Financial Cost Analyst Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

This Senior Financial Analyst/Cost Modeler position is located within the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Resource Management Unit (RMU). RMU serves as the primary strategic planning and oversight body for bureau-level resource management. It is responsible for developing and maintaining the bureau’s strategic plan, establishing regulations, and prioritizing resources to align with mission objectives. RMU generates requirements, conducts cost of service modeling, and negotiates with interagency service requesters and intradepartmental service providers to secure necessary resources and services. Additionally, the RMU ensures transparency and accountability in resource allocation by coordinating with other bureaus and offices to align with Department-wide policies and standards. Through its strategic focus, the RMU provides the framework for effective resource management, enabling the bureau to meet its operational and strategic goals efficiently. The salary range (or hiring range) for this exempt position has been established at: $130,000- $140,000. The above salary range represents the company’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. In addition, we offer a variety of benefits including company holidays, paid time off, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life and disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, as well as 401K with company match. This job will be posted until filled or withdrawn. Major Duties: - Function as a Cost Modeler/Senior Financial Analyst performing expert analysis, coordination, and running of the Cost-of-Service Model (CoSM) software for the RMU.
- Drafts and delivers annual cost model updates per requirements from designated Government Point of Contact in collaboration with team.
- Serves as Costing expert for consular services.
- Uses knowledge of consular services and functions to verify the assumptions and calculations in the cost model
- Recommends fees for consular and reimbursable services in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies to ensure cost recovery.
- Analyzes unit costs to account for various scenarios that affect changes in workload, resources, costs, and policies. - Maintains multiple auditable versions of annual cost model data sets with multiple permutations that reflect various phases of the federal budget cycle and policy requirements.
- Uses advanced data analysis tools, including SQL, R, and Python to integrate data from multiple sources for analysis and integration into the cost modeling software.
- Recommend and implement changes to the model structures and processes to improve the balance of efficiency, accuracy, and precision of the annual cost analysis.
- Applies expert knowledge of consular services, fees, and collection authorities to assist with revenue and carryforward analysis. - Updates Standard Operating Procedures for maintaining the cost model, data collection integration, and data structure.
- Trains colleagues on the model, data collection, and software to support a whole team effort in efficient and accurate cost modeling.
- Participates in all team meetings as directed to included topics such as planning, preparation, data collection and analysis, data validation, modeling, model data validation, unit cost analysis, and fee and revenue analysis.
- Provides expert recommendations and innovations to take full advantage of cost modeling techniques, software, and policies to improve efficiency and accuracy of cost model.
- Other duties as required by the team and/or assigned by RMU leadership. Job Requirements: - Must be a U.S. citizen with a valid U.S. passport and possess or obtain/maintain a minimum SECRET clearance;
- Bachelor’s degree;
- 10 years of experience in project or program management;
- Expert knowledge and demonstrated use of Activity Based Costing (ABC) methodology;
- Expertise in working with large data extracts and files, including sorting expenditure data to format for fee modeling purposes;
- Knowledge and skills in utilizing user fee statutes, regulations and policies;
- Skills in advanced data analytic tools, including Python, R, SQL;
- Experience conducting risk analysis and statistical forecasting;
- Data visualization skills, particularly in PowerBI, R, and/or Tableau strongly preferred;
- Expert knowledge of data collection, manipulation, modeling, and analysis;
- Familiarity with federal financial systems preferred;
- Experience in providing documents, responding to findings, and creating responses for external audiences, including General Accountability Office (GAO) and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audits;
- Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Must possess a customer service approach, to include but not limited to people-first attitude, problem-solving and maintaining highest standards of personal/professional ethics;
- Must be Proficient in the use of Microsoft applications (MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel);
- Knowledge of and skill in use of various virtual meeting platforms to include Microsoft Teams, Webex, and Zoom with the ability to adapt to using other various remote work tools;
- Expert knowledge of and skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques in order to plan, schedule, and analyze complex processes;
- Department of State experience required; and
- Experience performing consular activities and processes, strongly preferred.