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What does a contract finance analyst do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Nate Peach Ph.D.

A contract finance analyst specializes in evaluating and managing contracts to help companies avoid financial losses and disputes. It is their duty to understand the needs and goals of a company, review contracts thoroughly, analyze the clauses and liabilities, negotiate contract terms, and recommend amendments on behalf of the clients. There are also instances where they must prepare and process documentation, maintain records, and provide departments with cost-effective methods to comply with the contract's obligations. Above all, a contract finance analyst must monitor every amendment and procedure.

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Contract finance analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real contract finance analyst resumes:

  • Manage cash activities and resolve old and current accounts through reconciliations and variance analysis.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Maintain audit readiness and compliance for internal/external corporate and project audits - PWC, KPMG, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX).
  • Subject matter expert on sun setting GL/Budget/Reporting system while concurrently participating in the design and implementation of custom forecasting ERP tool.
  • Schedule production of require products and arrange delivery to ACH facility or customer.

Contract finance analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Contract Finance Analysts are proficient in Financial Analysis, SQL, and Cost Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Contract Finance Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Financial Analysis, 17%

    Prepared financial analysis on contracts for financial reporting, budget/forecast, allocations, billings/collections, headcount, other items as requested.

  • SQL, 15%

    Lead project to create SQL reporting database, containing IFS and legacy systems data.

  • Cost Analysis, 12%

    Contributed significantly to financial budgeting preparation and analysis; inventory valuation and product cost analysis; and operational analysis.

  • Financial Data, 4%

    Identified ambiguous and erroneous financial data in contract repository, labeled and resolved findings and escalated issues.

  • Reconciliations, 3%

    Managed cash activities and resolved old and current accounts through reconciliations and variance analysis.

  • Journal Entries, 3%

    Propose reclassification and write-off journal entries based on account reconciliation results.

Common skills that a contract finance analyst uses to do their job include "financial analysis," "sql," and "cost analysis." You can find details on the most important contract finance analyst responsibilities below.

Computer skills. One of the key soft skills for a contract finance analyst to have is computer skills. You can see how this relates to what contract finance analysts do because "financial analysts must be adept at using software to analyze financial data and trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts." Additionally, a contract finance analyst resume shows how contract finance analysts use computer skills: "assembled spreadsheets/pivot tables and drew charts and graphs used to illustrate financial reports, using computer. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform contract finance analyst duties is analytical skills. Contract finance analysts responsibilities require that "financial analysts must evaluate a range of information in finding profitable investments." Contract finance analysts also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "worked with the transition from data 3 to the new erp system of sap. "

Communication skills. contract finance analysts are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to contract finance analyst responsibilities, because "financial analysts must be able to clearly explain their recommendations to clients." A contract finance analyst resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "created record keeping system allowing for better communication and information sharing between hr and finance team. "

Detail oriented. A big part of what contract finance analysts do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to contract finance analyst responsibilities because "financial analysts must pay attention when reviewing a possible investment, as even small issues may have large implications for its health." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical contract finance analyst tasks: "provided detail reconciliations for external/internal auditors. "

Math skills. Another common skill required for contract finance analyst responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of contract finance analysts all the time, as "financial analysts use mathematics to estimate the value of financial securities." An excerpt from a real contract finance analyst resume shows how this skill is central to what a contract finance analyst does: "completed research and analysis for management including variance analysis, weekly statistics, and continuous implementation planning statistics. "

Most common contract finance analyst skills

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Compare different contract finance analysts

Contract finance analyst vs. Finance officer

A finance officer is responsible for monitoring the financial department and the transactions of an organization. Finance officers analyze financial reports, update account statements, and oversee the budget allocation for business operations. They also resolve billing discrepancies and banking issues, assist in cash statement release, and manage payroll disputes. A finance officer conducts data and statistical analysis to evaluate the company's financial performance and stability and identifying opportunities to increase revenues and grow more profits.

The annual salary of finance officers is $4,398 higher than the average salary of contract finance analysts.Even though contract finance analysts and finance officers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require financial analysis, cost analysis, and financial data in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between contract finance analysts and finance officer. For instance, contract finance analyst responsibilities require skills such as "sql," "reconciliations," "financial statements," and "process improvement." Whereas a finance officer is skilled in "real estate," "origination," "financial procedures," and "cpa." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Finance officers tend to reach similar levels of education than contract finance analysts. In fact, finance officers are 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Contract finance analyst vs. Analyst

Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.

A career as a analyst brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a contract finance analyst. In fact, analysts salary is $8,583 higher than the salary of contract finance analysts per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Contract finance analysts and analysts both require similar skills like "financial analysis," "financial data," and "journal entries" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real contract finance analyst resumes. While contract finance analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "sql," "cost analysis," "reconciliations," and "financial performance," analysts use skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," "project management," and "strong analytical."

On average, analysts earn a higher salary than contract finance analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, analysts earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $79,330. Whereas contract finance analysts have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $88,616.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than contract finance analysts. In fact, they're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for contract finance analysts in the next 3-5 years?

Nate Peach Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Economics, George Fox University

I'm not sure about one specific technology, but I think some general skills will become more valuable. Specifically, being familiar with necessary coding, analyzing data, and making sense of economy broad trends will continue to be highly prized in the labor market. Economists are well-suited to help organizations attempting to get up to speed on their use of data.

Contract finance analyst vs. Budget analyst

A budget analyst supports organizations and businesses by organizing their financial resources to develop and execute budgets for them. A budget analyst is also responsible for evaluating budget proposals, analyzing data, extra funds redistribution, recommending spending cuts, preparing reports annually, and estimating spending requirements in the future. A budget analyst explores alternative funding methods and uses cost-benefit analyses. In addition, budget analysts also look at past budgets and research any financial developments that could affect income and expenditures.

On average, budget analysts earn lower salaries than contract finance analysts, with a $7,826 difference per year.By looking over several contract finance analysts and budget analysts resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "financial analysis," "cost analysis," and "financial data." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, contract finance analysts are more likely to have skills like "sql," "financial performance," "process improvement," and "purchase orders." But a budget analyst is more likely to have skills like "budget analysis," "financial reports," "powerpoint," and "budget estimates."

Budget analysts make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $60,887. On the other hand, contract finance analysts are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $88,616.budget analysts typically earn similar educational levels compared to contract finance analysts. Specifically, they're 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Contract finance analyst vs. Risk analyst

As a risk analyst, you will oversee the identification, assessment, and monitoring of risks that your company has been exposed to. You will evaluate financial documents, potential clients, and economic conditions to determine the level of risk in business decisions. You will be responsible for aggregating data from several sources to develop a comprehensive assessment and create reports, processes, and presentations to better present results. You are also expected to work closely with other team members to analyze and show data effectively.

Risk analysts average a higher salary than the annual salary of contract finance analysts. The difference is about $17,060 per year.While both contract finance analysts and risk analysts complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like financial analysis, financial data, and financial statements, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A contract finance analyst uses "sql," "cost analysis," "reconciliations," and "journal entries." Risk analysts are more likely to have duties that require skills in "risk management," "risk assessments," "powerpoint," and "portfolio. "In general, risk analysts earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $77,608. The highest-paying industry for a contract finance analyst is the finance industry.In general, risk analysts hold similar degree levels compared to contract finance analysts. Risk analysts are 1.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of contract finance analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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