Financial Analyst

# Finance Analyst ## About the Role Riverbend Energetics is seeking a detail-oriented Finance Analyst to join our Finance team supporting a 150-person defense contractor at the forefront of energetic components, detonator systems, and CAD/PAD technology. In this role, you will provide critical financial analysis and reporting that drives strategic decision-making across a highly regulated, mission-critical manufacturing environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional looking to build expertise within the U.S. defense industry. ## Key Responsibilities - Prepare, analyze, and distribute monthly financial reports, variance analyses, and management dashboards to support operational and executive leadership - Support the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes, working closely with department managers to develop accurate financial plans - Monitor program-level financial performance, tracking costs against budgets and identifying risks and opportunities in collaboration with program managers - Assist in the preparation and submission of financial data required for government contract compliance, including support for DCAA audits and FAR/DFARS cost accounting requirements - Perform accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger reconciliations to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial records - Analyze manufacturing costs, overhead rates, and indirect cost pools to support pricing and estimating activities for new and existing contracts - Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the Finance department, identifying opportunities to streamline processes and enhance reporting capabilities ## Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field - 2 years of experience in financial analysis, accounting, or a related finance role - Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling, pivot tables, and data analysis - Strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial reporting - Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment - Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present financial data clearly to non-financial stakeholders - Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain a U.S. government security clearance ## Preferred Qualifications - Experience in a government contracting environment with exposure to FAR/DFARS, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), or DCAA audit processes - Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) concepts and reporting - Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Deltek Costpoint, SAP, or similar platforms) - Knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting or experience supporting a production environment - Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above) - CPA, CMA, or active progress toward a professional certification ## What We Offer - Competitive salary and benefits package - The opportunity to contribute to nationally significant defense programs supporting U.S. warfighter readiness and national security - A collaborative, close-knit team environment where your analysis directly influences company strategy and operations - Tuition reimbursement and support for professional certifications to advance your finance career

Key Requirements

• Manufacturing Cost Accounting Aptitude: Riverbend is a manufacturing operation producing energetic components and detonator systems, not a services firm. Financial analysis here involves understanding bill-of-materials costs, labor absorption, overhead variance, and production-driven cost behavior. A candidate who only knows corporate FP&A or services-based accounting will struggle to provide meaningful insight to operations and program managers on the shop floor.
• Comfort Operating in Regulated or Compliance-Sensitive Environments: Riverbend's financial work is subject to government oversight, audit requirements, and strict cost accounting standards. While deep DCAA expertise is not expected at the 2 year level, a candidate who has worked in any compliance-sensitive environment — public accounting, healthcare, financial services, or regulated manufacturing — will adapt more quickly and take data integrity seriously rather than treating compliance as a bureaucratic burden.
• Precision Under Deadline Pressure: In a DCAA-audited, FAR-regulated environment, financial errors are not just internal problems — they can trigger audit findings, contract disputes, or penalties with government customers. At a 150-person company, each analyst owns a meaningful slice of the financial record, so the ability to maintain rigorous accuracy while managing competing deadlines is non-negotiable. This goes beyond general attention to detail to include a proactive mindset about data integrity.
• Cross-Functional Communication with Non-Finance Stakeholders: At Riverbend, the Finance Analyst must translate complex cost data and program financials into actionable information for program managers, operations leaders, and executives who are not finance professionals. In a small defense manufacturer, Finance serves as a business partner to engineering, production, and contracts — not just a back-office function. A candidate who can only communicate within Finance will limit the team's strategic impact.
• Continuous Improvement Orientation in Process-Heavy Environments: Riverbend's Finance team supports a regulated manufacturing operation where many financial processes — cost reporting, overhead calculations, contract billing — follow strict but often manual workflows. A candidate who accepts inherited processes without question will maintain the status quo, while a great candidate will identify inefficiencies, build better models, and improve reporting capabilities. In a lean 150-person team, process improvements have outsized impact.
  
  

About Riverbend Energetics

Riverbend Energetics is a defense and industrial manufacturer based in Alton, IL. We develop and produce energetic materials and specialty munitions for U.S. defense and allied customers. Our mission-critical work demands precision, safety, and a commitment to excellence.