Role Overview
The Financial Data Specialist gathers, reconciles, and analyzes member-submitted data to produce accurate financial and operational reporting. You will investigate anomalies, maintain data integrity, and coordinate directly with member companies to meet reporting deadlines and standards. This is a hands-on role that blends data analysis with direct member communication. You should be comfortable examining issues within spreadsheets and systems, and equally comfortable joining calls to clarify requirements and resolve discrepancies.
Key Responsibilities
- Own data reporting requirements for assigned members; translate requirements into clear inputs, validations, and outputs.
- Collect, reconcile, and route financial and operational data for a portfolio of member companies, consistently meeting deadlines.
- Analyze submissions to identify trends, anomalies, and discrepancies; trace impacts through to report outputs.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned members; communicate requirements proactively and resolve issues with business owners and finance leaders.
- Support onboarding of new member firms by teaching reporting standards and ensuring first submissions are accurate and complete.
- Identify and implement process improvements that reduce rework and improve data collection efficiency.
- Maintain and enhance team datasets and tools used to organize, validate, and report member data.
- Maintain data integrity and confidentiality; follow internal standards for accuracy and handling of member information.
- Collaborate with BI teammates on shared accounts, escalations, and special projects.
Required Skills and Experience
- Advanced Excel skills (3+ years) working with complex financial datasets.
- Foundational financial reporting knowledge and comfort with accounting concepts.
- Strong analytical and investigative abilities; you enjoy identifying root causes and fixing data issues.
- Member-facing communication skills; comfortable initiating outreach, clarifying requirements, and following up.
- Self-directed and adaptable; able to prioritize, make sound decisions, and move work forward in a dynamic environment.
- Detail-oriented under deadline with strong organizational skills and follow-through.
- Comfort switching between focused data work and responsive member support.
- Nice to have: experience with Power BI or similar BI tools.
What Makes You A Good Fit
- You pick up new situations quickly, communicate proactively, and balance accuracy with speed when deadlines approach.
- You are comfortable working with partial information, ask the right questions, and drive issues to resolution.
Attributes and Experience
- 3+ years of experience in data analysis, financial reporting, or a related role
- Based in Bellingham, WA and on-site availability
- Detail oriented
- Investigative mindset
- Self-driven
- Organized
- Adaptable
- Strong communicator comfortable working directly with business owners and CFOs
Company Culture and Values
Study Groups aims to bring people together and create value for members through trust, service, and continuous improvement. The organization connects non-competing peers to share insights, solve problems, and boost performance. Since 1985, Study Groups has supported 700+ members across 325+ companies and maintains a robust comparative database to help operators become more efficient and profitable.
Mission and Vision
Mission: To create permanent value and lasting friendships for our members through education and sharing in an environment of trust.
Vision: We strive to work with 500 unique companies and 1,000 members across three industries by 2027.
Location, Schedule and Benefits
Location: Bellingham, WA 98229. This role is on-site, with hybrid remote options possible in the Bellingham area.
Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Benefits include:
- Health and dental insurance
- Retirement plan
- Section 125 health and/or childcare cafeteria program
- Competitive PTO and sick leave
- Paid holidays
- Up to five additional paid volunteer days
Preferred Experience
- Microsoft Excel: 3+ years working with complex financial datasets
- Customer or member-facing support: 1+ year
- Accounting or business financial reporting: 1+ year
- Power BI or similar BI tools: a plus
Compensation
Pay: $55,000.00 to $65,000.00 per year
Additional Details
Only candidates with suitable authorization to work in the United States will be considered.
