Budget Specialist

Job Summary:

The Budget Specialist is responsible for supporting the company's financial planning and analysis efforts through effective budgeting, monitoring, and reporting processes. This role will handle the annual budgeting cycle, track budget utilization across sites and departments, ensure alignment with financial goals, and provide timely insights to key decision-makers. In addition to core budget responsibilities, the Budget Specialist will be involved in strategic analysis, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure high-impact financial support across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Budget Planning & Management

• Assist in the preparation and consolidation of the annual company-wide budget, coordinating inputs from all departments and business units.
• Review, validate, and process budget requests from all locations and departments.
• Maintain and update the budget tracking system, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Monitor actual spending vs. approved budgets, and flag departments when spending hits 30% or exceeds budget limits.
• Manage budget adjustments and reforecasting based on operational changes.
• Support project-based budgeting, ensuring special initiatives stay within financial targets.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Conduct monthly budget performance reviews, identify variances, and prepare summaries with actionable insights.
• Develop and deliver monthly budget reports and dashboards to stakeholders and executive management.
• Assist during internal and external audits by preparing necessary budget-related documentation.

Cross-functional Collaboration & Support

• Work closely with department heads, procurement, and HR for headcount tracking, capital expenditures, and resource planning.
• Act as a budget coach or advisor to departments with low budget literacy by offering guidance or mini-training sessions.
• Assist in the development of ROI or cost-benefit analyses for key projects or spending initiatives.
• Provide scenario modeling and what-if analysis to support strategic and operational decision-making.

Process Improvement & Strategic Initiatives

• Continuously improve budget policies, procedures, and tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Participate in or lead automation and budgeting system enhancement projects.
• Support or initiate cost optimization initiatives, internal benchmarking, or budget efficiency reviews.
• Create and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for budget-related processes and policies.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies and internal controls.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accountancy, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• At least 2-4 years of experience in budgeting, financial analysis, or FP&A roles.
• Proficiency in Excel, Google Sheets, and familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite).
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and attention-to-detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize deadlines, and work independently or cross-functionally.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA, or working towards a certification (e.g., CMA, CFA), or MBA units is a plus.
• Experience working in multi-site or regional companies.
• Knowledge of data visualization tools like Power BI, Tableau, or Google Data Studio.
• Familiarity with project budgeting, cost accounting, or financial modeling.

Key Competencies:

• Financial Planning & Analysis
• Budget Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Reporting & Visualization
• Strategic Thinking
• Process Optimization
• Initiative and Ownership

This role offers a dynamic work arrangement - starting with an onsite setup in Makati for the first three months to support onboarding and collaboration. After this period, it transitions to a hybrid schedule, with four days onsite and one day of remote work each week.