Water Utility Financial Data Analyst

Golden State Water Company is one of the largest investor-owned water utilities in the United States. We deliver quality, reliable water to more than 1 million people in over 80 communities throughout California. Golden State Water has been in business for more than 90 years because we put customers first.

Position Description

The Water Utility Financial Data Analyst (Analyst) transforms raw financial and operational data into actionable insights to drive business strategy and performance. This role requires a blend of financial expertise, technical data analysis skills, and business acumen to support forecasting, budgeting, profitability analysis, and decision-making. The ideal candidate will be proficient in data manipulation, statistical analysis, and financial modeling, with the ability to communicate findings effectively to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.

The Analyst collaborates with key GSWC stakeholders to understand business objectives, identify analytical needs, and develop business intelligence deliverables that assess performance against goals.

Accountability

The Analyst reports to the Operation Financial Analyst Supervisor and works closely with a number of stakeholders and executive leaders across GSWC. The Analyst also works in an environment that includes sensitive and confidential data and information; therefore, the Analyst must have the ability to achieve policy objectives related to data and information control and governance, including accountability for confidentiality of information. The incumbent in this position must work independently, exercise initiative and judgment in the performance of a broad range of responsibilities, including the ability to communicate with a diverse group of employees, executives and external consultants, to ensure understanding of P&A goals, objectives and organizational policies and procedures.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

- Collaborates with the Operation Financial Analyst Supervisor to develop and execute a comprehensive analytics and business intelligence strategy for GSWC

- Extracts, cleanses and validates financial data from multiple sources (ERP systems, accounting software, CRM, data warehouse, external databases)

- Conducts robust analysis to identify gaps, trends, and patterns, providing actionable insights for strategic decision-making

- Applies advanced techniques in large-scale data compilation and mining to uncover meaningful patterns in accounting and operational data

- Ensures data integrity by identifying and resolving discrepancies, missing entries, or anomalies

- Develops and maintains lookup and mapping tables to ensure data consistency and accuracy across various datasets

- Utilizes relational database management skills, adhering to data quality, security, and governance standards

- Develops, designs, and refines key business metrics to evaluate Water Utility Group performance

- Creates interactive dashboards (PowerBI, Tableau, Excel) to visualize KPIs, trends and business performance

- Automates and streamlines financial reporting using tools like Excel, SQL, Python, or BI platforms

- Collaborates with end users to enhance the data management and analytical infrastructure

- Conducts Data Quality analysis to ensure accuracy and reliability of data used for decision-making

- Performs complex troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and solution development to address challenges, and enhance system efficiency

- Facilitates the integration of business processes, people, and relevant technology to deliver actionable insights.

- Assists in the development of the General Rate Case in close coordination with others by providing relevant financial reports and other supporting documents, ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Sarbanes Oxley requirements, in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounting and data security standards for water utility

- Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Position Qualifications

Education and Experience

- Bachelor’s degree in applied Math, Computer Science, Finance or related discipline - 3+ years of progressive experience in areas related to data management and financial accounting

- Proven experience as a Data Analyst or in a similar role preferred

Technical Skills

- Advance Excel (Pivot Tables, Power Query, VBA, complex formulas)

- Proficiency in database analysis and programming tools (SQL, Python, R., ETL, Azure, Power Platform) preferred

- Experience with data visualization tools (example PowerBI, Tableau) preferred

Key Competencies

- Strong analytical, quantitative and problem-solving abilities

- Detail oriented with a high degree of accuracy

- Ability to conduct research, analyze data, and resolve complex issues independently

- Proven ability to multi-task, meet tight deadlines, and thrive in fast-paced environment

- Critical thinking skills with minimal supervision required

- High level of discretion, maturity, and professionalism

- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills

Qualities of a Successful Data Analyst

- Passion for empirical research data-driven decision making

- Trustworthy with strong personal integrity

- Accountable, disciplined, and results-driven

- Strong impact and Influencing skills

- Collaborative and team oriented

- Emotionally mature and professional

- High degree of initiative; a self-starter

May include but not limited to standing, climbing, walking, lifting, bending, pulling and/or pushing, grasping, reaching, stooping and crouching, sitting, typing, walking, reading, writing, color determination, speaking and listening for extended periods of time.

Benefits

Our Company supports our employees with rich benefit programs and resources to help them thrive today and prepare for tomorrow. Benefit options include medical, dental, and vision plans with the Company currently paying 85% of the monthly premium for employees and their eligible dependents. We also offer paid vacation and sick time and twelve Company paid holidays per year. To help our employees plan for the future, we offer both a 401(k) retirement plan as well as a Defined Contribution Profit Sharing retirement plan. Additional benefits include life, AD&D, and LTD insurance as well as health savings account and flexible spending plans.

Compensation Information

The compensation range provided is in compliance with state specific laws. Multiple factors are used to determine the actual starting rate of pay for all of our positions, including specific skills, years of experience, education, certification(s), and other job related factors.

The responsibilities of this position will involve access to information that may be considered confidential, private and sensitive. Therefore, the individual filling this position will be required to both allow and pass a background check.

NOTE: Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions.