Financial Analyst

Qualifications: 3-4 years experience in managing telecom financials, experience with Telecom Expense Management Solutions (TEM) such as Tangoe, experience with Wired and Wireless expense management, knowledge of data and voice networks including telephony infrastructure, knowledge of network terminology. Responsibilities: Purpose: NiSource is seeking a lead IT Analyst focused in the Telecom domain whose primary responsibility is to manage telecom financials, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost optimization. This role will ensure financial accuracy by reconciling transactions, reviewing expenses, and submitting accruals at month-end. The analyst will work closely with our Telecom Expense Management (TEM) provider Tangoe, external vendors, collaborate with managed network services provider, and internal IT teams for monitoring and managing steady state operations. Essential responsibilities: " Telecom Expense Management o Prepare and ensure monthly financial activities are executed on timely basis � Ensuring all entries are accurate and posted to the correct accounts � Comparing actual financial results to budgeted figures and investigating significant variances. � Providing detailed financial reports and analyses to management for decision-making � Ensuring that transactions are reconciled and accurately recorded � Reviewing and categorizing expenses to ensure they are accurately recorded. � Recording any necessary accruals and adjusting entries for expenses incurred but not yet recorded. o Manage fixed wireline and wireless expenses o Investigate telecom usage charges with the help of invoices and customer service representative o Perform invoice analysis to identify billing error, discrepancies and opportunities for savings o Manage invoices for accuracy and timely payout o Monthly telecom expense forecasts, track the net new adds/disconnects by month. o Resolve telco and business groups queries related to invoices and payments information on timely basis. o Run and analyze reports for example other vendor billing, pricing inconsistency, and include them in issue tracker. o Telecom cost optimization o Timely and accurate IT service provider contract amendments, changes, updates and associated documentation and archival " Operations o Maintain a telecom inventory database (MACD: Move, Add, Change, Disconnection) o Maintain wireless order management o Monitor outsourced contract performance and compliance, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions o Initiate RFP/RFQ for network services, negotiations and contract management o Implement process improvements o Perform audits to ensure contract compliance and performance Essential Technical Knowledge: " Experience with Telecom Expense Management Solutions (TEM) such as Tangoe. " Experience with Wired and Wireless expense management " Knowledge of data and voice networks including telephony infrastructure " Knowledge of network terminology. " Collaboration and office tools proficiency Essential Experience: " Ability to work effectively in an outsourced IT environment " Experience with managing Service Providers " Experience with managing technology costs " Ability to identify group conflict and facilitate resolution " Ability to prioritize work effectively " Familiarity with the standards and best practices bodies i.e. ITIL, Six Sigma/LEAN etc. " ITSM and Project management " Ability to learn new concepts quickly " Excellent analytical abilities, including process analysis and development, and problem solving " Working knowledge of industry-specific regulatory requirements (i.e., SOX, State and Federal, etc.) " Experience working with a variety of technologies within a domain " Experience with and knowledge of legacy and new computing architectures " Advanced skills with computers, MS Office Suite, MS Project, and Visio " Ability to think technically then translate into clear verbal and written communications for technical and non-technical audiences " Create documents and presentations " Self-driven with the ability to juggle multiple workstreams and priorities " Experience of ServiceNow is highly desirable " ITIL certification is preferred