Business Analyst - FP&A

Role Purpose

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives - and are made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

Global Financial Services (GFS) was formed in Q3 2018 through the merger of Global Finance Operations, Integrated Finance Solutions and Cash Generation.  GFS is at the heart of the Finance function - accountable to the AstraZeneca (AZ) Group for the design and delivery of high quality, simple to operate transactional finance processes that enable our customers to focus on AZ’s strategic priorities.  

The creation of the Global Financial Services (GFS) centers in Warsaw (Poland), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and San José (Costa Rica) will transform the AZ Middle Office to a central function, supporting the business regions through simplification, standardization across the globe, and a structure that is scalable to support the bold ambition of becoming a $50bn company by 2025. 

We have exciting opportunities to join our GFS Center in San José, which will establish best practices and be responsible for providing support to embedded finance, CFOs and country business partners and or BPs in Manufacturing.

Role Profile 

As a FP&A Science Business Analyst you will be working in a team that operates monthly financial analysis and reporting. Main tasks will include calculating, submitting, and presenting P&L figures during planning cycles, while developing and improving those same processes over time.   You will be required to coordinate and analyze data from a variety of sources monthly and must acquire business acumen to generate deep analysis and provide information to support business decision-making.  

Your core deliverables will include: 

Provide robust, quality month end financial information; gather information, challenge back and deliver forecast, to ensure these are based on R&D assumptions across the function; deliver adequate financial input & analysis to support scientists and teams to make effective business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute month-end close activities such as: journal entries calculation/posting, analysis activities and related deliverables in a timely an accurate manner, including initial commentary and business insight. 
• Ensure data across reporting platforms is consistent to guarantee safe decision making for senior management.
• Validate P&L figures prior to sign off in close coordination with the R&D function.
• Execute all planning cycle processes (budgeting/forecasting) according to the AZ guidelines including the management information pack and analysis of any variations between the different forecast cycles. Also, ad/hoc support with different analysis required by Embedded Finance for decision making.
• Analyze complex financial information for trends, issues and opportunities and create action-oriented reporting to understand any unexpected variance. 
• Analyze risk management and project budgeting.
• Actively participate in initiatives for process improvement and standardization across the different business areas.
• Build effective relationships with business partners and deliver excellent customer service.
• Ad hoc projects may be assigned as needed.
• Document relevant processes under the assigned areas of responsibility.

Essential Criteria

• A recognized qualification in finance (Bachelor), business administration, accounting, economics or any related career.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A).
• Customer oriented individual.
• English language proficiency, both verbal and written, with the confidence to express clear opinions and ability to explain financial issues to a non-financial audience.
• Knowledge of accounting fundamentals (eg. GAAP, P&L, BS, CAPEX, accruals, cost centers).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, complex formulas, ability to work with large databases).

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in the pharmaceutical or retail industry considered a plus. 
• Proficiency in the usage of SAP, Smart View/Hyperion  (Oracle) Financial Management.
• Cross boundary experience including building relationships remotely and cross-culturally. 

Competences and Others

• Strong analytical capabilities and attention to detail
• Self-driven
• Customer service oriented with solid communication skills.
• Critical thinking 
• Creative thinking
• Team player: ability to collaborate effectively.
• Schedule flexibility

Other Role Requirements

Flexibility to travel and work in another AZ facilities outside the country when necessary.

According to the company policies, the candidate must prove that there are no situations that can generate a conflict of interest (COI) for the company. The non-existence of COI is considered as an objective requirement of the position. To know beforehand the weightings of COI contained in the policies of the company, consult the Human Resources Department.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. AstraZeneca only employs individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.

Internal and External Contacts/Customers

The GFS function will interface with the Back-Office areas, Embedded Finance (R&D Finance VPs), Scientists from multiple R&D functions, internal and external auditors.