Finance Analyst
It's an exciting time to work at Cisco. Every single day we connect people to the network and make it come to life. Whether it's using e-learning to educate students far from city centers or downloading the entire Library of Congress in seconds, our networking technology has not only revolutionized the way people do things, but who they are. People are more informed, more efficient, and more involved. With all forms of communications converging onto the network, Cisco is entering an exciting new era. The concept of the network as the platform for transforming life's experiences is no longer a possibility: It is quickly becoming a reality. And Cisco is leading the experience.
As a Finance Analyst you will cultivate positive relationships with management and act as a trusted adviser while driving resource planning, forecast accuracy, reporting and analysis for operating expenses. You will also develop spending and profitability models and forecasts for the business by synthesizing inputs from cross-functional partners and finance. You will work collaboratively across all departments (Finance, Operations, Engineering, Marketing, Strategy) to develop forecasts and processes.
Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Partner with and own the budget and forecasting process for 2-3 departments within the Meraki BU.
• Responsible for creating monthly financial review packages covering those departments.
• Support analysis of assumptions that can change the forecast, such as portfolio decisions, priority changes, initiatives, attrition, new acquisitions, new business models etc. and provide recommendations to the executive teams and cross-functional finance teams.
• Provide valuable input into the monthly headcount and expense forecasts for the overall Business Unit.
• Act cross-functionally with all departments to drive forecast optimization and operational improvements.
• Articulate key drivers of growth and forecast changes to executive leads and challenge assumptions as needed.
• Support the Meraki organization to improve systems, processes, controls, simplification, and automation initiatives.

Who You'll Work With:
The BU Finance organization partners with leaders in Engineering and Operational Functions to build balanced shareholder value through strategic long-range planning, new business development, forecasting, and budgeting.
The BU Finance team has an opportunity within the Meraki business unit for a Finance Analyst role to work closely with the broader Engineering and Operations team for resource planning, forecasting, portfolio analysis, and directed Initiatives.
Who You Are:
You will be responsible for partnering with executives across the business to drive budgeting and forecasting decisions. Interpersonal skills are a must to success in this position. You should also be self-driven and possess a desire to continually improve on/build out new processes.

• Excellent communication and validated business partnering and teamwork skills; good at building and cultivating strong relationships with business partners.
• Able to work independently and be comfortable with ambiguity and change. Able to apply specific knowledge to new situations and requests.
• Curiosity and eagerness to learn, strong finance and analytical attitude and a structured approach to data analysis and problem-solving.
• Ability to understand and become proficient in business and finance models/processes/systems. Have a flair and affinity for financial reporting systems and applications.
• Highly motivated, self-starter, results-oriented with an ability to keep multiple priorities moving at the same time and drive projects to completion.
• Able to execute in a fast-paced cross functional matrixed environment, enjoy working cross functionally across all levels of the organization.
• Flexible at times to work with business partners in different time zones and long hours during project critical achievements.
• You bring a strong attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy in your work.

Our minimum requirements for this role:

• You hold a bachelor' Degree in Accounting / Finance with a minimum of 1-3 years of business, financial planning, and/or accounting experience.
• You exhibit excellent communication, partnership, and collaboration skills with executive leaders
• You are a self-starter who actively handles exciting results to meet business commitments and partner's expectations
• You have proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, with strong analysis skills

Desired Skills

• Strong process and tools and project management skills
• Proficiency in Essbase, Business Objects and Tableau

Cisco Covid-19 Vaccination Policy
The health and safety of Cisco's employees, customers, and partners is a top priority. Our goal is to protect and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 infection for strong business resiliency during the pandemic. Therefore, Cisco requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the U.S., unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law, and in countries where COVID-19 vaccination is legally required. The company will consider legally required accommodations/exceptions for medical, religious, and other reasons as per the requirements of the role and in accordance with applicable law. Additional information will be provided to candidates about the requirements and accommodation process at the offer time based on region.