Financial Analyst

Financial AnalystThe Financial Analyst collaborates with the highest-level to manage financial functions and assess performance of the firm. The ideal candidate must have superb organization skills, exceptional attention to detail, and high ownership of responsibilities. This is a critical, deadline-driven role in an organization with high growth trajectory - a great opportunity for those who value broad responsibilities and seek opportunities for accelerated professional growth.This position is full-time, direct hire, located in Houston, Texas.ResponsibilitiesFinancial, Analytical and Reporting FunctionsProvide financial planning, reporting, and analysis support for the Network Office and Financial Advisors.Co-lead the annual office production goal setting, financial budgeting, long-term forecasting, and business planning processes.Prepare and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly reporting, including sales and production results, activity tracking, contest qualifications, program payments, cash flow, and budget variance reporting.Enhance and maintain reporting tools, dashboards, and performance tracking systems to improve data accessibility, reporting efficiency, and business decision-making.Track advisor activity, production stipends, and program qualifications; analyze program effectiveness and identify opportunities to improve performance.Build financial models and provide analytical support to office leaders and Financial Advisors to inform business decisions.Review and track leadership compensation splits, advisor incentives, and office cost-sharing arrangements.Support leadership with ad hoc projects, scenario analysis, ROI evaluation, performance assessment, and related reporting.Accounting FunctionsMaintain accurate accounting records for the office using Northwestern Mutual's Field Financial System.Manage the month-end close process, including timely review, reconciliation, and reporting activities.Oversee monthly accounts payable, accounts receivable, and credit card payment processes.Prepare, review, and reconcile general ledger entries, including the classification of office credit card charges.Manage interoffice invoicing, cost allocations, and shared expense calculations.Monitor banking activity and complete monthly bank reconciliations.Prepare and maintain semi-monthly cash flow forecasts to support liquidity planning and financial decision-making.Review monthly financial statements, production results, and variance analyses to evaluate office performance, identify trends, and support leadership decision-making.Support monthly financial reviews with office leadership and prepare required financial reporting submissions.Administer year-end 1099 reporting and issuance for the office.Partner with the outside CPA on tax payments, preparation, and filing of annual federal and state tax returns.Partner with technology and office teams to maintain accurate fixed-asset and inventory records.Commissions ProcessingProcess semi-monthly Financial Representative (FR) commissions payments - review/release ACH, address advisor questions and administer commission escrow and production allowance.Oversee manual compensation and fee-split calculations performed by the external accounting team, ensuring accuracy and compliance with established compensation arrangements.Maintain commission and fee-split calculation schedules and ensure all compensation data remains accurate and current.Manage commission processing calendars and payment timelines to ensure all payment deadlines are met.Administer financial representative rent recoveries and office usage charges.Manage commission processing timelines and payment calendars to ensure all deadlines are met.Monitor financial representative indebtedness and process collection procedures, as necessary.Administer and track Financial Representative mobility activities and associated compensation impacts.Staff Payroll & Benefits AdministrationAdminister and process payroll activities for office staff.Administer and process 401(k) plan deferrals and employer match.Maintain annual recordkeeping for 401(k) plan.Administer and input all new hires, employee Adds/Changes/Deletes, for payroll, health benefits, retirement plans, status changes, and data updates as required.Success in This Role100% accuracy on reporting.Meet accounting, commissions, and reporting deadlines with no exception.Hold external accounting team accountable on accuracy and timeliness of deliverables.Hold office staff accountable for delivering operation excellence.Exceptional customer service feedback based on responsiveness, quality of work and helpfulness.Always growing personally and professionally and improving organization performance by bringing Insights, Input, Ingenuity, and Initiatives daily.QualificationsBachelor's degree in accounting or finance preferred.Strong proficiency in MS Excel, including formulas and functions, pivot tables, VLOOKUP's, nested IF statements, including advanced functions.Possess strong quantitative and analytical skills.Excellent communication skills, able to communicate professionally at all levels.High sense of urgency and ability to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.Impeccable attention to detail with superb organization skills and ability to multi-task.Minimum 3 years of financial modeling and projection, financial reporting, budgeting, accounting cycle and payroll management experience.Ability to maintain utmost confidentiality.BenefitsNorthwestern Mutual Houston is committed to building a team that loves what they do and creating a work environment that supports long-term career growth. The compensation package includes:Comprehensive medical coverage with employer contribution.Safe Harbor 401(k) with employer match.Annual discretionary bonus opportunity.Generous paid time off (PTO) and holiday pay.Employer-paid life and disability insurance.Dynamic career growth opportunities.Employer-sponsored licensing, professional development, and education opportunities.Flexible work arrangements, where applicable.Compensation & Bonus OpportunityBase salary: $77,000-$115,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.Eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance and execution excellence.