Sr. Financial Analyst

The Financial Analyst will be embedded within the SWBU and will aid in the preparation of the budgeting, forecasting and reporting cycle, drive monthly accruals, and lead the reconciliation of actuals to forecast across the business unit. Key focus areas include collaboration on production, capital and expense forecasts with the planning team for submission to FP&A, leading well-level reconciliation to budget and guidance, and leading recurring management reporting. Success in this role requires strong Claude, Excel and data visualization skills and the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with a wide range of departments and stakeholders.

Essential Roles & Responsibilities

Collaborate closely with engineering team on the SWBU monthly, quarterly and annual forecast process for production, capital and expense, driving coordination between the planning team, Ops team and management to maintain the quality and timeliness of submissions to the FP&A organization

Own the monthly capital accrual for the SWBU, with accountability for accuracy

Collaborate with the asset team to aid in the monthly non-operated (NonOp) accrual and improve tracking process

Own the tracking of working interest changes between model and actuals, determining amounts requiring accrual and work to deliver an updated process to reduce PPA's

Own the volume accrual, with accountability for minimizing prior period adjustments (PPAs)

Lead the monthly detailed reconciliation of actuals to budget, guidance and prior month estimates on a well-by-well basis, translating variance drivers into recommendations to management when appropriate

Create and own a live dashboard enabling management to drill down on actuals versus forecast and identify where forecasts are missing, and deliver guidance based on findings each month

Own QA/QC of data coming into the model, ensuring actuals align across teams; resolve discrepancies, drive corrective action where issues are apparent in the system, and correct known issues

Prepare and lead the monthly SWBU scorecard review with management

Develop financial models for the BU to help validate and QC results on forecasts will tie closely to actuals

Aid in development of SWBU inputs to the Guidance presentation for Investor Relations

Serve as the trusted advisor to stakeholders on SWBU financial and operational questions, resolving ad hoc requests

Identify, recommend, and lead the implementation of process and report improvements within the SWBU

Other duties as assigned

Role-Specific Technical Knowledge & Skills

Actively involved or lead projects and display a high level of accountability and initiative with responsibilities

Strong analytical, decision making and problem-solving skills

Applies advanced knowledge of areas of responsibilities

Ability to build and maintain models and dashboards that translate large, detailed data sets into clear and actionable insight for management

Ability to work efficiently independently as well as effectively within a team environment

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, able to articulate ideas clearly and effectively in a variety of settings and with diverse audiences, including presenting to leadership

High attention to detail, consistently ensuring accuracy and precision in all tasks and deliverables

Strong organizational and time management skills, enabling efficient planning and execution of work to meet established deadlines

Demonstrates high integrity and consistently upholds ethical standards while maintaining a strong work ethic to ensure the highest level of trust and accountability in all responsibilities

Utilizes critical thinking skills to analyze complex problems, assess various perspectives, and develop innovative solutions that drive informed decision-making and enhance overall organizational efficiency

Must be a self-starter, able to identify work that needs to be done and do it without being instructed to do so

Typical Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or finance or related degree. MBA a plus.

8+ years' experience in oil and gas finance, planning or accounting required; Operations experience heavily preferred

Proficient in Microsoft products (Outlook, Excel, Word) required with advanced skills in Excel in particular

SAP, Hyperion experience required, WellView experience preferred

Experience building reports and dashboards in Spotfire or Claude preferred

Experience with reserves, planning or forecasting software preferred

SM Energy offers competitive compensation and benefits programs which include, but are not limited to, variable pay, health care coverage, retirement plan, protection coverage, time off and leave programs, training and development opportunities and a range of allowances connected to specific work situations. Details are available at Careers :: SM Energy Company (SM) (sm-energy.com).

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.