Ascend
Financial Analyst
Ascend, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37247
Ascend is transforming the regional truckload sector by leveraging technology, building density, and offering driver-friendly routes and policies-making us the carrier of choice for shippers that demand high performance and flexibility at competitive rates, and the employer of choice for drivers seeking a better work-life balance.
Job Overview
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented
Financial Analyst/Senior Financial Analyst
to join our growing Finance team. This role will be responsible for providing financial insights, conducting comprehensive analysis, and supporting strategic decision-making processes. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in top-down and bottoms-up forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and experience with the month-end close process. This position requires a highly analytical thinker with a strong command of Excel, SQL, or Python, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Key Responsibilities:
Forecasting & Budgeting: Lead top-down and bottoms-up forecasting efforts, ensuring alignment with business goals and operational plans. Develop, maintain, and update financial models to support the annual budget and quarterly forecasts. Variance Analysis: Analyze financial results and provide comprehensive variance analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Collaborate with department heads to understand key drivers of performance and explain deviations from forecasts. Month-End Close: Support the month-end closing process, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of financial results. Prepare detailed financial statements, analysis, and commentary on financial performance for senior management. Financial Reporting & Analysis: Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to provide financial visibility across the organization. Analyze large datasets using advanced Excel functions, SQL queries, or Python scripts to support ad-hoc analysis and decision-making. Collaboration & Communication: Partner with cross-functional teams (Operations, Sales, Marketing) to gather data and insights for analysis. Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner. Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of financial analysis and reporting. Stay updated with industry best practices and trends in financial analysis. Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. 2-5 years
of relevant experience in financial analysis, FP&A, or a similar role. Strong knowledge of financial modeling, forecasting, and variance analysis. Proficiency in
Excel
(pivot tables, VLOOKUP, advanced formulas). Experience with
SQL
or
Python
for data analysis and automation. Strong understanding of
month-end close
processes and financial reporting. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels. Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Preferred Skills:
Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI). EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT
Ascend is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive environment where all individuals may grow and thrive, respecting the different experiences that each employee brings to their job. Ascend believes that a diverse work environment results in a better experience for employees and customers and makes Ascend stronger.
With our mission of diversity and inclusion in mind, we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), religion, age, disability, citizenship, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression), marital status, ancestry, genetic information, veteran and/or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or Ascend policy.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position, other duties outside of normal responsibilities may be performed as necessary to meet the needs of the organization. Nothing in this position description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.
Employee's acknowledgment constitutes employee's understanding of the principal accountabilities and duties of the position and certifies that they are physically able to perform the necessary duties in the work environment.
WE OFFER
Medical, Dental, Vision - 1st of month after hire 401(k) - 5% match Employee Assistance Benefit Enhanced Benefits (STD, LTD, Critical Care) Paid Holidays Paid Time Off
Job Overview
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented
Financial Analyst/Senior Financial Analyst
to join our growing Finance team. This role will be responsible for providing financial insights, conducting comprehensive analysis, and supporting strategic decision-making processes. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in top-down and bottoms-up forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and experience with the month-end close process. This position requires a highly analytical thinker with a strong command of Excel, SQL, or Python, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Key Responsibilities:
Forecasting & Budgeting: Lead top-down and bottoms-up forecasting efforts, ensuring alignment with business goals and operational plans. Develop, maintain, and update financial models to support the annual budget and quarterly forecasts. Variance Analysis: Analyze financial results and provide comprehensive variance analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Collaborate with department heads to understand key drivers of performance and explain deviations from forecasts. Month-End Close: Support the month-end closing process, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of financial results. Prepare detailed financial statements, analysis, and commentary on financial performance for senior management. Financial Reporting & Analysis: Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to provide financial visibility across the organization. Analyze large datasets using advanced Excel functions, SQL queries, or Python scripts to support ad-hoc analysis and decision-making. Collaboration & Communication: Partner with cross-functional teams (Operations, Sales, Marketing) to gather data and insights for analysis. Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner. Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of financial analysis and reporting. Stay updated with industry best practices and trends in financial analysis. Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. 2-5 years
of relevant experience in financial analysis, FP&A, or a similar role. Strong knowledge of financial modeling, forecasting, and variance analysis. Proficiency in
Excel
(pivot tables, VLOOKUP, advanced formulas). Experience with
SQL
or
Python
for data analysis and automation. Strong understanding of
month-end close
processes and financial reporting. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels. Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Preferred Skills:
Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI). EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT
Ascend is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive environment where all individuals may grow and thrive, respecting the different experiences that each employee brings to their job. Ascend believes that a diverse work environment results in a better experience for employees and customers and makes Ascend stronger.
With our mission of diversity and inclusion in mind, we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), religion, age, disability, citizenship, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression), marital status, ancestry, genetic information, veteran and/or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or Ascend policy.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position, other duties outside of normal responsibilities may be performed as necessary to meet the needs of the organization. Nothing in this position description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.
Employee's acknowledgment constitutes employee's understanding of the principal accountabilities and duties of the position and certifies that they are physically able to perform the necessary duties in the work environment.
WE OFFER
Medical, Dental, Vision - 1st of month after hire 401(k) - 5% match Employee Assistance Benefit Enhanced Benefits (STD, LTD, Critical Care) Paid Holidays Paid Time Off