paid sick time (10 days per year), company holidays (12 days per year), and paid leaves of absence when applicable;
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, and healthcare flexible spending account;
• Life Insurance, and short-term and long-term disability insurance;
• Wellness benefits, including an employee assistance program, virtual mental health program, and mindfulness program; and
• Voluntary benefit options, including supplemental life insurance, identity theft protection, and whole life insurance with long-term care and critical illness coverage.

To see and hear more about our organization, its culture and values, as well as what it’s like to work at Spencer Stuart, please visit https://www.spencerstuart.com/who-we-are/careers-at-spencer-stuart

In order to be considered for this role you must complete an application on Spencer Stuart's website. We will not be able to consider your candidacy unless an application is received.

Spencer Stuart is a proud equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

We are committed to non-discrimination without regard to actual or perceived race, ethnicity, creed, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law.