IFAS is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Operations Research Analyst to support a Department of Defense (DoD) client within the National Capital Region. The ideal candidate will have strong technical skills, specifically in MS Power BI, MS Power Automate, Excel, and Microsoft Access Macros, and a strong foundation in cost accounting principles, particularly as they relate to the federal government. In addition, the candidate must have a deep understanding of data analysis, process management, and business logic. In this role, you will be responsible for analyzing and reporting on the large datasets, conducting appropriate data validation and implementing data analyses and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. This will include analyzing and understanding complex data sets, identifying trends and variances, and providing insights to management to inform decision making. You will work closely with various branches and divisions to understand and support the client's cost analysis and review cycles, and you will also be responsible for developing and maintaining cost accounting reports and dashboards using tools such as Power BI, Excel, and Microsoft Access Macros This is an opportunity you won't want to miss! Join us today and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to making a difference. If you are interested in a challenge and a great working environment, apply today!

Responsibilities:

The specific duties include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

• Applies scientific, mathematic, and statistical methodologies to the study and analysis of technological problems in relation to financial development of processes, systems, and equipment. 

• Uses mathematical and computerized modeling and other analytical techniques, to design procedures and execute these procedures for enhancing and improve financial systems

• Serve as the technical point-of-contact for State United States Property Fiscal Officer Cost Accountants

• Produce reports and dashboard using Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft Power Automate, and other data tools.

• Analyze and develop and other periodic reviews/reports to support the client's cost analysis and review cycle at the appropriate level and for required cost elements on a monthly, quarterly, and/or annual basis.

• Identify trends and variances in cost data and provide insights to management

• Develop and maintain cost accounting metrics, reports, and dashboards using Power BI, Excel, and Microsoft Access Macros

• Write and maintain macros in Microsoft Access to automate data analysis and reporting

• Consolidate, interpret and present data in reports/dashboards for internal and external stakeholders focused on budget and financial Information. 

• Project current year obligations for the 54 states/territories and programs 

• Analyze historical funding trends while being able to explain in writing the changes in funding between and within fiscal year

• Analyze historical disbursement trends

• Produce Monthly Execution Review (MER)

• Maintain a daily status of funds and metrics

• Integrate information from financial systems (Resource Management (RM) Online, (General Fund Enterprise Business System) GFEBS and Operational Data Store (ODS)) for Base and OCO funds.

• Update and maintain a tracking system for major account categories, Budget Execution (BE) and Program Managers (PM).

• Produce a Leader Summary daily report and state/territories Metrics Brief

• Utilize a deep understanding of data analysis, process management, and business logic to inform decision making and drive continuous improvement

• Ensure compliance with federal cost accounting standards and regulations

• Co-author and submit a Monthly Status Report (MSR)

• Assist to integrate information from financial systems (Resource Management (RM) Online, (General Fund Enterprise Business System) GFEBS and Operational Data Store (ODS)) data/information.

• Create, maintain, and support daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual analysis and reviews, to include but not limited to:

o Projections/Spend Plan Analysis

o Prior Year Unexpended Balances Analysis

o Daily Status of Funds (SOF)

o Senior Leader Summary

o Mid-year Appropriation Review

o End of Fiscal Year (EOFY) SOF

o Decision Support Tools

o Funds Control Balance

• Strawman Support

o Create, support, and update distribution plan

o Produce files/reports as needed

• Cost Accounting Analysis

o Produce monthly reports and provide data to support the Cost Accounting Analysis (CAER)

o Provide analysis of established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

o Coordinate and participate in monthly meetings

o Assist in designing monthly and periodic reports 

o Create and monitor monthly cost accounting scorecards

• Project current year execution based on historical averages

• Produce the Monthly Execution Review (MER) slides

• Maintain a Daily Status of Funds

• Produce monthly reports and support the CAER

• Create monthly cost accounting scorecard and publish on GKO

• Develop decision support tools that support PBAC process decision making process and analyze courses of action

• Build and maintain appropriate spreadsheet tools to assist budget execution team 

• Reviews periodic Cost of War (COW) reports from ASA(FMC) and OUSD(C) for Army National Guard Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) reports

• Create statistical object reporting tools as operationally required for emergent Army, DoD or Congressional reporting requirements

• Maintain and update tools for analyzing and reporting ARNG MILPERS

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail

• Strong written communication skills including experience with reports and presentations for executive audiences

Qualifications:

• United States citizenship is required

• All successful candidates must be COVID-19 vaccinated

• Eligible for a Secret clearance

• Technical or Scientific MS or MA degree from an accredited US College or University

• 10 years in related field and relevant experience, to include capital planning, decision-making modeling, operations and maintenance planning, financial management, project management and strategic business support or relevant experience. 

• Strong understanding and experience with President’s Budget Requests; Congressional Marks; Program Budget Advisory Committee (PBAC) Withholds; Execution year transfer/reprogramming; Un-programmed Requirements (UFR) / Unfunded Requirements (UFR) paid; migration of funds and End of Fiscal Year turn-ins.

• Familiarization with Program Budget Guidance (PBG) Obligation, percentage Allotment Obligation, and percentage Unliquidated Obligation (ULO)), Congressional Marks, 

• Strong technical skills, specifically in Power BI, Excel, and Microsoft Access Macros

• Knowledge of the Planning, Programming, Budget, Execution (PPBE) process

• Knowledge of the cost accounting principles, particularly as they relate to the federal government

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a deep understanding of data analysis, process management, and business logic

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with advanced skills in Excel and Microsoft Access

• Experience writing and maintaining macros in Microsoft Access

• Strong communication and presentation skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Familiarity with federal cost accounting standards and regulations

 IFAS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class.