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Variance Analysis Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Analyst, FP&A

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

Lead monthly variance analysis, identifying root causes of budget deviations and translating findings into clear narratives for leadership. * Standardize the tracking and reporting of critical ...

Financial Analyst

Upland, CA · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Perform variance analysis and identify business trends. * Support budgeting, forecasting, and month-end reporting. * Develop ad hoc reports for leadership. * Partner with Accounting and Operations to ...

Perform detailed variance analysis and identify key financial and operational drivers impacting performance against plan, forecast, and prior periods. * Build structured hypotheses, extract and ...

Variance Analysis & Forecasting: Drive the monthly rolling forecast cycle, delivering deep-dive budget-to-actual variance analysis and actionable, narrative-driven insights to the executive team. * P ...

$100K - $124K/yr

This position also plays an active role in FP&A activities, including forecasting, variance analysis, business case development, and analytics support, with a particular focus on cash flow, working ...

Conduct variance analysis and explain discrepancies. * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve financial processes. Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or ...

Sr. FP&A Analyst

Torrance, CA · On-site

$1.5K/mo

Perform detailed variance analysis and identify key financial and operational drivers impacting performance against plan, forecast, and prior periods. * Build structured hypotheses, extract and ...

Showing results 41-60

Variance Analysis information

See California salary details

$16

$27

$40

How much do variance analysis jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for variance analysis in California is $27.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.79 and $30.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is variance analysis?

A Variance Analysis job involves examining financial data to identify differences between projected and actual figures. Professionals in this role analyze cost, revenue, and budget variances to determine reasons for discrepancies and provide insights for financial decision-making. They collaborate with accounting and finance teams to enhance forecasting accuracy and cost control. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are crucial for success in this role.

What are the primary responsibilities of someone in a variance analysis role?

Professionals in Variance Analysis are primarily responsible for comparing actual financial outcomes to budgeted or forecasted figures, identifying the reasons for any differences, and communicating these findings to management. Their daily tasks may include preparing variance reports, working closely with different departments to gather data, and recommending corrective actions based on their analyses. This role often involves regular meetings with finance and operational teams to ensure alignment and provide insights that support financial planning and performance improvement. By thoroughly investigating variances, individuals in this position play a critical part in organizations' budgeting cycles and overall financial health.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the variance analysis position, and why are they important?

To excel in Variance Analysis, you typically need a strong background in finance or accounting, analytical thinking, and attention to detail, often supported by a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Expertise in financial software, advanced Excel skills, and familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP or Oracle are highly beneficial, and certifications like CPA or CMA can be advantageous. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and the capability to distill complex data into actionable insights help professionals stand out. These skills ensure accurate interpretation of budget deviations, enable constructive collaboration with cross-functional teams, and support strategic decision-making within organizations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Variance Analysis jobs in California?

The most popular types of Variance Analysis jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Variance Analysis jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Variance Analysis jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Variance Analysis job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,305 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

Senior Analyst, FP&A

Samba

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

Samba is a media intelligence company. We know what the world is watching, reading, and thinking about - in real time, at scale, across every screen. Our data exists with the consent of over a billion people, organized into the most complete picture of consumer attention ever built. The biggest brands in the world use that picture to make smarter decisions. We think it's the most interesting data asset on the planet, because it's the most culturally relevant.
What You'll Do
  • Financial Planning & Modeling
  • Maintain and evolve the company's integrated financial models, including detailed P&L, balance sheet schedules, working capital dynamics, and long-term cash flow projections.
  • Build new models from scratch as business needs evolve-translating complex operational and contractual structures into accurate GAAP and cash forecasts.
  • Drive the annual budgeting and rolling forecast cycles, synthesizing cross-functional inputs to produce projections that inform executive and Board-level decisions.
  • Lead monthly variance analysis, identifying root causes of budget deviations and translating findings into clear narratives for leadership.
  • Standardize the tracking and reporting of critical business metrics, including ARR, NRR, CAC, and unit economics.

  • Infrastructure & Process
  • Contribute to the long-term design of a scalable financial architecture, including the migration from spreadsheet-based planning to dedicated FP&A systems
  • Develop and document standard operating procedures to ensure consistency, accuracy, and scalability in financial reporting
  • Partner with the Finance team during month-end close to validate accruals, reconcile data, and ensure alignment with GAAP reporting

  • Business Partnership
  • Serve as the dedicated finance partner for functional leaders across the organization, including revenue and product teams
  • Collaborate with department heads to build bottoms-up budgets, manage headcount planning, and evaluate ROI on strategic initiatives
  • Provide quantitative analysis and strategic support for capital allocation decisions, special projects, and ad-hoc operational initiatives

Who You Are
  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related quantitative field.
  • 2-4 years of progressive experience in FP&A, Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, or Transaction Services.
  • Advanced financial modeling skills with demonstrated ability to build integrated, multi-schedule models from scratch-including cash flow timing, capitalization logic, and scenario analysis.
  • Strong understanding of accrual accounting and how operational decisions flow through to the full set of financial statements.
  • Demonstrated aptitude for learning and implementing financial software; experience with ERP and planning systems preferred.

  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Background in SaaS, AdTech, or Media industries with an understanding of recurring revenue dynamics.
  • Experience in a high-growth or pre-IPO environment where financial processes were built or significantly improved.
  • Familiarity with data visualization tools and SQL.
  • Proven ability to partner effectively with operational leaders on budget management and variance analysis.

Skills & Competencies
  • Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of the interplay between P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow.
  • Analytical Rigor: Uncompromising commitment to accuracy and logical model construction.
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect detailed financial data to broader business objectives.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment while maintaining focus under tight deadlines.
  • Communication: Ability to distill complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders.

What Success Looks Like in This Role
  • The operational models are maintained as reliable, accurate reflections of current business performance-including the full balance sheet and cash impact of key business activities.
  • Monthly reporting is delivered on time with clear variance explanations and actionable insights.
  • Financial systems and processes evolve toward greater automation and scalability.
  • Department heads view Finance as a valued partner in managing budgets and optimizing spend.
  • Financial processes are documented, scalable, and continuously improved.

#LI-CH
$125,000 - $150,000 a year
Samba is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We strive to empower connection with one another, reflect the communities we serve, and tackle meaningful projects that make a real impact.
Samba may collect personal information directly from you, as a job applicant, Samba may also receive personal information from third parties, for example, in connection with a background, employment or reference check, in accordance with the applicable law. For further details, please see Samba's Applicant Privacy Policy For residents of the EU , Samba Inc. is the data controller.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.