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What does a senior business finance analyst do?

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

A senior business finance analyst is responsible for monitoring the business and financial transactions of a company, ensuring that the operational processes and functions meet the regulatory requirements and standard procedures. Senior business finance analysts analyze the company's financial performance by conducting data and statistical analysis to strategize in minimizing loss and increasing the business' efficiency and productivity. They also identify business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources by following corporate trends to provide clients' needs and public demands.

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Senior business finance analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior business finance analyst resumes:

  • Extract data and develop benchmark reports using Hyperion EssBase to analyze operational efficiency of manage and own properties.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Appoint team lead for the administrative Hyperion reporting upgrades.
  • Present findings and analysis to executive level management and work collaboratively with management in decision making processes regarding the asset portfolio.
  • Calculate, prepare, and post month end accruals, along with compilation of statistical measurements of the services provide.
  • Process monthly /quarterly revenue accruals for proper revenue recognition.
  • Analyze potential investments, including securities, real estate, options strategies and structure derivatives and make recommendations to senior management.

Senior business finance analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Senior Business Finance Analysts are proficient in Financial Analysis, Project Management, and Hyperion. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

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

  • Financial Analysis, 9%

    Conducted monthly variance/financial analysis with executive review/presentation.

  • Project Management, 5%

    Project management included budgeting, resource management, product delivery and client satisfaction.

  • Hyperion, 5%

    Extracted data and developed benchmark reports using Hyperion EssBase to analyze operational efficiency of managed and owned properties.

  • Business Process, 5%

    Develop and implement effective tactical/strategic business solutions through research and analysis of data and business processes.

  • Process Improvement, 4%

    Recognized inefficiencies in cost center reporting structure and recommended process improvement of reporting.

  • SQL, 4%

    Transferred data (ETL) from SharePoint, Access and Excel into SQL server and setting up views and stored procedures.

Most senior business finance analysts use their skills in "financial analysis," "project management," and "hyperion" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior business finance analyst responsibilities here:

Computer skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior business finance analyst to have is computer skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "financial analysts must be adept at using software to analyze financial data and trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts." Senior business finance analysts often use computer skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "create and maintain computer spread sheets and financial models. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform senior business finance analyst duties is analytical skills. Senior business finance analysts responsibilities require that "financial analysts must evaluate a range of information in finding profitable investments." Senior business finance analysts also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "analyzed and prioritized project and enhancement requests for all oracle financials ebusiness suite erp system modules and supporting systems. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior business finance analysts is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday senior business finance analyst duties, as "financial analysts must be able to clearly explain their recommendations to clients." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed and implemented financial tools that facilitated financial analysis, preparation of financial estimates, forecasts and communication across multiple projects. "

Detail oriented. senior business finance analyst responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "financial analysts must pay attention when reviewing a possible investment, as even small issues may have large implications for its health." This resume example shows what senior business finance analysts do with detail oriented on a typical day: "provided business partners with detailed financial analysis to aid them in submitting correct forecast information for specific projects. "

Math skills. Another common skill required for senior business finance analyst responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of senior business finance analysts all the time, as "financial analysts use mathematics to estimate the value of financial securities." An excerpt from a real senior business finance analyst resume shows how this skill is central to what a senior business finance analyst does: "developed and maintained monthly/weekly financial statements and statistics. "

See the full list of senior business finance analyst skills

Choose from 10+ customizable senior business finance analyst resume templates

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Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume
Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume
Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume
Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume
Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume
Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume
Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume
Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume
Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume
Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume
Senior Business Finance Analyst Resume

Compare different senior business finance analysts

Senior business finance analyst vs. Finance analyst-operations finance

Financial analysts are professionals who are in charge of the financial operations of businesses. The analysts analyze results, monitor variances, determine trends, and suggest management-related actions to improve corporate finances. They reconcile transactions through data comparison and correction. It is their duty to maintain the database through data input, verification, and backup. They produce presentations restating fiscal information used by supervisors, administrators, and others. This position requires skills in financial reporting, management, communications skills, and accounting qualification.

If we compare the average senior business finance analyst annual salary with that of a finance analyst-operations finance, we find that finances analyst-operations finances typically earn a $30,526 lower salary than senior business finance analysts make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both senior business finance analyst and finance analyst-operations finance positions are skilled in financial analysis, project management, and hyperion.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior business finance analyst responsibilities require skills like "business process," "shared services," "provide management," and "sr." Meanwhile a typical finance analyst-operations finance has skills in areas such as "financial operations," "customer service," "strong analytical," and "co-op." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Finances analyst-operations finances really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $93,042. Comparatively, senior business finance analysts tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $115,420.finances analyst-operations finances tend to reach lower levels of education than senior business finance analysts. In fact, finances analyst-operations finances are 8.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Senior business finance analyst vs. Finance systems analyst

A finance systems analyst specializes in overseeing the financial systems in a company or business. Their responsibilities revolve around producing reports and presentations, liaising with the information technology team, maintaining information on databases, and monitoring and updating the financial systems. One must also handle spreadsheets and other files, modify menus, troubleshoot errors, and teach the finance staff how to use all courses for a smooth workflow. Furthermore, it is essential to implement all policies and regulations, ensuring all files' security within the database.

On average, finance systems analysts earn a $12,467 lower salary than senior business finance analysts a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both senior business finance analysts and finance systems analysts have skills such as "financial analysis," "project management," and "hyperion. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior business finance analyst resumes. While senior business finance analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "sql," "provide management," "sr," and "portfolio," finance systems analysts use skills like "customer service," "bi," "strong analytical," and "user support."

Finance systems analysts earn a lower average salary than senior business finance analysts. But finance systems analysts earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $90,823. Additionally, senior business finance analysts earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $115,420 annually.finance systems analysts earn lower levels of education than senior business finance analysts in general. They're 6.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior business 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.

Senior business finance analyst vs. Business manager-finance manager

A business manager/finance manager is responsible for handling the financial transactions of an organization, analyzing financial reports, and monitor investment activities. Business managers/finance managers strategize effective techniques to boost the organization's financial performance and identify business opportunities to increase revenues. They also prepare financial statements and assist senior management in making corporate decisions by conducting data and statistical analysis by studying market trends. A business manager/finance manager must have excellent critical thinking and analytical skills, especially in calculating costs and expenses to minimize the company's loss and stabilize profits.

On average, business manager-finance managers earn higher salaries than senior business finance analysts, with a $7,774 difference per year.senior business finance analysts and business manager-finance managers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "financial analysis," "project management," and "hyperion," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior business finance analyst is likely to be skilled in "business process," "sql," "provide management," and "sr," while a typical business manager-finance manager is skilled in "oversight," "strong analytical," "cpa," and "payroll."

Business manager-finance managers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $115,910. Comparatively, senior business finance analysts have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $115,420.Most business manager-finance managers achieve a similar degree level compared to senior business finance analysts. For example, they're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior business finance analyst vs. Senior analyst

A senior analyst's responsibilities will vary in every organization or industry. However, their primary role is to gain an understanding of a company's strengths and weaknesses. Through this, they can devise strategies and determine new opportunities that would be significant in attaining financial gains and a more substantial client base. Furthermore, it is a senior analyst's responsibility to coordinate with various departments, and even clients, to establish a rapport that will be essential in gaining the needed information to catapult a company to its finest.

Senior analysts tend to earn a lower pay than senior business finance analysts by an average of $13,463 per year.According to resumes from senior business finance analysts and senior analysts, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "financial analysis," "project management," and "hyperion. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior business finance analysts and senior analysts, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior business finance analyst might have more use for skills like "sql," "shared services," "provide management," and "sr." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior analysts require skills like "analytics," "tableau," "strong analytical," and "power bi. "

Senior analysts enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $91,818. For comparison, senior business finance analysts earn the highest salary in the finance industry.The average resume of senior analysts showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to senior business finance analysts. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 4.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.6%.

Types of senior business 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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